NA24OARX021G0041
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Purpose: Development of a Reflectivity Control and Direction Device (RCDD) is proposed.
This innovative device will progress the state of the art for propulsion of solar sails used to fly space weather monitoring sensors for earlier warning times of destructive space weather events.
A Reflectivity Control Device (RCD) utilizes polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material encapsulated between thin layers of clear polyimide film to create a material that can switch between opaque and transparent by applying an electrical voltage across the material.
This RCD will be integrated with a flexible membrane diffraction grating that will change the direction of the incident light transmitted through the RCD.
With this innovation, the device becomes an RCDD with the ability to produce forces on the sail in the sail out-of-plane and in-plane directions.
This ability to produce in-plane and out-of-plane force means that the device can be used to support full six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) control of the spacecraft compared to the RCD which has no roll control authority.
This innovation will eliminate the need for heavy and complex opto-mechanical devices currently used for 6DOF sailcraft control.
The resulting lighter weight of the sailcraft will allow for improved warning time for adverse space weather events.
This innovative device will progress the state of the art for propulsion of solar sails used to fly space weather monitoring sensors for earlier warning times of destructive space weather events.
A Reflectivity Control Device (RCD) utilizes polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material encapsulated between thin layers of clear polyimide film to create a material that can switch between opaque and transparent by applying an electrical voltage across the material.
This RCD will be integrated with a flexible membrane diffraction grating that will change the direction of the incident light transmitted through the RCD.
With this innovation, the device becomes an RCDD with the ability to produce forces on the sail in the sail out-of-plane and in-plane directions.
This ability to produce in-plane and out-of-plane force means that the device can be used to support full six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) control of the spacecraft compared to the RCD which has no roll control authority.
This innovation will eliminate the need for heavy and complex opto-mechanical devices currently used for 6DOF sailcraft control.
The resulting lighter weight of the sailcraft will allow for improved warning time for adverse space weather events.
Awardee
Funding Goals
18 CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION 19 WEATHER-READY NATION 20 HEALTHY OCEANS 21 RESILIENT COASTAL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Huntsville,
Alabama
358241128
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Nexolve Holding Company was awarded
Project Grant NA24OARX021G0041
worth $649,967
from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in September 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Huntsville Alabama United States.
The grant
has a duration of 2 years and
was awarded through assistance program 11.021 NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity FY24 NOAA SBIR Phase II.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase II
Title
Active Material Technology to Improve Solar Sail Performance for Space Weather Monitoring
Abstract
Development of a reflectivity control and direction device (RCDD) is proposed. This innovative device will progress the state of the art for propulsion of solar sails used to fly space weather monitoring sensors for earlier warning times of destructive space weather events. A reflectivity control device (RCD) utilizes polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material encapsulated between thin layers of clear polyimide film to create a material that can switch between opaque and transparent by applying an electrical voltage across the material. This RCD will be integrated with a flexible membrane diffraction grating that will change the direction of the incident light transmitted through the RCD.
With this innovation, the device becomes an RCDD with the ability to produce forces on the sail in the sail out-of-plane and in-plane directions. This ability to produce in-plane and out-of-plane force means that the device can be used to support full six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) control of the spacecraft compared to the RCD which has no roll control authority. This innovation will eliminate the need for heavy and complex opto-mechanical devices currently used for 6DOF sailcraft control. The resulting lighter weight of the sailcraft will allow for improved warning time for adverse space weather events.
Topic Code
9.5
Solicitation Number
NOAA-OAR-TPO-2024-2008239
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 11/19/24
Period of Performance
9/1/24
Start Date
8/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$650.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$650.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to NA24OARX021G0041
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
NA24OARX021G0041
SAI Number
NA24OARX021G0041-001
Award ID URI
None
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
1305N2 DEPT OF COMMERCE NOAA
Funding Office
1333BR OFC OF PROG.PLANNING&INTEGRATION
Awardee UEI
YEQZGZRT2L87
Awardee CAGE
80HM1
Performance District
AL-05
Senators
Tommy Tuberville
Katie Britt
Katie Britt
Modified: 11/19/24