{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":93458,"title":"Efficient Composite Repair Methods for Launch Vehicles","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10856,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10855,"level":3,"code":"TX12.1.1","title":"Lightweight Structural Materials","definition":"Lightweight structural materials reduce the mass and increase the efficiency of structures and structure components including advanced metallics, nanomaterials, polymers, matrix composites, multifunctional materials, damage detecting/damage tolerant materials, and self-repairing/self-healing materials.","exampleTechnologies":"Nanofibers, fibers, resins and adhesives that enable the tailoring of large monolithic structures; materials that perform multiple functions, materials that include mechanisms for fast, in-situ repairs; topology optimized structures; architectured foams; novel low density metal; composite alloys","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"Luna's composite repair system will be directly applicable to launch pad damage mitigation activities for current and future launch vehicles. Ground processing operators will be able to identify the damage that will require patching and Luna's technology will enable rapid surface preparation, patch bonding, vacuum debulking and consolidation without the need for complicated tooling or equipment. This should dramatically reduce time and energy costs while maintaining high probabilities of mission success.
Luna's technology is applicable to a wide range of composite material systems, manufacturing methods, and applications. The barrier and curative approaches can be adapted to prepreg systems that would have prolonged room temperature storage capability with the ability to be quickly cured, out of autoclave and on-demand. The impact of these systems on the broad composite commercial market could be enormous. A good example where the technology would be directly applicable and would make a dramatic impact is the military and commercial aerospace industry, where optimal performance is required of structural components for the absolute maximum weight savings.","description":"Polymer matrix composites are increasingly replacing traditional metallic materials in NASA launch vehicles. However, the repair and subsequent inspection methods for these materials are considerably more complicated. Typically, a composite laminate patch must be manually fabricated and bonded or co-cured to the damaged structure. To ensure high quality patches with sufficient compaction and low void content, significant time, preparation and equipment is required. Current surface preparations require time consuming labor and can be a risk for further damage. The ideal repair methodology would allow for a rapid structural repair to be performed on-site in locations with minimal access and without the need for extensive tooling, surface prep, cure times and complicated inspection techniques. Engineers at Luna have developed a number of technologies that have the potential to enable high performance composite repair and inspection during pre-launch ground processing. Luna's comprehensive system will realize improvements via facile surface preparation, reduction of specialized fabrication equipment, rapid-on-demand curing resins and utilization of Luna's unique fiber optic measurement capability for monitoring repair state. This Phase I program will focus on developing these methods for composite damage that can be performed during ground processing of the launch vehicle without the need for full replacement","startYear":2017,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2018,"endMonth":6,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":97983,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Daniel","lastName":"Metrey","fullName":"Daniel Metrey","fullNameInverted":"Metrey, Daniel","primaryEmail":"Metreyd@Lunainc.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":424189,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Sarah","lastName":"Cox","fullName":"Sarah B Cox","fullNameInverted":"Cox, Sarah B","middleInitial":"B","primaryEmail":"sarah.b.cox@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":299957,"fileName":"STTR_2017_1_BC_T12.02-9846","fileSize":77556,"objectId":296495,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"75.7 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":299957,"fileName":"STTR_2017_1_BC_T12.02-9846","fileSize":77556,"objectId":296495,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"75.7 KB"}],"id":296495,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"Efficient Composite Repair Methods for Launch Vehicles, Phase I Briefing Chart","libraryItemTypeId":1222,"projectId":93458,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1222,"code":"DOCUMENT","description":"Document","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}},{"caption":"Efficient Composite Repair Methods for Launch Vehicles, Phase I Briefing Chart Image","file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":303721,"fileName":"STTR_2017_1_BC_T12.02-9846","fileSize":60936,"objectId":300271,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"59.5 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":303721,"fileName":"STTR_2017_1_BC_T12.02-9846","fileSize":60936,"objectId":300271,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"59.5 KB"}],"id":300271,"title":"Briefing Chart Image","description":"Efficient Composite Repair Methods for Launch Vehicles, Phase I Briefing Chart Image","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":93458,"primary":true,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":69598,"projectId":93458,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2018-09-01","path":"Advanced To","relatedProjectId":95007,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":95007,"title":"Efficient Composite Repair Methods for Launch Vehicles","startTrl":4,"currentTrl":6,"endTrl":6,"benefits":"Luna’s composite repair system will be directly applicable to launch pad damage mitigation activities for current and future launch vehicles. Ground processing operators will be able to identify the damage that will require patching and Luna’s technology will enable rapid surface preparation, patch bonding, vacuum debulking and consolidation without the need for complicated tooling or equipment. This should dramatically reduce time and energy costs while maintaining high probabilities of mission success.
Luna’s technology is applicable to a wide range of composite material systems, manufacturing methods, and applications. The barrier and curative approaches can be adapted to prepreg systems that would have prolonged room temperature storage capability with the ability to be quickly cured, out of autoclave and on-demand. The impact of these systems on the broad composite commercial market could be enormous.","description":"Polymer matrix composites are increasingly replacing traditional metallic materials in NASA launch vehicles due to high strength to weight ratio, manipulative properties, and corrosion resistance. However, the inspection and repair methods for these materials are considerably more complicated. For aerospace platform repairs, a composite laminate patch must be manually fabricated on-site and then bonded to the damaged structure. Prior to the bonding or co-curing, a vacuum debulk process is performed on the lay-up, requiring a separate piece of support equipment. The ideal method would allow for a rapid structural repair to be performed in locations with minimal access without the need for extensive tooling, surface prep, cure times and complicated techniques. In Phase I, engineers at Luna demonstrated a comprehensive system that included facile surface preparation, single-bag out of autoclave processing and Luna’s unique fiber optic measurement capability for monitoring repair state. This Phase II program will focus on optimizing these methods for launch vehicle composite damage that can be performed during ground processing of the launch vehicle without the need for full replacement. It is expected that the technology will meet NASA launch vehicle requirements and demonstrate potential for in-situ repairs to spacecraft on long missions.","startYear":2018,"startMonth":9,"endYear":2021,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
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
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":509,"endDateString":"Dec 2021","startDateString":"Sep 2018"},"infoText":"Advanced within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Efficient Composite Repair Methods for Launch Vehicles)","dateText":"September 2018"}],"primaryImage":{"file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":303721,"fileSizeString":"0 Byte"},"id":300271,"description":"Efficient Composite Repair Methods for Launch Vehicles, Phase I Briefing Chart Image","projectId":93458,"publishedDateString":""},"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"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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