{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":90271,"title":"Unified In-Space Propulsion Framework for Prediction of Plume-Induced Spacecraft Environments","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10535,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10533,"level":3,"code":"TX01.1.2","title":"Earth Storable","definition":"Earth storable propellants remain stable over a range of Earth terrestrial pressures and temperatures and can be stored in a closed vessel for long periods of time.","exampleTechnologies":"Kerosene, hydrazine, monomethyl hydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, nitrogen tetroxide mixed oxides of nitrogen, green propellants (e.g., LMP-103S, AF-315E, etc.), water, ionic liquids, ammonium dinitramide (ADN)-based propellants, Hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN)-based propellants","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":5,"endTrl":5,"benefits":"The proposed computational architecture for prediction of plume flow impingement and contaminant dispersal through mixed continuum-rarefied flow environments combines multiple novel computational approaches into one unified simulation environment. This technology will be highly beneficial to NASA and its contractors for prediction and analysis of contaminants and particulate transport and interaction in near-vacuum conditions for in-space propulsion applications. Direct benefits include risk reduction through improved fidelity simulations of thruster plume molecular and droplet contamination reaching spacecraft surface insulation, optical sensors and sensitive instruments. Direct NASA applications include supporting spacecraft design with most advantageous thruster placement and design mitigation measures such as shielding through simulation based engineering. Other NASA applications include simulation of effectiveness of RCS thrusters in reentry capsule rarefied wake region.
Potential Non-NASA government and commercial applications include, assessment of thruster plume induced environments on commercial and military spacecraft, predicting the impact of particles scattered from thruster plumes on ballistic missile and missile interceptor signatures, and optimization of commercial satellite operational life through contamination minimization.","description":"Chemical contamination of spacecraft components as well as thermal and force loading from firing liquid propellant thrusters are critical concerns for in-space propulsion applications. Gas molecular contamination and liquid droplet deposition due to incomplete combustion threaten to damage surface materials, sensitive instruments and optical sensors, and poses major risks for mission success. Liquid propellant thrusters operate in space at near-vacuum conditions, and contaminants traverse a complex mixed continuum-rarefied environment upon exiting the thruster nozzle. Current CFD modeling capabilities for in-space propulsion analysis have made great strides, but fall short of providing the fidelity required to simulate the contaminant transport around the spacecraft with sufficient efficiency and accuracy. This STTR will develop and deliver an innovative computational architecture for prediction of plume flow impingement and contaminant dispersal through mixed flow environments for in-space propulsion analysis. CFDRC will supplement the massively parallel Loci framework with a highly accurate unified solver for prediction of mixed continuum-rarefied flows with contaminant dispersal. This will enable better understanding and prediction of thermal and force loading and contamination of spacecraft components, and enable design of a new era of safer next-generation in-space propulsion systems. Phase I will demonstrate improved modeling fidelity and provide great insight into in-space thruster plume contaminant environments. Phase II will bring the complete predictive capabilities to production for detailed investigations into contaminant environments for full spacecraft configurations.","startYear":2016,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2017,"endMonth":6,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":384080,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Ranjan","lastName":"Mehta","fullName":"Ranjan Mehta","fullNameInverted":"Mehta, Ranjan","primaryEmail":"rsm@cfdrc.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":3251535,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jeffrey","lastName":"West","fullName":"Jeffrey West","fullNameInverted":"West, Jeffrey","primaryEmail":"Jeffrey.S.West@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":303880,"fileName":"STTR_2016_1_BC_T1.02-9828","fileSize":424905,"objectId":300430,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"414.9 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":303880,"fileName":"STTR_2016_1_BC_T1.02-9828","fileSize":424905,"objectId":300430,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"414.9 KB"}],"id":300430,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"Unified In-Space Propulsion Framework for Prediction of Plume-Induced Spacecraft Environments, Phase I","libraryItemTypeId":1222,"projectId":90271,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1222,"code":"DOCUMENT","description":"Document","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}},{"caption":"Unified In-Space Propulsion Framework for Prediction of Plume-Induced Spacecraft Environments, Phase I","file":{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":292572,"fileName":"STTR_2016_1_BC_T1.02-9828","fileSize":408124,"objectId":289089,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"398.6 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":292572,"fileName":"STTR_2016_1_BC_T1.02-9828","fileSize":408124,"objectId":289089,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"398.6 KB"}],"id":289089,"title":"Briefing Chart Image","description":"Unified In-Space Propulsion Framework for Prediction of Plume-Induced Spacecraft Environments, Phase I","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":90271,"primary":true,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":67130,"projectId":90271,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2017-09-01","path":"Advanced To","relatedProjectId":101936,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":101936,"title":"Unified In-Space Propulsion Framework for Prediction of Plume-Induced Spacecraft Environments","startTrl":3,"currentTrl":7,"endTrl":7,"benefits":"The proposed computational architecture for prediction of plume flow impingement and contaminant dispersal through mixed continuum-rarefied flow environments combines multiple novel computational approaches into one unified simulation environment. 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The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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