Multi-Specimen Variable-G Facility for Life and Microgravity Sciences Research

Techshot, Inc. proposes to develop a Multi-specimen Variable-G Facility (MVF) for life and microgravity sciences research. The MVF incorporates a generic multi-specimen sample holder which can be accessed on-orbit, allowing data to be obtained in real-time. Candidate specimens accommodated by the MVF include various cells (e.g. for culturing), aquatics, plants, algae, and invertebrate organisms. More specifically, the generic multi-specimen container can be utilized as a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell culture vessel. It can be used to contain aquatic organisms such as Zebra fish, Medaka, tadpoles, and even developing amphibian eggs. Seedlings, small adult plants (Arabadopsis), and even fern spores could be located within the specimen container. Other possibilities include Algae (Chara), fungi (S. cerevisiae), as well as invertebrate organisms such as C. elegans and Drosophila sp. in very large numbers. MVF's distinct advantage is its capability to provide synchronously controlled 1-G specimens in the same environment as the test specimens. More importantly, the innovative curved-wall sample holders within the MVF provide a constant gravitational force to the samples at all specimen locations. Since the MVF builds upon existing flight-proven technology, the long scientific hardware development cycle will be significantly reduced, translating into higher scientific throughput of ISS.

Building on its expected success with employing MVF to support NASA mission programs, Techshot expects to soon offer flight experiment services to non-NASA customers, including private sector and university researchers. Once commercial space vehicles (e.g. SpaceX, Orbital) begin routinely flying to the ISS, to commercial space stations (e.g. Bigelow), and as free fliers (e.g. DragonLab), the economics of transporting materials to and from space should become much more appealing. MVF is capable of supporting a wide variety of microgravity research for the private sector customer base. It also has the potential for scale up of processing high-value products in the unique environment of space, including large scale cell and tissue growth, and high-value medical-grade materials processing. In addition, several of the unique custom-designed components and subsystems in the MVF have the potential to be used in non-space applications, such as ground-based research laboratories, medical instruments, and industrial testing equipment.

Techshot expects to commercialize the MVF by incorporating it into the company's spaceflight service program that it offers to NASA mission programs, as well as for other Government agencies such as investigators funded by the National Institute of Health Biomed-ISS program. The MVF provides a unique opportunity to increase the basic understanding of the effects of spaceflight on biological systems such as cells, plants, algae, and invertebrate organisms. With the synchronous control, the MVF provides the mechanism to develop critically needed countermeasures to mitigate the negative biological effects of spaceflight on astronauts' health. NASA can further utilize the MVF to test biological response of the spaceflight environment to help determine the regulation of gene expression in these biological systems. Most importantly, the MVF is a unique instrument capable of conducting highly-sought-after cell culturing and tissue growth experiments.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.