Engineering topics

Bailey Light

Publications and source records attributed to Bailey Light.

9 records

NASA NTRS2022

Methane Bioreactor System Offers Sustainable Plastic Alternative for Earth and Space

Mango Materials partnered with the Colorado School of Mines on NASA STTR awards to adapt a bioreactor system to convert methane into bioplastic for low-gravity environments. In space, methane from carbon dioxide conversion systems and waste treatment can be used to 3D print objects and provide polymers for construction and regolith binding. On Earth, the system can convert methane—a greenhouse gas—into environmentally conscious bioplastic. Mango Materials received $6 million through NASA CCRPP, including funds from fashion investors seeking alternatives to plastic-based textiles.

SBIR/STTR↗

NASA NTRS2022

SAR Instruments Support Earth Science by Monitoring Surface Deformation and Change

With the NASA SBIR/STTR Program, Tendeg, LLC, has advanced its parabolic antenna technology. NASA’s Surface Deformation and Change (SDC) study is interested in antenna technology that could be used to capture images of Earth’s surface for science research. In 2021, Tendeg received investor funds from SDC to continue developing SBIR-related work through the Phase II-Extended (II-E) option. Tendeg’s technology has supported NASA and commercial space missions; in total, Tendeg attributes $45 million in revenue as a result of SBIR-related developments.

SBIR↗

NASA NTRS2022

Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles and Systems Support Safer Aeronautics Research

Area-I partnered with the NASA SBIR/STTR program to develop Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UASs) that supported advanced aeronautics research. The company’s developments with NASA culminated in the Prototype-Technology Evaluator and Research Aircraft (PTERA), a versatile UAS enabling low-risk flight experiments that are safer than piloted tests and more dynamic than wind tunnel testing. From the initial seed funding from NASA, Area-I continued to hone its abilities in UAS development, finding success with the Department of Defense and leading to the company’s acquisition by Anduril Industries—a $4.6 billion defense technology company—in 2021.

Bruce R Cogan↗

NASA NTRS2021

Low-Maintenance Bioreactor Cultivates Fungi for Sustainable Food Source in Space

Nature’s Fynd, a food company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, partnered with Montana State University on NASA STTR contracts to further develop a micro-gravity biofilm-biomat reactor, which cultivates a unique fungus to form a dense protein material. The resulting “biomat” could serve as a nutritious food source for life away from Earth. Nature’s Fynd has received external investments totaling more than $500 million for developing its technologies, and the company recently launched its meatless and dairy-free foods in specific retailers.

STTR↗

NASA NTRS2021

Electrochemical System Recovers Hydrogen and Helium for Rocket Engine Tests

SKYRE, Inc. received NASA SBIR and STTR funding to develop electrochemical systems for recovering and compressing gases. SKYRE has worked with Stennis Space Center to advance the company’s Hydrogen Recovery System (HRS) for supplying compressed hydrogen and helium, which are required for rocket engine testing. Through funding from the NASA Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program, and with business training from the NASA SBIR/STTR I-Corps program, SKYRE has commercialized its technology into two product lines, valuing SBIR/STTR-related revenue at $25 million.

SBIR/STTR↗

NASA NTRS2021

Novel Lightweight Insulation Protects Fuel Tanks from Extreme Temperatures

Quest Thermal Group developed its integrated multi-layer insulation (IMLI) with funding from the NASA SBIR/STTR program. IMLI is high-performance insulation that protects spacecraft and cryogenic systems from extreme temperatures at a lighter weight than traditional MLI. IMLI performed successful flight demonstrations on NASA’s Robotic Refueling Mission 3 in 2018 and NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission in partnership with large business Ball Aerospace in 2019, opening the door for additional opportunities with NASA and commercial customers.

SBIR/STTR↗

NASA NTRS2021

3-D Bioprinter Overcomes Gravity by Printing Living Tissues in Space

Techshot, Inc., based in Greensville, IN, is the first U.S. company to 3-D print organic products on the International Space Station (ISS). The company’s BioFabrication Facility (BFF), developed in collaboration with nScrypt, Inc., prints in space to overcome the effects of gravity on Earth, which cause 3-D printed tissues to disform under their own weight. Techshot’s BFF was launched to the ISS supported by the NASA SBIR/STTR program in 2019. The company has since worked with NASA and other customers, valuing BFF’s external investments at more than $5 million, including $2.5 million from the ISS Program.

SBIR↗

NASA NTRS2021

Power and Propulsion for Gateway: A NASA SBIR/STTR Success Story

NASA’s Gateway in lunar orbit will play a critical role in the Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024. The development of the Power and Propulsion Element for Gateway is being led by Maxar Technologies, a mid-size organization, with contributions from two NASA SBIR/STTR awardees—Deployable Space Systems and Busek Company, Inc, both of which initially developed their Gateway contributions with support from the NASA SBIR/STTR program.

SBIR/STTR↗

NASA NTRS2021

Cryocooler Electronics Enable Thermal Imaging of Planetary Objects in Deep Space

Iris Technology Corporation received NASA SBIR awards to advance its cryocooler electronics, which control mechanical cryocoolers that enable thermal imaging systems to capture data to improve our knowledge of water and possibly life in space. Originally partnering with the Air Force SBIR program, Iris has since won several contracts to provide its cryocooler electronics on NASA missions — including a mission to examine the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa — and on a satellite mission with the Air Force.

Mark H Davidson↗