Electron Spectrometer Testing and Demonstration for Rocket Altitudes of 100 to 200 km

Completed TRL 5 (started at 5, targeting 5)

Description

Our objective is to test a magnetic electron spectrometer in a simulated vacuum environment for an altitude range of 100-200 km and then to also demonstrate it in flight.

Benefits

Testing the operation of such an instrument, which employees high voltage, for lower altitudes would open up avenues for its use at those altitudes. This is important because such measurements at those altitudes, on board sounding rockets, have not typically been possible.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > In Situ Instruments and Sensors > Field and Particle Detectors
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2024-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Errol J Summerlin — errol.summerlin@nasa.gov
Georgia A De Nolfo — georgia.a.denolfo@nasa.gov
Nikolaos Paschalidis — nikolaos.paschalidis@nasa.gov
Maria Samara — marilia.samara@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.