Advanced Mid-Power Electric Rocket (AMPERE)

Advanced Mid-Power Electric Rocket (AMPERE) is a 16-month study that leverages past NASA R&D investments and commercialization lessons learned to catalyze development of domestic cost-effective mid-power Hall-effect thrusters (HET).  It's objective is to develop a design to enable a domestic commercial product that is cost-effective for industry and capable enough for NASA.

• Addresses an urgent market gap for flight-proven mid-power HETs in which foreign suppliers dominate, with averse national security and geopolitical impacts
• Engages industry stakeholders early during thruster specification formulation and conceptual design to secure commercial buy-in
• Supports extensibility to NASA mission infusion opportunities while avoiding pitfalls that have resulted in limited prior commercialization in previous NASA-led electric propulsion development efforts

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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.