{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":9649,"title":"An Ultra Low Power Cryo-Refrigerator for Space","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10926,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10923,"level":3,"code":"TX14.1.3","title":"Thermal Conditioning for Sensors, Instruments, and High Efficiency Electric Motors","definition":"This area includes cost-effective, high-efficiency, low-weight/vibration cryocoolers and advanced sub-Kelvin cooling technology; technologies for thermal management for cryogenic applications to unique flight science sensors and instrumentation; and technologies to integrate cryocoolers into superconduction machines and power electronics for electrified aircraft. This area also includes technologies relevant to NASA’s unique wide-ranging science mission and research activities as well.","exampleTechnologies":"Integrated thermal control/parasitics; cryocooler refrigeration below 10 K; cryocooler refrigeration above 10 K; magnetic refrigeration, dilution coolers, multi-stage mechanical coolers, multi-stage passive coolers and Turbo-Brayton cryocoolers; Joule-Thomson effect; solid cryogens heat sink; liquid hydrogen spacecraft dewars; vapor cooling for instruments and storage hardware; solar shields/baffles for spacecraft cryogenic systems; coatings to limit thermal load on spacecraft cryogenic systems; heat rejection; thermal switches; thermal parasitics for cryogenic fluids/ cryocooler systems; emerging applications for cryogenic environments such as low-temperature mechanisms (e.g. planetary exploration); integrated cryocoolers for superconducting motors","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"The proposed cryocooler is compact, efficient, and lightweight, making it ideal as the cold stage of a multi-stage thermal management system. Military applications for this cooling system include space-based surveillance and missile defense, and high-bandwidth, superconducting communication devices. Commercial applications include cooling for communication satellites, superconducting circuits, and cryogenic computers.
The successful completion of this program will provide mission planners with an extremely high performance, lightweight, and compact cryocooler that can meet requirements for multiple missions. The cryocooler is reliable, emits no vibration, and can be used for remote and distributed cooling. The latter feature is expected to reduce size, mass, and costs of the overall payload. The primary application will be for cooling detectors, sensors, shields, and telescopes for space science missions. NASA applications include future astronomical observatories utilizing infrared, far infrared, submillimeter, and X-ray detectors, such as the Wide Field Infrared Survey telescope (WFIRST), Single Aperture Far-IR (SAFIR) telescope, Space Infrared Interferometric Telescope (SPIRIT), Submillimeter Probe of the Evolution of Cosmic Structure (SPECS), and the International X-Ray Observatory (IXO).","description":"Future NASA Space Science Missions will incorporate detectors, sensors, shields, and telescopes that must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures. An enabling technology for these missions is advanced cryocoolers that can provide continuous and distributed cooling with minimal input power. On this program, Creare proposes to develop and demonstrate an innovative cryocooler that produces refrigeration at temperatures of 30 to 70 K and rejects heat at a temperature of 150 to 190 K with extremely high efficiency. The heat rejected can be absorbed by an upper stage cryocooler or rejected to space through a small cryo-radiator. The overall mass of the cryocooler and electronics is 3 kg, the size of the cryocooler is 6 liters, the area of the cryo-radiator is 0.5 square meters and the input power is significantly less than current state-of-the-art cryocoolers. In addition, the cryocooler technology is extremely reliable and scalable, and produces no perceptible vibration. The key innovation is a cryogenic compressor which has heritage to the cryogenic circulator developed by Creare and operated on the Hubble Space Telescope for 6.5 years. On the Phase I project, we will optimize the cryocooler design for a particular mission class and predict the performance of the cryocooler using component-level test data. On the Phase II project, we will build and test a brassboard cryocooler and cryo-radiator. The Phase II testing will be structured to achieve a TRL of 5, and will include testing with a cold-end temperature of 35 K and a heat rejection temperature of 150 K.","startYear":2011,"startMonth":2,"endYear":2011,"endMonth":9,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":314710,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Mark","lastName":"Zagarola","fullName":"Mark Zagarola","fullNameInverted":"Zagarola, Mark","primaryEmail":"mvz@creare.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":397661,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Robert","lastName":"Boyle","fullName":"Robert F Boyle","fullNameInverted":"Boyle, Robert F","middleInitial":"F","primaryEmail":"robert.f.boyle@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":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":68490,"projectId":9649,"transitionDate":"2011-09-01","path":"Closed Out","closeoutDocuments":[{"title":"Final Summary Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":307528,"fileName":"SBIR_2010_1_FSC_S1.07-9544","fileSize":195753,"objectId":68490,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"191.2 KB"},"transitionId":68490,"fileId":307528}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"September 2011"},{"transitionId":68491,"projectId":9649,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2012-04-01","path":"Advanced To","relatedProjectId":9369,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":9369,"title":"An Ultra Low Power Cryo-Refrigerator for Space","startTrl":4,"currentTrl":5,"endTrl":5,"benefits":"The successful completion of this program will provide mission planners with an extremely high performance, lightweight, and compact cryocooler that can meet requirements for a variety of missions. The cryocooler is reliable, emits no vibration, and can be used for remote and distributed cooling. The latter feature is expected to reduce size, mass and costs of the overall payload. The primary application will be for cooling detectors, sensors, shields, and telescopes for space science missions. NASA applications include future satellites, probes and astronomical observatories utilizing superconducting bolometers, and infrared, far infrared, submillimeter and X-ray detectors. Missions include the Jupiter-Europa Orbiter (JEO), Wide Field Infrared Survey telescope (WFIRST), Single Aperture Far-IR (SAFIR) telescope, Space Infrared Interferometric Telescope (SPIRIT), Submillimeter Probe of the Evolution of Cosmic Structure (SPECS), and the International X-Ray Observatory (IXO).
The proposed cryocooler requires minimal input power and is extremely compact making it ideal for small satellites. Military space applications for this cooling system include space-based surveillance for Operationally Responsive Space missions. Terrestrial applications for the military and intelligence community include high speed conventional and quantum supercomputing, RF signal sensing for communications, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence. For these terrestrial applications the cryo-radiator would be replaced with either a stored cryogen or a tactical Stirling cryocooler. The small size and low input power are ideal for mobile applications. Commercial applications include cooling for communication satellites, superconducting circuits, and cryogenic computers.","description":"Future NASA Space Science Missions will incorporate detectors, sensors, shields, and telescopes that must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures. An enabling technology for these missions is advanced cryocoolers that can provide continuous and distributed cooling with minimal input power. On this program, Creare proposes to develop and demonstrate an innovative cryocooler that produces refrigeration at temperatures of 30 to 70 K and rejects heat at a temperature of 150 to 210 K with extremely high efficiency. The heat rejected can be absorbed by an upper stage cryocooler or rejected to space through a small cryo-radiator. The overall mass of the cryocooler, cryo-radiator and electronics is nominally 6 kg, the area of the cryo-radiator is 0.8 m2 and the input power is significantly less than current state-of-the-art cryocoolers. The electronics utilize parts that are tolerant to 300 kRad total ionizing dose. In addition, the cryocooler technology is extremely reliable and scalable, and produces no perceptible vibration. The key innovation is a cryogenic compressor which has heritage to the cryogenic circulator developed by Creare and operated on the Hubble Space Telescope for 6.5 years. On the Phase I project, we optimized the cryocooler design for a particular mission class and predicted the performance of the cryocooler using a combination of analyses and component-level test data. On the Phase II project, we will build and test a demonstration cryocooler and cryo-radiator. The Phase II testing will be structured to achieve a TRL of at least 5, and will include cryogenic performance and launch vibration testing.","startYear":2012,"startMonth":4,"endYear":2014,"endMonth":6,"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":427,"endDateString":"Jun 2014","startDateString":"Apr 2012"},"infoText":"Advanced within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (An Ultra Low Power Cryo-Refrigerator for Space)","dateText":"April 2012"}],"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
","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"},"leadOrganization":{"canUserEdit":false,"city":"Hanover","congressionalDistrict":"New Hampshire 02","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4561,"organizationName":"Creare, LLC","organizationType":"Industry","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"NH","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"New Hampshire","stateTerritoryId":58},"stateTerritoryId":58,"ein":"471021142 ","dunsNumber":"072021041","uei":"JDKYAKDT4TT6","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},"supportingOrganizations":[{"acronym":"GSFC","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Greenbelt","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4947,"organizationName":"Goddard Space Flight Center","organizationType":"NASA_Center","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"MD","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Maryland","stateTerritoryId":3},"stateTerritoryId":3,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"}],"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"MD","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Maryland","stateTerritoryId":3},{"abbreviation":"NH","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"New Hampshire","stateTerritoryId":58}],"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":368,"endDateString":"Sep 2011","startDateString":"Feb 2011"}}