OPTERUS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, INC — National Aeronautics and Space Administration STTR Phase I: T5
OPTERUS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, INC — STTR Phase I award from National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Phase I STTR feasibility signal
- Phase I awards fund proof-of-concept work. For capture teams, they mark early interest from National Aeronautics and Space Administration in a technical approach.
- Watch for Phase II follow-ons from the same firm/topic family — that conversion path is where budgets and transition pressure rise.
- Obligated amount $155,474. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code T5 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $155,474
- Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Program / Phase
- STTR · Phase I
- Topic
- T5
- Solicitation
- STTR_22_P1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CO
- Period
- 2022-07-01 → 2023-08-25
Description
Solar Sail Tubular Mast (SSTM) is a lightweight version of Opterusrsquo; patented High Strain Composite (HSC) Trussed Collapsible Tubular Mast (T-CTM). SSTM is a high-performance truss of tape-springs with structural mass efficiency twice that of trusses of solid rods (e.g. coilable longeron masts) and four times better than traditional non-trussed CTMs. SSTM booms are inherently low cost because they are fabricated using automated and mold-based processes with minimal touch labor. Opterus is currently proving out similar booms (optimized for high load applications) at the 20m (65 ft) length scale using the same materials, tooling, curing, and fabrication equipment that will be used here. Processes are only limited in length by the facility, currently 120m (400 ft). This effort will optimize and develop booms with a linear mass density of less than 50 grams per meter while maintaining the stiffness and strength to support 10,000 m2 and larger high performance sail systems. SSTM provides a lower cost and lower risk solution by avoiding spin deployment and stabilization complexities. The complexity, challenge, and risk of cable stays (guywires) are similarly not needed with SSTM. Prototype booms will be designed, fabricated, and tested. SSTM is enabling for the next generation of 10,000 m2 large class solar sails for multiple heliophysics missions including HISM (High Inclination Solar Mission), SPI (Solar Polar Imager), and next generation space weather monitoring missions. SSTM can also enable a faster transit to deep space, which is needed for the Interstellar Probe Mission.