TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Active Mass Translation (AMT) System for Solar Sail Propulsion (MFS-TOPS-95)

NASA's Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses . THE TECHNOLOGY : This innovation, developed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, is a frame and motor system that maintains the alignment and stability of a solar sail throughout its mission life. Solar sails can enable high delta V (change in velocity) propulsion for small spacecraft in deep space beyond Low Earth Orbit. Solar sails use a large reflective film, and eliminate the need for propellants. Reflected sunlight produces solar pressure on the film, and the thrust produced, though minuscule, can provide large velocity deltas over a multi-year mission. This thrust however can also create disturbance torques due to misalignment of the solar sail center of mass (CM) and center of pressure (CP), and may cause the sail to fail should it become unbalanced and fold or wrap upon itself. The AMT system solves this challenge by enabling the long-term balance and stability of solar sail propulsion systems that set a new benchmark in packaging volume, propulsion efficiency and long-term operation, as well as safety. To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA's Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/MFS-TOPS-95 If you have any questions, please contact Cory Efird, Project Coordinator, Marshall Space Flight Center at [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/ These responses are provided to members of NASA's Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice .