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High Spatial Resolution shape Sensing for Adaptive Aerospace Vehicles

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNL04AB25P
Agency Tracking Number: 035972
Amount: $69,992.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A7.01
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2003
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-01-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2004-07-19
Small Business Information
2851 Commerce Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060-6657
United States
DUNS: 627132913
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Roger Duncan
 Principal Investigator
 (540) 557-5893
 duncanr@lunainnovations.com
Business Contact
 Garnett Linkous
Title: Chief Administrative Officer
Phone: (540) 953-4274
Email: linkousg@lunainnovations.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

It is accepted that adaptive aerospace vehicles whose flight avionic systems are reconfigurable are needed to respond to changing flight parameters, vehicle system performance degradation, or external threat environments. To this end shape modification of aerospace structures during flight can provide significant performance improvements derived from matching the aerodynamic shape to particular flight conditions. To address this need, new sensor technologies are required for both R & D testing and operational deployment that permit high observability into the shapes generated.

Luna Innovations proposes to develop high-spatial resolution distributed fiber-optic shape sensors to provide feedback as part of a closed-loop control system for vehicles with yadaptivey attributes (i.e. y ysmarty wings, etc.). These shape sensors, when embedded in aircraft wings or other structures of interest, will monitor the dynamic shape of the structure independent of the temperature or load environment, thus enabling real-time active control of reconfigurable avionics. By providing a reliable, low cost, lightweight feedback mechanism, the risks associated with employing smart vehicle technology are substantially mitigated.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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