DLR's COMARS+ sensor suite for New Frontiers-4 and Discovery Competed Missions - Phase A Development

Backshell instrumentation requirements, interface definitions, and integration constraints provided by the Phase A team(s) will be used by this project and DLR to refine the compatibility assessment of COMARS+. DLR will provide the Phase A team(s) with detailed COMARS+ specifications that meet these requirements. We will also develop a project plan for implementation that anticipates the requirements and schedule DLR must meet to integrate sensors in the selected NF-4 mission. Finally, we will coordinate with NASA OIIR and DLR to develop the draft agreement and secure institutional commitments enabling DLR to ultimately integrate COMARS+ at no cost to NASA.

Leveraging DLR's investment through collaboration enables inclusion of their flight instrumentation and yields clears benefits to both NASA and DLR. Data recorded during entry will be used to validate aeroheating predictive tools, ultimately benefitting future NASA missions by reducing risk in thermal protection system designs. NASA also will save resources otherwise needed for instrumentation development. DLR will benefit from direct involvement with a NASA mission and receive flight data in exchange. DLR's instrumentation would also be considered for other missions and destinations.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.