SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- Inflatable Structure Technology- A NEW PARTNERING OPPORTUNITY
- Notice Date
- 4/12/2021 8:27:13 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 927110
— Space Research and Technology
- Contracting Office
- NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER HOUSTON TX 77058 USA
- ZIP Code
- 77058
- Solicitation Number
- 80JSC021IST
- Response Due
- 4/13/2022 2:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 04/28/2022
- Description
- Potential Commercial Applications: Construction, Architecture, Sailboats, Underwater Facilities, Hyperbaric Chambers, Hazmat Shelters, Field Hospitals, Isolation Rooms, Moveable Barriers, Storage, Dirigibles. Keywords: Inflatables, Inflatable Structures, Soft Structures, Finite Element Analysis, Habitat, Strain Sensing, Tension Sensing, Flexible Electronics, Flexible Sensors, Wireless Sensors, Tensile Structures, Fabric Structures, Expandable Structures, Lightweight Structures Purpose: Systems designed for space missions are constrained by many factors. Useable volume is one of the most significant factors. Inflatable or expandable structures offer a way to obtain three times or greater useable volume for the same launch mass and cost. These structures are made of synthetic fibers like Kevlar and Vectran woven into fabrics and flexible tubes, and are launched in a tightly stowed configuration and then inflated and pressure-stiffened when needed.� Two examples of inflatable systems for space exploration that are currently undergoing testing are the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) and the Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD). �After delivery to the International Space Station (ISS), the BEAM was inflated to provide temporary storage. The module has performed well and initial tests indicate that it can fill the role of a more traditional metal module. To meet the payload requirements for sending humans to Mars, NASA needs an aeroshell decelerator that is much larger than can fit into current rocket configurations. HIAD solves this problem by being stowed in a tight package and then inflating to five times its stowed size prior to entry into Mars� atmosphere.�� NASA seeks to work with a Partner to advance inflatable structure technology with the goal of more accurately predicting structure performance through improved finite element models and structural sensing integrated directly into the flexible materials that make up the inflatable system. In pursuing these types of inflatables technology advancements, NASA and a Partner will develop new and improved inflatable designs for habitat modules for space missions. The same technology will also benefit terrestrial applications by providing improved fabric design options. �These applications include, but are not limited to, quickly deployable-durable shelters, hyperbaric chambers, deployable shock absorbers, storm surge protection devices, pipeline fluid plugs, and fluid stowage containers. Technology: Engineers at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the Langley Research Center (LaRC) are currently offering co-development opportunities focusing on three important technologies necessary for improving the performance of inflatable structures: Technology goals, include, but are not limited to: Improving structural analysis software tools for modeling synthetic fibers, fabrics, and other flexible materials resulting in better performance predictions. Specifically, developing non-linear math models of softgoods based structures that can take probabilistic-based non-linear stress/strain curves (to account for variability in materials) along with probabilistic geometries (to account for variability in manufacturing) and predict stress/strain in representative structural models. Correlating these models to pressure tests, utilizing photogrammetry strain data that is collected during tests. Improving monitoring of inflatable structures through a range of integrated flexible electronics and sensing: capacitive strain sensors, resistive strain sensors, fiber optic strain sensors, foil strain gauges, acoustic sensors, accelerometers and others. Developing flexible materials including sensors and electronics with a greater temperature range. R&D Status: NASA has performed extensive development and testing of inflatable structures working with Bigelow Aerospace for a habitat on ISS in 2016 and with United Space Alliance for an aeroshell decelerator slated to fly in 2022. NASA is currently studying inflatable lunar bases with a planetary surface habitat and airlock unit, which is in an early prototype phase, and has conceptual proposals for utilizing expandable-technology space structures in cislunar and interplanetary-crewed exploration spacecraft. Intellectual Property (IP):� This Partner relationship may produce new IP that could be jointly owned by NASA and a Partner or may become the property of a Partner. Contact Information: Partnership Manager, JSC�s Partnership Development Office Email:� jsc-partnerships@mail.nasa.gov To respond to this announcement, please use the Statement of Interest Form found at https://nasajsc.secure.force.com/StatementofInterest or contact JSC at the email above. To view all Co-Development and Partnering Opportunities with the NASA Johnson Space Center, please visit our website at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/partnerships/JSC-Partnership-Gateway
- Web Link
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- Place of Performance
- Address: USA
- Country: USA
- Country: USA
- Record
- SN05968941-F 20210414/210412230113 (samdaily.us)
- Source
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