Fiber Optic Sensing for Temperature (FROST) for CFM (FROST)

The Fiber Optic Sensing for Temperature (FROST) system is an advanced, high-resolution cryogenic temperature sensing solution designed to enhance propellant storage, fuel transfer, and structural health monitoring (SHM) for space applications. Unlike traditional point-based sensors (e.g., RTDs, thermocouples, and discrete FBGs), FROST leverages high-definition distributed fiber optic sensing (HD-FOS) to provide continuous temperature measurements along a single fiber strand with sub-millimeter resolution from 350K down to 20K. FROST integrates seamlessly into Type I–V Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs), cryogenic pipelines, fuel transfer lines, and insulation layers, offering real-time temperature mapping, gas/liquid interface detection, and structural monitoring without the need for electrical components inside the cryogenic environment. This innovation is critical for NASA’s long-duration space missions, lunar/Mars ISRU propellant storage, and in-space refueling architectures, reducing boil-off losses, enhancing safety, and improving system efficiency. Funding from the Phase I will be utilized to advance the FROST system through initial prototype demonstration of distributed direct-internal and indirect-external temperature sensing and identify key materials, designs, and manufacturing considerations for Phase II development supporting scalable temperature sensing of Cryogenic Fluid Management systems. Phase I funding ($150,000) will focus on design, prototype development, and validation down to 77K, with Phase II advancing the technology for full-scale integration to 20K. The commercialization strategy will target NASA’s Artemis, Lunar Gateway, and deep-space fuel depot programs, as well as commercial spaceflight and terrestrial applications in hydrogen energy storage, superconducting power systems, and industrial cryogenics. FROST’s scalable, lightweight, and electrically passive design positions it as a breakthrough sensing solution for next-gen. Cryogenic Fluid Management systems

The FROST system directly aligns with NASA’s critical need for advanced cryogenic fluid management (Cryogenic Fluid Management) in support of human and robotic space exploration. NASA's Artemis program, Lunar Gateway, and Mars transit vehicles all require long-term cryogenic propellant storage and transfer solutions, where precise temperature monitoring is essential to reducing boil-off, ensuring safety, and optimizing fuel efficiency. By embedding high-resolution fiber optic sensors within propellant tanks, fuel transfer lines, and thermal insulation layers, FROST enables real-time, multi-point temperature profiling with sub-millimeter spatial resolution—a significant improvement over traditional discrete sensors. This continuous monitoring capability will support in-space refueling depots, nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) cryogenic loops, and ISRU-based cryogenic propellant storage systems on the lunar and Martian surface. Additionally, FROST provides a non-intrusive, electrically passive solution, eliminating ignition hazards in oxygen-rich environments, while offering structural health monitoring (SHM) for cryogenic tanks and pressure vessels. The technology is adaptable to Type I–V COPVs, metallic and composite storage tanks, and flexible cryogenic transfer lines, making it a mission-critical innovation for deep-space fuel storage, cryogenic engine development, and propellant transfer architectures. NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) has identified Cryogenic Fluid Management as a cross-cutting technology for future lunar, Mars, and deep-space exploration, and FROST’s unique capabilities will provide a scalable, flight-qualified solution to meet these needs. Beyond NASA, the FROST system has significant commercial and industrial applications in cryogenic fluid management, hydrogen energy storage, superconducting systems, and industrial gas transport. With the growing adoption of liquid hydrogen (LH₂) as a clean energy carrier, FROST can be integrated into hydrogen fuel storage tanks, pipelines, and refueling infrastructure, ensuring precise temperature monitoring to minimize boil-off losses and enhance safety in high-pressure storage environments. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, ULA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Sierra Space are actively developing cryogenic propulsion and in-space fuel transfer systems, making FROST an attractive solution for commercial spaceflight. Additionally, FROST’s high-resolution temperature sensing is ideal for superconducting power transmission, quantum computing cooling systems, and medical cryogenics, where accurate cryogenic monitoring is essential for system performance and reliability. Other potential applications include liquid natural gas (LNG) transport, high-energy physics experiments, and defense applications for cryogenic weapon systems. With Phase III commercialization funding, FROST is positioned to become a standardized cryogenic temperature sensing solution across NASA, commercial space, and industrial energy markets, delivering safety, efficiency, and system reliability.

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.

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.