OPTO-KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS INC — National Aeronautics and Space Administration STTR Phase I: T14
OPTO-KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS 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 $156,496. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code T14 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $156,496
- Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Program / Phase
- STTR · Phase I
- Topic
- T14
- Solicitation
- STTR_23_P1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CA
- Period
- 2023-07-31 → 2024-09-02
Description
We are proposing the research and development of a calibration-free sensing suite for contaminant detection and conversion efficacy analysis of emerging in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) propellant production technologies for future Martian missions. The Phase I effort will focus on developing a spectroscopic strategy to (1) detect select trace-level (ppm) contaminants (CO, HCl) in fuel and oxidizer streams produced by emerging catalytic electrolyzers, and (2) analyze the conversion efficiency and reaction progress of CH4 from CO2 in the Martian atmosphere. The results will inform Phase-II development of a modular sensing suite with low system size, weight, and power (SWaP) for real-time monitoring of the health and efficiency of catalytic electrolyzer technologies. Our unique and synergistic teaming strategy ensures that successful execution of this project will not only advance sensors optimized for monitoring ISRU propellant production, but also help further the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for emerging catalytic electrolyzer technologies.