You are here

Space Qualified Non-Destructive Evaluation and Structural Health Monitoring Technology

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNL05AA44C
Agency Tracking Number: 030201
Amount: $100,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: T7.02
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2003
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2005-09-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2007-09-15
Small Business Information
2780 Skypark Drive, Suite 400
Torrance, CA 90505-7519
United States
DUNS: 106823607
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Shiv Joshi
 Principal Investigator
 (310) 891-2807
 sjoshi@nextgenaero.com
Business Contact
 Jayanth Kudva
Title: President
Phone: (310) 891-2807
Email: jkudva@nextgenaero.com
Research Institution
 University of South Carolina
 Victor Giurgiutiu
 
901 Sumter St, Byrnes Intl 5th Fl
Columbia, SC 29208
United States

 (803) 777-8018
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Encouraged by Phase I accomplishments, the proposed Phase II program will significantly mature and align the development of a Space Qualified Non-Destructive Evaluation & Health Monitoring system with the needs of NASA. We are systematically working to improve the TRL to 5 at the end of Phase II and formulate commercialization and product development strategy beyond Phase II.

The proposed health monitoring system features three innovative technologies: excitation of preferential Lamb/Rayleigh wave modes; utilization of phased array concepts; and utilization of software algorithms rather than hardware for beam forming and signal analysis. The ability to detect cracks, corrosion, disbonds, and cracks under bolts for a stiffened panel was demonstrated in Phase I. The detection methods used were pitch-catch, pulse-echo, phased array, and electromechanical impedance.

To efficiently and cost-effectively achieve Phase II objectives, NextGen has teamed with Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Michoud Operations to test the proposed system in realistic environment. A cryogenic, composite LOX tank, built by Lockheed Martin for the X-34, is currently in a test fixture at NASA Marshall and will be used for evaluating our system. Additional tests will be performed to validate the durability and survivability of the system for space certification.

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

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government