Digital Solid State Propulsion, Inc — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: S3.02

Digital Solid State Propulsion, Inc — SBIR Phase I award from National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Phase I SBIR 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 $124,849. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
  • Topic code S3.02 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.

Informational capture context from public federal data — not legal or bid advice.

Amount
$124,849
Agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Program / Phase
SBIR · Phase I
Topic
S3.02
NAICS
Place of performance
NV
Period
2014-06-20 → 2014-12-19

Description

Small satellites such as CubeSats are in need of responsive propulsion, but are limited due to their size. Though single pulse, AP/HTPB fueled solid rocket motors exist in the market, greater mission flexibility is to be had from a motor with the capability of a second ignition in the same volume constraints. Digital Solid State Propulsion (DSSP) proposes research into the technology to not only to enable a second pulse from a high thrust solid rocket motor, but also into a safer class of propellants called Electric Solid Propellants (ESPs). A barrier system, developed on other DSSP programs, would be the stepping stone for the dual pulse ability of the motor. The ESPs are a group of propellants that are electrically ignited, but safer to handle compared to standard solid energetic propellants. For in-space use, Aluminized variant of ESP would be improved and utilized for this application. Phase I funding would allow for the advancements of these technologies to a TRL 3. Then following basic research and design goals of a Phase I contract, a Phase II contract would allow the design and test of an integrated Delta-V and ACS propulsion into a 1U module at TRL 6.