NASA Chooses Submissions on Ultra-Lightweight Materials for Expeditions to Mars and Beyond

NASA has chosen three proposals to develop and manufacture ultra-lightweight materials for future aerospace vehicles and structures. These proposals will advance technologies that will allow NASA to reduce the weight of spacecraft by 40 percent for deep space exploration.According to Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, lightweight and multifunctional materials and structures are a top priority for the agency. These advanced technologies are crucial for launching stronger yet lighter spacecraft and components as NASA aims to explore asteroids and eventually Mars.

The ULW materials being developed by NASA differ significantly from traditional composite sandwich structures, which typically use honeycomb or foam cores. These new materials are expected to significantly decrease the overall mass of spacecraft.The Phase I awards for this project are worth up to $550,000, providing funding for 13 months to produce 12-by-12-by-1-inch ULW core panels. Technologies that progress to Phase II will demonstrate the ability to scale up to 2-feet by 2-feet by 1-inch panels, and ultimately produce 10-feet by 11-feet by 1-inch ULW core panels. NASA will provide up to $2 million per award for up to 18 months during Phase II.

The three awards selected for contract negotiations are:

• HRL Laboratories LLC of Malibu, California: Ultralight Micro-truss Cores for Space Launch Systems
• ATK Space Systems LLC of Magna, Utah: Game Changing Technology Development Program Ultra-Light Weight Core Materials for Efficient Load Bearing Composite Sandwich Structures
• Dynetics Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama: Ultra-Lightweight Core Materials for Efficient Load-Bearing Composite Sandwich Structures

Proposals for this solicitation were received from NASA centers, universities and industry. NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, manages the Game Changing Development Program for STMD. For more information about STMD, the Game Changing Development Program and crosscutting space technology areas of interest to NASA

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