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Micro Space Foundry for On-Orbit Recycling and Metal Materials Production

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NASA-SBIR-158670SBIR / STTR

Contract Overview

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

AI Contract Overview

CisLunar Industries is conducting a Phase II-E SBIR/STTR initiative under solicitation NASA-SBIR-158670 to verify and refine the Modular Space Foundry (MSF) hardware for deployment on the International Space Station (ISS). Over a 12-month period, the project focuses on transforming orbital debris and scavenged metal into standardized feedstock, such as rods and wire filament, to support in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. Key technical objectives include completing payload fabrication, executing pre-flight tests with partners Axiom and ZIN Technologies to mitigate failure risks, and installing the hardware on the ISS Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR). The initiative aims to demonstrate sustained microgravity functionality by casting ingots and validating 3D contactless electromagnetic manipulation using the Steer system. The project is supported by a combination of NASA funding for labor and research and private matching funds for material expenses and the commercialization of the MSF and Modular Configurable Electric Power Converter (MCEPC). Beyond the immediate technical goals, the technology provides significant benefits for space sustainability by enabling the production of metal propellant from debris, which reduces transportation costs for station keeping and orbital changes. This effort is applicable to both Department of Defense and commercial missions, with support from industry partners including Astroscale, Nanoracks, and Lockheed. Performance activities are centered in Huntsville, Alabama, and on the ISS, focusing on hardware integration, on-orbit execution, and data analysis to advance space logistics and high-power applications in the space industry.

General Info

CisLunar Industries will test Modular Space Foundry hardware on ISS to recycle orbital debris.

Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration → NASA SBIR/STTR ProgramView Agency

NAICS

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

Place of Performance

Huntsville, AL, 35805, USA

Set-Aside

SBA

Documents

(1)

Z3.03-1339 Micro Space Foundry briefing chart

PDF•briefing-chart

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Uniform Contract Format

Timeline

PhaseSolicitation

PostedMar 7

Solicitation

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyNational Aeronautics and Space Administration → NASA SBIR/STTR Program

Contacts5 people available

OfficeUSA

Organization / Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration → NASA SBIR/STTR Program

View Agency Profile

Office AddressUSA

Contacts

Gary D CalnanPrimary Point of Contact

Ian M HansonProject Manager

contact@example.gov

Joseph PawelskiPrincipal Investigator

Jason L KesslerProgram Director

contact@example.gov

Carlos TorrezProgram Manager

contact@example.gov

Interested Companies (1)

CisLunar Industries USA

Denver, CO

Full Description

This Phase II-E initiative by CisLunar Industries focuses on verifying and refining the Modular Space Foundry (MSF) hardware developed in Phase II for deployment and operation at the International Space Station (ISS) over a period of 12 months. This extension emphasizes hardware compliance, concluding final payload fabrication, executing pre-flight tests to mitigate on-orbit failure risks, preparing ISS launch logistics, and advancing MSF and Modular Configurable Electric Power Converter (MCEPC) commercialization for diverse high-power applications in space logistics and industry. Tasks include hardware integration, preliminary testing, payload fabrication, pre-flight and on-orbit examinations, ground support logistics, data analysis, program management, and commercialization strategies. Collaborative efforts between CisLunar Industries, Axiom, and ZIN Technologies ensure ISS compliance, final payload design, and fabrication, encompassing parabolic flight tests and validation to minimize failure risks pre-ISS launch. The initiative aims to demonstrate sustained microgravity functionality of the MSF, focusing on casting ingots under various parameters and validating 3D contactless electromagnetic manipulation using the Steer system. Additionally, it outlines Phase II-E SBIR/STTR funding for labor, research, and publication, and private matching funds for material expenses and MSF and MCEPC commercialization initiatives. This Phase II-E initiative signifies a crucial step towards refining MSF hardware for ISS utilization and drives commercialization efforts in space technology, enhancing space logistics, and expanding industry applications with innovative power solutions.
Benefits: Metal foundries supply material and enable the manufacture & assembly of orbital platforms which may be used for Maintenance & Repair and assembled on orbit in proximity of other operations requiring Installation & Upgrade or frequent close inspection. Metal propellant is produced on-orbit by CisLunar’s foundries from space debris enabling high efficiency, lower cost transportation for Delivery & Aggregation, station keeping of maintenance platforms, or orbit changes. Refueling is enabled by propellant options provided by the space foundry. The proposed technology has applicability to DoD and commercial missions for transportation, materials, and disposal of space debris. The recent announcement of Orbital Prime with a strong emphasis on debris removal and Space Sustainability demonstrates the immediate viability of the CisLunar Industries Micro Space Foundry. Astroscale, Axiom, Nanoracks, Lockheed, and others support our efforts.