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Venus Lander Experiment Vessel

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNC07CA27C
Agency Tracking Number: 053385
Amount: $599,922.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: S2.02
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-12-04
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-12-04
Small Business Information
133 Defense Highway, Suite 212
Annapolis, MD 21401-8907
United States
DUNS: 783765670
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Steven Seghi
 Principal Investigator
 (410) 987-3435
 steve@techassess.com
Business Contact
 Sharon Fehrenbacher
Title: CEO
Phone: (410) 224-3710
Email: sharon@techassess.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Ceramic Composites Inc. (CCI) of Millersville, MD in association with Swales Aerospace of Beltsville, MD have evaluated an innovative approach for the design of a Venus probe to maximize the payload volume and mass, while increasing probe lifetime. CCI and Swales have evaluated state-of-the-art materials and concepts to create a combination of thermal management approaches which maximizes value to NASA such as: 1) augmentation of the passive insulation with phase change materials (PCM) and two-phase evaporation cooling to maximize thermal protection at minimal volume and mass, 2) providing system corrosion protection through reverse flow gas balance to prolong vessel, sensor and window life, and 3) replacement of the titanium pressure vessel with a polymer matrix composite to reduce vessel mass and increase payload mass. The analyses conducted in Phase I indicate that the baseline concept will provide a lifetime of approximately 35 earth hours (while also managing a continuous 150W load from the scientific equipment) with a 100kg mass savings compared to a system employing the same thermal management system with a titanium pressure vessel. The Phase II effort will focus on refining the concept; designing, manufacturing, and evaluating a subscale prototype.

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

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