High Temperature Seismometer for Planetary Science Applications

In-situ instrumentation is needed that can withstand the harsh environments imposed by planetary atmospheres in order to make advancements in solar system exploration. Technologies that can withstand the corrosive/caustic gases, radiation levels, stresses, and high temperatures and pressures, while still producing reliable, real-time data are a major facilitator for planetary missions, and extreme environment tolerant in situ technologies are being sought to enable instruments with reduced mass, power, and volume without loss of scientific capability. Specifically, seismometry is key to satisfying a number of priority science questions and strategic research objectives outlined by NASA and the National Research Council Planetary Decadal Survey, notably related to understanding planetary interior composition, volcanic activity, and tectonic processes of Venus and other extreme planetary environments (mercury, etc.). Sporian Microsystems has significant prior experience in the development of ultra-high-temperature sensors for aerospace propulsion and ground power energy generation applications. The long-term objective of the proposed effort is to heavily leverage this prior knowledge and translate it to realize an ultra-high temperature (>1000C/1830F) inertial vibration sensor that can be used in support of seismometry for planetary sciences, specifically Venus applications. Phase I effort will include: 1) working with NASA and industry stakeholders to define system requirements am foster transition; 2) evaluating revised hardware/electronics architectures and designs; and 3) proof of principle testing and demonstration using benchtop-scale prototype hardware. If successful, Sporian will be well positioned for the Phase II efforts focused on full system prototyping and relevant environment testing/demonstration to satisfy NASA’s technical readiness level expectations.

In situ instruments and technologies are essential bases to achieve the SMD's planetary science goals summarized in the Planetary Decadal Survey, and play an indispensable role for NASA’s New Frontiers and Discovery missions to various planetary bodies. Seismometry is key to satisfying a number of priority science questions and strategic research objectives, notably related to understanding planetary interior composition, volcanic activity, and tectonic processes of Venus and other extreme planetary environments. The technology is directly applicable to a planetary exploration mission to Venus since a sensor that does not require cooling will significantly reduce payload weight, volume, and complexity. The extreme high temperature capabilities of the proposed inertial sensor lead to application/customers within a range of additional industries, including: oil and gas exploration, geothermal energy assessment/production, aerospace turbine engine development (both in turbine test cell and on-engine), commercial aerospace, marine propulsion, land vehicle propulsion nuclear reactors, concentrating solar power, land-based power turbine industry, petrochemical refining, the instrumentation and testing community, and research laboratories.

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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