Mechanical Engineering Design for Extreme Environment Test Chamber

The contract seeks the development of a conceptual mechanical design for a Venus Test Chamber engineered to operate under extreme conditions of 92 atmospheres of pressure and 462 degrees Celsius temperature. The work requires detailed materials selection capable of resisting thermal degradation and high-pressure deformation, alongside a robust pressure vessel design that ensures long-term structural integrity under these harsh environmental conditions. Comprehensive structural analysis must be included to validate the chamber’s ability to safely contain and simulate Venus-like surface conditions without failure. The design must account for thermal expansion, material creep, stress concentrations, and potential failure modes under sustained extreme loads. Performance validation through analytical modeling and simulation is expected, with deliverables focused on conceptual schematics, material specifications, and integrity assessments. The solicitation is issued as a subcontract under NAICS code 332999 by the NASA Shared Services Center on behalf of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with proposals due by August 12, 2026, and no set-aside restrictions specified. Performance is expected to align with NASA’s objectives for planetary simulation and space exploration technology development.