{"id":10836,"date":"2024-05-02T12:05:50","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T16:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/nasa-doubles-down-advances-six-innovative-tech-concepts-to-new-phase\/"},"modified":"2024-05-02T12:05:50","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T16:05:50","slug":"nasa-doubles-down-advances-six-innovative-tech-concepts-to-new-phase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/nasa-doubles-down-advances-six-innovative-tech-concepts-to-new-phase\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA Doubles Down, Advances Six Innovative Tech Concepts to New Phase"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASA Doubles Down, Advances Six Innovative Tech Concepts to New Phase<\/h2>\n

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3 min read<\/p>\n

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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A collage of\u00a0artist concepts\u00a0highlighting the novel\u00a0approaches\u00a0proposed by the 2024 NIAC Phase II awardees\u00a0for possible future missions.<\/em><\/div>\n
Credits: NASA, From left: Edward Balaban, Mary Knapp, Mahmooda Sultana, Brianna Clements, Ethan Schaler<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NASA\u2019s Innovative Advanced Concepts program (NIAC) has selected six visionary concept studies for additional funding and development. Each study has already completed the initial NIAC phase, showing their futuristic ideas \u2013 like a lunar railway system and fluid-based telescopes \u2013 may provide fresh perspectives and approaches as NASA explores the unknown in space.<\/p>\n

The NIAC Phase II conceptual studies will receive up to $600,000 to continue working over the next two years to address key remaining technical and budget hurdles and pave their development path forward. When Phase II is complete, these studies could advance to the final NIAC phase, earning additional funding and\u00a0development consideration toward becoming a future aerospace mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese diverse, science fiction-like concepts represent a fantastic class of Phase II studies,\u201d said John Nelson, NIAC program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cOur NIAC fellows never cease to amaze and inspire, and this class definitely gives NASA a lot to think about in terms of what\u2019s possible in the future.\u201d\u00a0 The six concepts chosen for 2024 NIAC Phase II awards are:<\/p>\n

Fluidic Telescope (FLUTE): Enabling the Next Generation of Large Space Observatories<\/a> <\/a><\/strong>would create a large optical observatory in space using fluidic shaping of ionic liquids. These in-space observatories could potentially help investigate NASA\u2019s highest priority astrophysics targets, including Earth-like exoplanets, first-generation stars, and young galaxies. The FLUTE study is led by Edward Balaban from NASA\u2019s Ames Research Center in California\u2019s Silicon Valley. <\/p>\n

Pulsed Plasma Rocket: Shielded, Fast Transits for Humans to Mars is an innovative propulsion system<\/a> <\/strong>that relies on using fission-generated packets of plasma for thrust. This innovative system could significantly reduce travel times between Earth and any destination in the solar system.\u00a0 This study is led by Brianna Clements with Howe Industries in Scottsdale, Arizona.<\/p>\n

The Great Observatory for Long Wavelengths (GO-LoW)<\/a> <\/strong>could change the way NASA conducts astronomy. This mega constellation low-frequency radio telescope uses thousands of autonomous SmallSats capable of measuring the magnetic fields emitted from exoplanets and the cosmic dark ages. GO-LoW is led by Mary Knapp with MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts.<\/p>\n

Radioisotope Thermoradiative Cell Power Generator<\/strong> <\/a>is investigating new in-space power sources, potentially operating at higher efficiencies than NASA legacy power generators. This technology could enable small exploration and science spacecraft in the future that are unable to carry bulky solar or nuclear power systems. This power generation concept study is from Stephen Polly at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York.<\/p>\n

FLOAT: Flexible Levitation on a Track<\/a> <\/strong>would be a lunar railway system, providing reliable, autonomous, and efficient payload transport on the Moon. This rail system could support daily operations of a sustainable lunar base as soon as the 2030s. Ethan Schaler leads FLOAT at NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. <\/p>\n

ScienceCraft for Outer Planet Exploration<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>distributes Quantum Dot-based sensors throughout the surface of a solar sail, enabling it to become an innovative imager. Quantum physics would allow NASA to take scientific measurements through studying how the dots absorb light. By leveraging the solar sail\u2019s area, it allows lighter, more cost-effective spacecraft to carry imagers across the solar system. ScienceCraft is led by NASA\u2019s Mahmooda Sultana at the agency\u2019s Goddard Spaceflight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.<\/p>\n

NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the NIAC program, as it is responsible for developing the agency\u2019s new cross-cutting technologies and capabilities to achieve its current and future missions.<\/p>\n

To learn more about NIAC and the 2024 Phase II studies, visit:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stmd-the-nasa-innovative-advanced-concepts-niac\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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Discover More Topics From NIAC<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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