Autonomous Paragliders for Martian Landings

Outpost is proposing Phase I research and development including design and manufacturing of a scaled paraglider system to be used in future flight test activities for verification and validation of system performance and scalability. This development effort would focus on the design of a passively stable paraglider system capable of deployment in a low density and pressure environment similar to that of the Martian atmosphere. Successful inflation and stable flight are prerequisites for precision guidance of the paraglider system. The largest risks of deploying a paraglider system at higher altitudes, and therefore lower pressures and densities, are the potential for aggressive surge leading to stall or failure to inflate and insufficient ram pressure for tip inflation.

Outpost will conduct an investigation of suitable parachute system designs, and assessment of any prior testing of complete assemblies showing low altitude or wind tunnel proof of concepts. Outpost will also provide reports documenting analysis and development results, including description of any materials, hardware, or prototypes investigated or developed. The proposed R&D will allow Outpost to provide targeted and guided precision landings in support of commercial logistics and DoD logistics missions through Earth Reentry and down mass.

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.