Variable Gravity Sample Preparation and Analysis

The Biological and Physical Sciences Division (BPS) within NASA's SMD sponsors long-duration microgravity research aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Experimental samples traditionally have been prepared in ground-based laboratories and launched to the ISS where experiments are conducted. Limited analyses of test samples can be conducted aboard the ISS, but most experiments require preserving, storing, and returning the samples to Earth where detailed analyses are conducted. Consequently, the pace of scientific discovery has been sluggish due to the inability to quickly conduct the iterative process of research that includes the ability to either synthesize or adjust sample composition on-orbit based on real-time diagnostic measurements. As such, BPS has established a Rapid Low Earth Orbit Science Goal [1] to develop new capabilities that provide on-orbit analysis, in-situ measurements, and sample and experiment preparation to allow for on-orbit iterative science to be conducted by trained crew. With the pending retirement of the ISS, other means of conducting low gravity research in the space environment and making their critical measurements need to be considered. Over the last several years, 2860 smallsats (those having a mass less than 1200 kg) compromised 97% of all spacecraft launched in 2023. Nearly 1000 smallsats that were launched that year had a mass less than 10 kg [2]. Research on these platforms needs to accommodate, power, propulsion, data acquisition and control, telemetry, and the actual experiment and its instrumentation. NASA's exploration mission is currently focused on lunar exploration. Not only is fundamental research needed to develop effective solutions to the engineering challenges associated with a sustained human presence on the lunar surface, the ability to conduct investigations on the lunar surface provides an opportunity to examine phenomena at an intermediary gravity level. Typical payloads envisioned for payload and research investigations on the lunar surface are constrained to weigh no more 50 kg, require less than 25 watts of steady-state power, and use less than 200 watts of startup power from a 28 VDC source. Data telemetry rates will average about 300 kbps. Technologies are sought to enable and advance the in situ analysis of samples in the low gravity environment, either in low Earth orbit (LEO) or beyond low Earth orbit (BLEO). Proposals must identify a science research diagnostic capability for biological or physical science (combustion, fluid physics, material science or soft matter) research and the relevance of the hardware capabilities to measuring the desired research phenomena. The proposal must identify the potential size, weight, and power envelope of the technology and benefits of this technique over other existing methods. They must also identify one or more target platforms among the following: Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), lunar lander, Lunar Gateway, free-flyer, Artemis, ISS, Commercial Low earth orbit Destinations (CLD).