Diversified Technical Systems, Inc. — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: H12

Description

<p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">As early as the Gemini missions, NASA has monitored physiological parameters during spaceflight for the collection of real time and recorded data during critical missions.&nbsp; This has helped NASA better understand man&rsquo;s reaction to space by monitoring astronauts&rsquo; temperature, respiration, and cardiac activity.</p><p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">The proposed Dynamic Kinematic Recorder (DKR) is designed to measure the biomechanical vibration, impact and motion of astronauts&rsquo; head, neck, body and helmet.&nbsp; Astronauts can be subjected to excessive vibration and shock during launch, re-entry or abort scenarios.&nbsp; Biomechanical measurements in these conditions have unique challenges.&nbsp; Safety of flight is essential and the proposed DKR is required to be an ultra-low power system that minimizes size and weight and runs autonomously.</p><p style="margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px">DTS has unique experience developing similar systems over the past 27 years, including work with NASA measuring crew biomechanics.&nbsp; DTS has developed systems to measure the kinematic motion of rodeo riders, aerobatic pilots, ejection seat manikins, roller coaster riders, soldiers in combat, and most recently football players through a research project funded by the NFL.&nbsp; All DTS systems are designed in accordance with SAE J211 recommendations.</p><p>Recent technology advances in MEMS sensing and microprocessor technology now make it possible to deliver a relatively low cost, small, light and autonomous system to measure crew biomechanics.&nbsp; Unique to this proposal is a technical breakthrough in angular sensing technology that reduces size and power by orders of magnitude.&nbsp; DTS proposes to deliver a revolutionary prototype 6DOF Dynamic Kinematic Recorder that will have greater than 10-fold reduction in size and mass compared to existing systems.&nbsp; This autonomous system would be small, ultra-low power and weigh less than 20 grams.</p>