Prototyping Tensegrity Landers for Ultra-Low Cost Secondary Payloads on Unknown Terrain, Year 1

The typical assumptions in EDL systems and conventional Tensegrity Systems are that structural elements (bars/cables) are inextensible. This is a good assumption of quasistatic events but does not hold for dynamic events. The first task is to develop a JPL point design for a tensegrity lander system. The full design space of tensegrity structures has not been explored. We will use a secondary, standalone (parasitic), instrument system as a point design for maturing JPL's understanding of tensegrity systems. The end goal is a prototype lander.

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 $.

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.