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Completed TRL 2 (started at 1, targeting 2)
This study will seek to test and validate an electrostatic gossamer structure to provide radiation shielding. It will provide guidelines for energy requirements, dose reduction and deflection efficiencies, and effective enhancements of dual electrostatic-passive (material) shielding technologies, and 'engineering-feasible' architectures.
The biggest advantage of using active radiation shielding is the significant reduction of biological risks, often unknown, that are always present with the use of bulk material shielding in manned spacecraft due to primary space and secondary, material shield generated radiation.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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