{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":94607,"title":"High-Resolution Scanning of Sub-Surface Lunar Water with Mobile Neutron Energy Spectrometer","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10722,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10721,"level":3,"code":"TX07.1.1","title":"Destination Reconnaissance and Resource Assessment","definition":"Destination reconnaissance and resource assessment technologies characterize, sample, and map the surface environment to quantify the locations and abundances of material and energy resources accessible from the surface. Orbital remote sensing or deployed surface devices and instruments are used to probe, sample, and analyze possible dynamic atmospheric and surface/subsurface material composition and physical/chemical properties. This mapping includes the combination of environmental, terrain, geological, and resource information to estimate accessibility and plan extraction operations.","exampleTechnologies":"Instruments and devices to: detect, locate, and quantify specific surface and subsurface chemical species (such as water or other high-value elements or minerals); determine properties of the destination atmosphere including composition, dynamic behavior, and other environmental factors related to utilization of atmospheric resources; measure geotechnical (mechanical) properties of the destination surface and subsurface for assessments of resource accessibility; assess or measure interactions between the surface environment and exploration capabilities (e.g. rocket plumes) that may affect resource accessibility; and models and simulate to extend discrete-site resource sampling into a broader mapping of accessible resources","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":6,"endTrl":6,"benefits":"A compact, low-power neutron energy spectrometer (NES) would accurately measure the radiation dose to astronauts. The proposed NES can measure neutron dose to higher accuracy than existing technologies, which are bulky (7-12 kg) and can suffer poor inaccuracy (>50%) because these instruments cannot differentiate thermal, epithermal, or fast neutrons from each other. A multi-channel NES would achieve improved accuracy by including neutron energy information and reducing weight.
The original NES was developed to replace aging neutron dosimeters used aboard nuclear naval vessels for the Dept. of Defense. Surveys of ships are conducted to ensure that radiation levels do not pose a danger to the crew. A handheld NES would provide more accurate feedback and be less burdensome to the operator. Similarly, an improved dosimeter is desired at the Dept. of Energy nuclear reactor locations, such as Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility, where operation of the reactor varies.","description":"This proposal describes a mobile solid-state Neutron Energy Spectrometer (NES) for lunar soil moisture determination. Cosmic-ray interactions within the lunar soil will yield secondary neutrons and protons, among other particles. The produced neutrons will travel within the soil, scattering off of materials such as hydrogen. Interactions with hydrogen will greatly reduce the energy of the neutrons, causing a measurable depression of epithermal neutrons. A measurement of the ratio between thermal and epithermal neutrons can therefore yield an understanding of the hydrogen content of the soil. A previous collaboration between Radiation Detection Technologies, Inc. (RDT), Kansas State University (KSU), and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed and produced an instrument which is capable of accurately measuring the hydrogen content of soil based on neutron emissions from the surface. The TRL 3 instrument utilizes alternating layers of neutron moderator (HDPE) and solid-state neutron detectors, with each incremental detector layer more sensitive to higher-energy neutrons than the previous. The NES can effectively scan for water at the lunar surface from zero altitude, which allows for unmatched spatial resolution. Proposed in Phase I, existing computational models will be refined and validated using the existing NES in real-world measurements. The updated computational models will be used to design a space-worthy instrument that will serve the purpose of determining the moisture content of the lunar soil. An early feasibility study will be conducted to determine what weaknesses exist in the present design in terms of survivability of the instrument under the worst of lunar conditions. In Phase II, the proposed assembly will be developed to TRL 6, wherein a roving prototype will be built and tested.","startYear":2018,"startMonth":7,"endYear":2019,"endMonth":2,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":446994,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Steven","lastName":"Bellinger","fullName":"Steven L Bellinger","fullNameInverted":"Bellinger, Steven L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"bellinger@radectech.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 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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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