High Operating Temperature Spaceborne Electronics

Micro-Precision Technologies, Inc. (MPT), in partnership with the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM) at Binghamton University, will develop a commercially-ready process for high operating temperature (HOT) spaceborne electronics, combining the ruggedness and reliability of MPT’s thick film ceramic technology with the design freedom of CAMM’s aerosol jet printing technology. The combination of these technologies allows the production of additively manufactured HOT electronics for use in space and terrestrial applications that require extended operation at extreme temperatures up to 800°C.

NASA’s Solar System Exploration requires electronic subsystems and components to sense, collect, process, and communicate data at the Venusian surface that can survive temperatures between 500–800°C for over 1,000 hours. For Venus lander missions like DAVINCI and beyond, new materials and processes must be developed to ensure component reliability in extreme temperature environments. Other NASA missions that will benefit from HOT electronics include mobile instrument platforms such as the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS), atmosphere probes, operational emulators such as the Ocean World Lander Autonomy Testbed (OWLAT), exploration programs such as Moon to Mars and Flight Opps, and the International Space Station (ISS). Relevant NASA Directorates are the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD), Science Mission Directorate (SMD), and Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). Non-NASA applications for HOT electronics target industries requiring operation in harsh environments, such as power generation including nuclear, space exploration, Avionics & Sensors, aerospace, downhole mining, geothermal, and automotive for engine and exhaust sensing.

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.