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Impact-resistant Composite Structures for Spacesuits

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NASA-SBIR-185619SBIR / STTR

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

Composites Automation is partnering with the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials under NASA solicitation NASA-SBIR-185619 to develop impact-resistant composite structures for spacesuit pressure garment subsystems. The project aims to create hard structural components capable of withstanding impact energies exceeding 600J while maintaining leak rates below 0.5LPM. This effort involves developing low-velocity impact testing protocols and evaluating hybrid laminate constructions and fiber metal laminates to achieve a two-fold increase in impact durability compared to current xEMU composite solutions. The research focuses on optimizing composite architectures to ensure survivability under Mars gravity, which is critical for manned missions to Mars. Beyond space exploration, the findings regarding damage tolerance and post-impact mechanical performance are intended to benefit the broader aerospace, automotive, marine, and military sectors. This federal solicitation is designated as a total small business set-aside and is managed by the NASA SBIR/STTR Program.

General Info

Composites Automation and University of Delaware develop impact-resistant spacesuit components for NASA Mars missions.

Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration → NASA SBIR/STTR Program

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Place of Performance

Houston, DE, 77058, USA

Set-Aside

SBA

Documents

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Timeline

PhaseSolicitation

PostedSep 29

Solicitation

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyNational Aeronautics and Space Administration → NASA SBIR/STTR Program

Contacts4 people available

OfficeUSA

Organization / AgencyNational Aeronautics and Space Administration → NASA SBIR/STTR Program

Office AddressUSA

Contacts

Kristine L DavisProject Manager

contact@example.gov

Roger CranePrincipal Investigator

Jason L KesslerProgram Director

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Carlos TorrezProgram Manager

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Full Description

Composites Automation (CA) is partnering with the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM) to investigate innovative composite material and structure concepts that meet projected Mars impact energy goals of >600J with leak rates < 0.5LPM. The proposed effort focuses on hard structural components in the spacesuit pressure garment subsystem. Low-Velocity Impact (LVI) testing protocols will be developed for higher energies exceeding 600J, while addressing relevance to Spacesuit structural geometries. Material innovations evaluated in this effort include hybrid laminate constructions with interlayers and fiber metal laminates; as well as potential synergistic combinations. Material solutions will be screened under LVI and leak resistance testing. Results from screening will be used to design optimum composite architectures combining select concept(s) for synergistic improvement in impact performance.
Benefits: Increasing damage tolerance of lightweight composite structures to impact loads while maintaining leak resistance under pressure is a key performance metric for space suit hard composite components. The proposed approach will increase impact durability by 2X the current xEMU composite solution. Successful demonstration of impact durability and survivability under Mars gravity is essential to NASA and private space industry goals of manned missions to Mars. Damage tolerant composite structures are used in many applications, including aerospace, automotive and marine composites, and military platforms. Post-impact mechanical performance drives composite design in these applications, such as Compression after Impact or Open-hole Tension/Compression. Mechanical fastening and joining is also common in many of these applications and resistance to damage propagation at fastener holes promotes long-term durability. Concepts/strategies that increase durability, and post-impact performance while retaining lightweight characteristics are of wide-ranging interest in the composites industry.