Illustration of a conceptual radio telescope inside a crater on the moon. The concept is being studied at an early stage based on the award of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program, but is not a NASA mission. Credit: Vladimir Vustyansky
JPLThe advanced concept Lunar Crater Radio Telescope is one of the projects selected for further research and development.
NASA encourages researchers to develop and study unexpected approaches to travel, understand, and explore through space. To further these goals, the agency has selected seven studies for additional funding – totaling $ 5 million – from the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. The researchers have previously received at least one NIAC award related to their proposals.
“Creativity is the key to future space exploration, and advancing revolutionary ideas that may sound strange will prepare us for new missions and new reconnaissance approaches in the coming decades,” said Jim Reuter, co-administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Directorate. (STMD), said.
NASA selected the proposals through a peer review process that evaluates innovation and technical viability. All projects are still in the early stages of development, and most require a decade or more of technological maturation. They are not considered official NASA missions.
Among the studies is a neutrino detection concept that will receive a $ 2 million Phase III NIAC grant for adult related technology over two years. Neutrinos are one of the most abundant particles in the universe, but they are difficult to study as they rarely deal with matter. Therefore, large and sensitive earth-based detectors are best for detection. Nikolas Solomey of Wichita State University in Kansas suggests something else: a spatial neutrino detector.
“Neutrinos are a tool for ‘seeing’ stars, and a space detector can provide a new window into the structure of our sun and even our galaxy,” said Jason Derleth, CEO of the NIAC program. ” A detector orbiting near the sun can reveal the shape and size of the solar oven in the core. Or by going in the opposite direction, this technology can detect neutrinos of stars in the center of our galaxy. ‘
Solomey’s previous NIAC research showed that the technology could work in space, investigate different flight paths, and develop an early prototype of the neutrino detector. With the Phase III award, Solomey will prepare a flight-ready detector that can be tested on a CubeSat.
In addition, six researchers will each receive $ 500,000 to conduct Phase II NIAC studies for up to two years.
Jeffrey Balcerski with the Ohio Aerospace Institute in Cleveland will continue work on a small “swarm” approach to the spacecraft Venusatmosphere. The concept combines miniature sensors, electronics and communications on fly-like, floating platforms to run for about nine hours in the clouds of Venus. High-quality simulations of deployment and flight will make the design further mature.
Saptarshi Bandyopadhyay, a robot technologist from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, will continue research on a possible radio telescope inside a crater across the Moon. He intends to design a mesh that small climbing robots can use to form a large parabolic reflector. The Phase II study will also focus on refining the capabilities of the telescope and different mission approaches.
Kerry Nock, with the Global Aerospace Corporation in Irwindale, California, will find a possible way to land Pluto and other celestial bodies with low-pressure atmosphere. The concept depends on a large, light retarder that inflates as it approaches the surface. Nock will address the feasibility of the technology, including the riskier components, and determine its overall maturity.
Artur Davoyan, an assistant professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, will study CubeSat sailing sails to explore the solar system and interstellar space. Davoyan will manufacture and test ultra-lightweight sail material capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, investigating structurally sound methods of supporting the sail and exploring two mission concepts.
Lynn Rothschild, a scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California, will investigate ways to grow structures, perhaps for future spatial habitats, from fungi. This phase of research will build on previous techniques for the production, manufacture and testing of mycelium. Rothschild, along with an international team, will test different fungi, growth conditions and pore size on small prototypes under the environmental conditions relevant to the moon and March. The research will also evaluate soil applications, including biodegradable plates and fast, inexpensive structures.
Peter Gural with Trans Astronautica Corporation in Lakeview Terrace, California, will explore a mission concept to find small asteroids faster than current recording methods. A constellation of three spacecraft will use hundreds of small telescopes and image processing on board to conduct a coordinated search for these objects. Phase II aims to age and prove the proposed filter technology.
NIAC supports visionary research ideas through multiple progressive phases of study. In February 2021, NASA announced 16 new proposals for NIAC Phase I. STMD funds NIAC and is responsible for developing the new ongoing technologies and capabilities the agency needs to accomplish its current and future missions.