Rapid Analysis and Manufacturing Propulsion Technology (RAMPT)

NASA's strategic plan calls for the development of enabling technologies, improved production methods, and advanced design and analysis tools related to the agency's objectives to expand human presence in the solar system. NASA seeks to advance exploration, science, innovation, benefits to humanity, and international collaboration, as well as facilitate and utilize U.S. commercial capabilities to deliver cargo and crew to space

Low Cost Upper Stage-Class Propulsion

No abstract availabl

Rapid Analysis and Manufacturing Propulsion Technology (RAMPT)

The RAMPT project is maturing novel design and manufacturing technologies to increase scale, significantly reduce cost, and improve performance for regeneratively-cooled thrust chamber assemblies, specifically the combustion chamber and nozzle for government and industry programs

Additively Manufactured Oxidizer Turbopump

Additive Manufacturing, or 3D printing, is a key technology for enhancing rocket engine designs and making them more affordable for future exploration missions. The Oxidzer Turbopump (OTP) offers the ability to demonstrate additively manufactured rotating, vaned, and critical pressure vessel components in relevant oxygen turbopump environments. The additively manufactured components of the OTP include the main housings, impeller, and turbine components. A key technology development goal is to understand the benefits and limitations of additive manufacturing as it applies to the complex geometries needed for a rocket engine turbopump

Advanced Manufacturing Technology

No abstract availabl

Composite Technology for Exploration (CTE)

The CTE project is developing and demonstrating weight-saving, performance-enhancing composite bonded joint technology by incorporating materials characterization studies into the design, manufacturing, and testing of lightweight composite bonded joint concepts for SLS-scale applications. The project is advancing current high-fidelity analysis tools and standards for improvements in the prediction of failure and residual strength of bonded joints

Composites for Exploration Upper Stage

No abstract availabl

Additive Construction with Mobile Emplacement (ACME)

No abstract availabl

Composite Cryotank Technologies and Demonstration

No abstract availabl

Novel Space-based Solar Power Technologies and Architectures for Earth and Beyond

Research, development and studies of novel space-based solar power systems, technologies and architectures for Earth and beyond are needed to reduce the cost of clean electrical power for terrestrial use and to provide a stepping stone for providing an abundance of power in space, i.e., manufacturing facilities, tourist facilities, delivery of power between objects in space, and between space and surface sites. The architectures, technologies and systems needed for space to Earth applications may also be used for in-space applications. Advances in key technologies, i.e., power generation, power management and distribution, power beaming and conversion of beamed power are needed to achieve the objectives of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications. Power beaming or wireless power transmission (WPT) can involve lasers or microwaves along with the associated power interfaces. Microwave and laser transmission techniques have been studied with several promising approaches to safe and efficient WPT identified. These investigations have included microwave phased array transmitters, as well as laser transmission and associated optics. There is a need to produce "proof-of-concept" validation of critical WPT technologies for both the near-term, as well as far-term applications. Investments may be harvested in near-term beam safe demonstrations of commercial WPT applications. Receiving sites (users) include ground-based stations for terrestrial electrical power, orbital sites to provide power for satellites and other platforms, future space elevator systems, space vehicle propulsion, and space to surface sites. This paper briefly discusses achieving a promising approach to the solar power generation and beamed power conversion. The approach is based on a unique high-power solar concentrator array called Stretched Lens Array (SLA) for both solar power generation and beamed power conversion. Since both versions (solar and laser) of SLA use many identical components (only the photovoltaic cells need to be different), economies of manufacturing and scale may be realized by using SLA on both ends of the laser power beaming system in a space solar power application. Near-term uses of this SLA-laser-SLA system may include terrestrial and space exploration in near Earth space. Later uses may include beamed power for bases or vehicles on Mars