eXploration Potable Water Dispenser Build (xPWD)

The xPWD is a next‑generation Exploration Potable Water Dispenser designed to improve water dispensing capability on the International Space Station (ISS) and serve as a technology pathfinder for Artemis transit and surface habitats. 

The system is a technology demonstration funded by the ISS Exploration Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) Integration Office, targeting improvements over the legacy PWD including:

• Elimination of stagnant “dead‑leg” water loops that drove microbial risk in the original PWD
• Implementation of UV‑LED disinfection to reduce consumables and enable sterilization after dormancy
• Support for increasing ISS crew complements and higher rehydration demand

Core technical objectives are:

• Demonstrate reliable potable‑water dispensing in microgravity using a simplified hydraulic architecture
• Evaluate UV‑LED–based microbial control as a flight‑viable replacement for iodine biocide systems
• Characterize performance after extended dormancy periods, including reactivation procedures and water quality evolution
• Validate automated dispensing hardware and controls, including Data Acquisition (DAQ), solenoid valves, pressure sensing, and button‑press actuators
• Support Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) habitat operations, including Total Organic Carbon (TOC)/Total Inorganic Carbon (TIC) water‑quality trending and microbiology verification

This is a mature technology (TRL 8) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.