99--TITLE: TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY ALTERNATIVE LAUNCH ABORT SYSTEMDESIGN FOR COST SAVINGS AND RECOVERY OF PAYLOAD: LAR-17447

NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA 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: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have designed a Multifunctional Boost Protective Cover (MBPC) for a Launch Abort System (LAS). In the event of a crewed launch, the innovation provides a redundant means of saving the crew, and for an unmanned launch, it provides the means for recovering a very expensive, sensitive, and/or dangerous payload. Reduced insurance premiums and elimination of delays to fabricate new complex satellite systems in the event of a failed launch contribute to cost savings. NASA is seeking development partners and potential licensees. The current design enables this increased redundancy with no detrimental impact to mass-to-orbit capability and, in effect, can increase the payload-to-orbit capability of the spacecraft by enabling the firing of the launch abort motor (LAM) during nominal missions to effect an increased delta-velocity or increased mass-to-orbit capability. The current invention enables the launch abort function and minimizes the generation and transmission of acoustic pressure to the payload and/or crew. In addition, the design accommodates inertial, structural, and thermal loads. The innovation also reduces the structural mass of the crew or payload module by transferring the load-carrying structure to a multi-functional boost protective cover that is jettisoned early in the launch trajectory (prior to reaching the orbital velocity), thus reducing mass to orbit. The MBPC also has a very efficient aerodynamic shape that reduces drag and enables increased payload/mass to orbit. U.S. patent 8,002,219. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. Please also provide the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at http://technology.nasa.gov/ . These responses are provided to members of NASA Langleys Office of Strategic Analysis and Business Development OSACB 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. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, OSACB will follow the required formal licensing process of posting in the Federal Register. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.