Solid-state Propulsion for Autonomous Reconnaissance of Karst (SPARK)

SPARK proposes small lighter‑than‑air aerobots that can be deployed by a larger spacecraft to enter and navigate karst terrain and subsurface caves on bodies like Titan, sites of high scientific value that are difficult to explore with current methods. The vehicles would use distributed electrohydrodynamic propulsors (atmospheric ion thrusters) that are solid‑state and nearly silent, providing omnidirectional maneuverability with minimal downwash. While electrohydrodynamic thrust is inefficient on Earth, favorable atmospheric conditions on Titan are expected to yield over 100× power savings, at least twice the benefit of rotorcraft, without the need for in‑situ heating to prevent actuator failure at cryogenic temperatures. Small‑scale EHD thrusters could also support high‑altitude station‑keeping or hopper trajectory adjustment on Venus. Phase I work includes initial feasibility experiments and construction of numerical models showing EHD performance in Titan‑like conditions, exploration of EHD thrusters for tethered balloon station‑keeping with tethered power, and focused engineering design‑space studies (including a Science Traceability Matrix and Vehicle Subsystem Trade Study), culminating in a point‑design for a Phase II prototype.

Electrohydrodynamic thrust is not ideal for power-autonomous flights on Earth. In favorable atmospheric conditions like those on Titan, however, we expect power savings of over 100x, at least twice the benefit received by rotorcraft. Favorable plasma inception conditions should also decrease the payload mass required for high voltage conversion compared to Earth, and there is no need for in-situ heating to prevent actuator failure at cryogenic temperatures as with rotors. In addition to independent aerobots, we envision small-scale EHD thrusters as complementary technology for other applications, like long-term high-altitude observer station-keeping or propulsive hopper trajectory adjustment, whenever atmospheric conditions are favorable (e.g., on Venus).

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — 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.

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