SBIR Sat Technology Developmnent

This SBIR technology demonstration advances two strategically important capabilities: NanoSonic's lightweight graded-Z radiation shielding composites and Advanced Cooling Technologies' 3D Printed Loop Heat Pipe (3DP LHP). The demonstration will provide flight heritage for both technologies by measuring in-space radiation attenuation using NanoSonic's graded-Z shielding and validating the 3DP LHP's steady-state performance, startup behavior, and long-duration cycling. Both technologies address GSFC ETD Technology Roadmap priorities in thermal management and radiation protection. FY26 effort focuses on final design and fabrication oversight, ensuring GSFC retains technical authority over design decisions and maintains continuous technical engagement with partners as they finalize hardware, setting conditions for FY27 integration ramp-up.

Flight-demonstrated radiation shielding achieving 2x dose reduction at half the mass density vs. conventional materials, enabling use of high-performance commercial electronics on mass/power-constrained spacecraft; flight-validated 3DP LHP with order-of-magnitude cost reduction and high-performance thermal transport in low SWAP form factor; removal of flight heritage barrier for mission infusion; enablement of higher-performance Artemis and CLPS payloads; resilient lunar and Martian surface systems; pathway to RTMD/ARTD seed funding and hosted payload opportunities

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.