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Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)
Demonstrate that a tensegrity lander is a low-cost and revolutionary landing concept for exploring icy terrain where landing forces, payload protection and mobility are all integrated into a single structure built only from rods and flexible cables.
The novel lander system is capable of going places where rovers and current landers can't go, for example slopes, crevasses, loose soil/ice. It could be used as a secondary payload that offers redundant mission success, images from a new world (Philae as cautionary tale). Eventually primary landing using tensegrity opens new DV regime vs. airbag- and Skycrane-based approaches, potentially increased science per $.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.
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