Deep Space Engine (Previously Bipropellant In-Space Engine - ISE 100)

Advancing deep space thruster technology of MON25/MMH bi-propellant. MON25/MMH has never been flown in space, however this technology allows us to build lighter, physically smaller, and cheaper engines that can operate at much colder environments than previously flown. Propellant that can operate at colder temperatures requires less power for propellant conditioning in deep space, thus lowering battery mass requirements. This technology provides more payload volume, power, and mass for deep space missions than currently available. The MON25/MMH thrusters are baselined to fly demonstration missions on the commercial CATALYST partner, Astrobotic, lunar lander as well as the NASA Resource Prospector Mission Lander. The objective is to fly the Astrobotic lander by December 2019.

NASA Funded: Enhances thrust/performance capability for Resource Prospector and future missions. NASA Unfunded: Enables larger science payloads because thruster is lighter, smaller and lower cost than other engines in its class. OGA: Provides a lighter, smaller, less expensive main engine option for any government project that operates in the space environment. Industry: Astrobotic Technolgy, a Lunar CATALYST company has baselined this engine for their Pergrine lander. ISE-100 will provide a very attractive thruster option to industry because of its reduced size, mass and cost. Nation: Promotes NASA's mission to explore new destinations, with high performance that is attractive economiccally.

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.