Non-NASA applications include the potential for use on military platforms such as Kinetic Kill Vehicles, as well as adaptation for commercial satellites using hypergolic propellants for orbital maneuvering and station keeping. C3 Propulsion has working relationships with several prime contractors. We can work with them to establish a common set of requirements and system level characteristics to help us guide system design. Involvement of the Phase III customers in the early phase of the project will maximize technology transition potential. Moreover, to increase our technology transition potential we work with businesses specialized in SBIR technology transition like, Vital Strategies, LLC. Their brokerage services help align small business inventiveness with industry technology gaps as corporations make cost-effective responses to key national needs, as well as consumer needs. C3 Propulsion actively protects developed Intellectual Property (IP) and works to maximize the potential impact of our commercialization efforts. We have retained a Patent Agent to ensure that our intellectual property and company trademarks are protected and can yield the maximum commercial benefit. For example, eight patents have been filed with the U.S. Patent Office and are currently under evaluation.
Our goal is to develop a high duty cycle, extended operation CV engine that is at TRL 6 at the end of Phase II. Our strategy to ensure mission pull involves teaming with a leading supplier of in-space propulsion products early in the development process. This will ensure that the technology developed can be easily integrated within the current framework of the future missions of the Science Mission Directorate. Furthermore, we will adopt a rigorous process of design for reliability, maintainability, and supportability early in the development process to ensure a balance of performance with cost and robust operability. Upon successful completion of Phase I demonstration testing, C3 Propulsion will submit further patent applications for the innovative CV engine design. Chemical propulsion will be the workhorse for NASA missions for many years to come and the proposed CV engine technology can play an enabling role in future NASA Science Mission Directorate programs. The CV engine will be specifically designed for use with non-toxic propellants. Its versatile multi-mission capabilities make it applicable for a broad range of missions.
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