Recovery of In-Space Cubesat Experiments (RICE)

ELORET Corporation, in collaboration with the Space Systems Design Laboratory of Georgia Institute of Technology, proposes developing and demonstrating a capability/technology to de-orbit small payloads (approximately 1 kg) from Low-Earth Orbit and returning them to Earth safely. To achieve this goal, the current proposal has five objectives and associated tasks: 1. Surveying the Bio-science communities to define requirements for the first generation mission architecture. 2. Understanding the launch interface requirements such as mass, volume, vibro-acoustic loads, electromagnetic interference (EMI), etc. 3. Designing and developing the first generation of mission architectures including the key aspects of launch, in-space operation, entry trajectory analysis (EDL sequence), and landing/recovery. 4. Understanding and quantifying small spacecraft requirements for power, thermal control, communications, propulsion, etc., and developing the preliminary design of the spacecraft system using off the shelf technologies whenever possible. 5. Designing and developing a passive (i.e., without any chemical or aerodynamic deceleration devices), single-stage ballistic entry system (including the aeroshell). 6. Designing and developing the impact energy absorption system and thermal control system required for payload thermal management and survivability upon landing.

The potential non-NASA applications is: 1. Low-cost, customizable, launch-to-recovery flight platforms for Life-/Bio-science experiments

There are three potential NASA applications: 1. Launch and recovery of small payloads (science experiments performed in microgravity environments in Low Earth Orbits) 2. Instrumented flight test bed for novel Thermal Protection System materials/concepts 3. Materials research in space environments

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.

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.