This Government Contract opportunity from National Aeronautics And Space Administration was posted on September 8, 2025. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Coil-On-Plug Igniter for Reliable Engine Starts (MSC-TOPS-105)
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NASA is offering licensing opportunities for a novel coil-on-plug igniter technology (MSC-TOPS-105), developed at the Johnson Space Center for use with integrated liquid oxygen (LOX)/liquid methane (LCH4) propulsion systems operating in thermal-vacuum environments. This innovation addresses issues related to corona discharge in high-voltage engines by integrating the ignition coil and spark plug into a single unit, thereby reducing the need for bulky coil packs and high-voltage cables, cutting overall mass, and improving reliability. The technology is ready for commercial applications after successful testing with modified off-the-shelf automotive components, and it is aimed at enabling next-generation spacecraft propulsion systems. Companies interested in obtaining license rights—either exclusively or nonexclusively—are invited to apply through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS). The solicitation does not provide NASA funding nor anticipate any follow-on procurement; it is primarily aimed at licensing, manufacturing, and commercialization in the private sector. The deadline for responses is July 17, 2026. Further inquiries can be directed to NASA’s Technology Transfer Program via the provided email, with additional details accessible through the NASA Technology Transfer Portal. This opportunity is part of NASA’s broader initiative to promote commercial use of its technologies and to assess market interest for possible licensing agreements.
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Place of Performance
ALSet-Aside
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Timeline
Submission Closed
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Full Description
9/08/2025 - Updated title to reflect correct TOPS # MSC-TOPS-105 rather than TOPS # MSF-TOPS-105
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NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses.
THE TECHNOLOGY:
Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed a coil-on-plug ignition system for integrated liquid oxygen (LOX)/liquid methane (LCH4) thermal-vacuum environment propulsion systems operating in a thermal vacuum environment. The innovation will help quell corona discharge issues and reduce overall mass. Corona discharge represents a local region surrounding a high-voltage conductor where air has undergone an electrical breakdown and become conductive due to ionization, allowing a charge to leak off the conductor and cause a possible malfunction. NASA worked with commercial vendors to modify off-the-shelf automotive coil-on-plug spark plug systems for use with LOX/LCH4 igniters. The coil-on-plug configuration eliminates the bulky standalone coil-pack and conventional high-voltage spark plug cable by combining the coil and the spark plug into a single component. The test campaign successfully proved that coil-on-plug technology can enable integrated LOX/methane propulsion systems in future spacecraft.
To express interest in this licensing opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/MSC-TOPS-105
If you have any questions, please e-mail NASA’s Technology Transfer Program at contact@example.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this SAM.gov notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/.
These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.
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