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DOE OSTI2026

Exploring stages of resilience maturity as communities confront climate risks

Coastal communities are facing increased risks due to climate change, as evidenced by heightened shocks such as hurricanes and wildfires, and stressors including sea-level rise and drought. To confront these risks, many coastal communities are planning and designing their built environments in new ways, with the overall goal of increasing their resilience. However, resilience practices have been widely guided by an event-based timeframe, which may not be sufficient to confront the multiple and overlapping threats expected over the coming decades. To address this concern, this study investigated a long-term perspective on resilience progression, termed resilience maturity. To better understand resilience maturity in practice, this study drew directly on community perspectives, thereby identifying common challenges. Furthermore, variation in resilience maturity across communities provided an opportunity to identify existing successful strategies. Inductive qualitative analysis was used to examine perspectives from 15 interviews with local practitioners across 12 coastal communities. The analysis revealed that communities in early stages of resilience maturity often struggle with local stakeholder alignment and minimal dedicated resilience resources. In contrast, those further along the maturity path often face technology barriers and challenges in aligning regional stakeholders. Few examples of a fully mature resilience culture were found within the communities studied, underscoring systemic barriers to achieving advanced resilience maturity. Overall, these findings supported development of a practical framework for classifying community resilience efforts, identifying common obstacles, and informing localized resilience advancement.

Resilience maturity↗

DOE OSTI2025

The [4Fe-4S] Cluster of HydF Is Essential for [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Maturation

The organometallic H-cluster of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase is assembled in vivo through a complex process requiring the action of three dedicated maturation enzymes, HydG, HydE, and HydF, as well as the aminomethyl-lipoyl-H-protein (H met ) of the glycine cleavage system (GCS). Here we probe the role of HydF and its [4Fe-4S] cluster in [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation by using a defined semisynthetic approach in which [Fe I 2 (μ-SH) 2 (CO) 4 (CN) 2 ] 2– ([2Fe] E ) is used to bypass HydE and HydG, and GCS components are used in place of cell lysate. We show that inclusion of the iron–sulfur carrier protein NfuA and the high-CO-affinity myoglobin variant Mb H64L provides dramatically improved hydrogenase activities up to 828 μmol/min/mg, equivalent to the best reported activities for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii [FeFe]-hydrogenase isolated from the native organism. Apo-HydF lacking a [4Fe-4S] cluster provides very little hydrogenase activity; however, full maturation is restored with the addition of NfuA, which we demonstrate reconstitutes the [4Fe-4S] cluster of HydF. In addition, a HydF variant lacking a [4Fe-4S] cluster by changing two cysteine ligands to alanine is completely unable to support either semisynthetic maturation using [2Fe] E , or full maturation using HydG and HydE, even in the presence of NfuA, demonstrating that the HydF [4Fe-4S] cluster is absolutely essential for [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation. The possibility that the HydF [4Fe-4S] cluster plays a role in direct binding of [2Fe] E is negated by our results with the HydF D311C variant, which demonstrate that the labile Asp311 cluster ligand is not essential for [2Fe] E binding and HydA maturation. We therefore conclude that [2Fe]E binds HydF adjacent to, but not directly coordinated to, the [4Fe-4S] cluster. The HydF [4Fe-4S] cluster is proposed to be essential due to its impact on the [2Fe] E binding orientation and the ability of the HydF/[2Fe] E complex to form productive interactions with H met or the H met /T-protein complex during DTMA ligand biosynthesis.

cluster chemistry↗

DOE OSTI2025

In vitro maturation of fully active [FeFe]-hydrogenase in a defined system including the iron carrier NfuA

The [FeFe]-hydrogenase employs an active-site 6Fe H-cluster to catalyze the reversible reduction of protons to H 2 . A [4Fe-4S] subcluster of the H-cluster is synthesized by housekeeping iron-sulfur cluster assembly machinery, and then dedicated hydrogenase maturation enzymes, together with components of the glycine cleavage system, build and deliver a [2Fe] subcluster to generate the full H-cluster. Here, we report that theEscherichia coliiron-sulfur carrier protein NfuA supports in vitro maturation of fully active [FeFe]-hydrogenase, with H 2 production rates comparable to that of the in vivo-maturedChlamydomonas reinhardtii[FeFe]-hydrogenase (CrHydA). Inclusion of NfuA in the in vitro maturation process improves its efficacy by delivering the iron essential for formation of the [Fe II (cys)(CN)(CO) 2 ] – synthon at the dangler iron site of the HydG auxiliary cluster. NfuA serves an additional role in reconstituting and maintaining the catalytically essential iron-sulfur clusters on the maturase enzymes HydE, HydF, and HydG. Further inclusion of a high CO affinity myoglobin variant (Mb H64L ) sequesters free CO generated during the maturation process, minimizing formation of the CO-inhibited H ox -CO enzyme state, significantly increasing hydrogenase activity. The addition of NfuA and Mb H64L to the fully defined maturation system thus results in an in vitro [FeFe]-hydrogenase maturation system that generates highly active enzyme while providing insights into factors important to in vivo maturation.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

NASA NTRS1992

Moessbauer Spectroscopy for Lunar Resource Assessment: Measurement of Mineralogy and Soil Maturity

First-order assessment of lunar soil as a resource includes measurement of its mineralogy and maturity. Soils in which the mineral ilmenite is present in high concentrations are desirable feedstock for the production of oxygen at a lunar base. The maturity of lunar soils is a measure of their relative residence time in the upper 1 mm of the lunar surface. Increasing maturity implies increasing load of solar wind species (e.g., N, H, and He-3), decreasing mean grain size, and increasing glass content. All these physicochemical properties that vary in a regular way with maturity are important parameters for assessing lunar soil as a resource. For example, He-3 can be extracted and potentially used for nuclear fusion. A commonly used index for lunar soil maturity is I(sub s)/FeO, which is the concentration of fine-grained metal determined by ferromagnetic resonance (I(sub s)) normalized to the total iron content (as FeO). I(sub s)/FeO has been measured for virtually every soil returned by the Apollo and Luna missions to the Moon. Because the technique is sensitive to both oxidation state and mineralogy, iron Moessbauer spectroscopy (FeMS) is a viable technique for in situ lunar resource assessment. Its utility for mineralogy is apparent from examination of published FeMS data for lunar samples. From the data published, it can be inferred that FeMS data can also be used to determine soil maturity. The use of FeMS to determine mineralogy and maturity and progress on development of a FeMS instrument for lunar surface use are discussed.

Morris, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Composition and Maturity of Apollo 16 Regolith Core 60013/14

Samples from every half-centimeter dissection interval of double drive tube 60013/14 (sections 60013 and 60014) were analyzed by magnetic techniques for Fe concentration and surface maturity parameter I(sub s)/ Fe(O), and by neutron activation for concentrations of 25 lithophile and siderophile elements. Core 60013/14 is one of three regolith cores taken in a triangular array 40-50 m apart on the Cayley plains during Apollo 16 mission to the Moon. The core can be divided into three zones based both on I(sub s)/FeO and composition. Unit A (0-44 cm depth) is compositionally similar to other soils from the surface of the central region of the site and is mature throughout, although maturity decreases with depth. Unit B (44-59 cm) is submature and compositionally more feldspathic than Unit A. Regions of lowest maturity in Unit B are characterized by lower Sm/Sc ratios than any soil obtained from the Cayley plains as a result of some unidentified lithologic component with low surface maturity. The component is probably some type of mafic anorthosite that does not occur in such high abundance in any of the other returned soils. Unit C (59-62 cm) is more mature than Unit B and compositionally equivalent to an 87: 13 mixture of soil such as that from Unit A and plagioclase such as found in ferroan anorthosite. Similar soils, but containing greater abundances of anorthosite (plagioclase), are found at depth in the other two cores of the array. These units of immature to submature soil enriched to varying degrees (compared to the mature surface soil) in ferroan anorthosite consisting of approx. 99% plagioclase are the only compositionally distinct subsurface similarities among the three cores. Each of the cores contains other units that are compositionally dissimilar to any soil unit in the other two cores. These compositionally distinct units probably derive from local subsurface blocks deposited by the event(s) that formed the Cayley plains. The ferroan anorthosite with approx. 99% plagioclase, however, must represent some subsurface lithology that is significant on the scale of tens of meters. The compositional uniformity of the surface soil (0-10 cm depth) over distances of kilometers reflects the large-scale uniformity of the plains deposits; the fine- structure reflects small-scale nonuniformity and the inefficiency of the impact-mixing process at depths as shallow as even one meter.

Korotev, Randy T.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Provisional bilateral symmetry in Xenopus eggs is established during maturation

Dorsal-ventral patterning in the Xenopus egg becomes established midway through the first cell cycle during a 30 degree rotation of the subcortical yolk mass relative to the egg cortex. This 'rotation of symmetrisation' is microtubule dependent, and its direction is thought to be cued by the usually eccentric sperm centrosome. The fact that parthenogenetically activated eggs also undergo a directed rotation, despite the absence of a sperm centrosome, suggests that an endogenous asymmetry in the unfertilised egg supports the directed polymerisation of microtubules in the vegetal cortex, in the way that an eccentric sperm centrosome would in fertilised eggs. Consistent with this idea, we noticed that the maturation spot is usually located an average of more than 15 degrees from the geometric centre of the pigmented animal hemisphere. In parthenogenetically activated eggs, this eccentric maturation spot can be used to predict the direction of rotation. Although in most fertilised eggs the yolk mass rotates toward the sperm entry point (SEP) meridian, occasionally this relationship is perturbed significantly; in such eggs, the maturation spot is never on the same side of the egg as the SEP. In oocytes tilted 90 degrees from upright during maturation in vitro, the maturation spot developed 15 degrees or more from the centre of the pigmented hemisphere, always displaced towards the point on the equator that was up during maturation. This experimentally demonstrated lability is consistent with an off-axis oocyte orientation during oogenesis determining its eccentric maturation spot position, and, in turn, its endogenous rotational bias.

NASA Discipline Number 40-20↗

DOE OSTI2025

Secretory stimuli distinctly regulate insulin secretory granule maturation through structural remodeling

Insulin secretory granule (ISG) maturation is a crucial aspect of insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. The regulation of this maturation remains poorly understood, especially how secretory stimuli affect ISG maturity and subcellular localization. In this study, we used soft X-ray tomography (SXT) to quantitatively map ISG morphology, density, and location in single INS-1E and mouse pancreatic β cells under the effect of various secretory stimuli. We found that the activation of glucokinase (GK), gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and G protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) promotes ISG maturation. Each stimulus induces unique structural remodeling in ISGs, by altering size and density, depending on the specific signaling cascades activated. These distinct ISG subpopulations mobilize and redistribute in the cell, altering the overall cellular structural organization. Our results provide insight into how current diabetes and obesity therapies impact ISG maturation and may inform the development of future treatments that target maturation specifically.

insulin granule maturation↗

NASA NTRS1993

Composition and maturity of the 60013/14 core

The 60013/14 double drive tube (62 cm deep) is one of three regolith cores taken 35-40 m apart in a triangular array on the Cayley plains at station 10' (LM/ALSEP), Apollo 16. This trio, which includes double drive tube 60009/10 (59 cm deep) and deep drill core 60001-7 (220 cm), is the only such array of cores returned from the Moon. The top 45 cm of 60013/14 is mature, as is surface reference soil 60601 taken nearby. Maturity generally decreases with depth, with soil below 45 cm being submature. The zone of lowest maturity (34 is less than or equal to I(sub s)/FeO is less than 50) extends from 46 to 58 cm depth, and corresponds to the distinct region of light-colored soil observed during core processing. In the other two cores, most of the compositional variation results from mixing between fine-grained, mature soil with 10-11 micro-g/g Sc and coarse-grained ferroan anorthosite consisting of greater than 99% plagioclase with less than 0.5 micro-g/g Sc. This is most evident in 60009/10 which contains a high abundance of plagioclase at about 54 cm depth (minimum Sc: 3-4 micro-g/g); a similar zone occurs in 60001-7 at 17-22 cm (MPU-C), although it is not as rich in plagioclase (minimum Sc: 6-7 micro-g/g). Compositional variations are less in 60013/14 than in the other two cores (range: 7.9-10.0 micro-g/g Sc), but are generally consistent with the 'plagioclase dilution' effect seen in 60009/10, i.e., most 60013/14 samples plot along the mixing line of 60009/10. However, a plagioclase component is not the cause of the lower maturity and lighter color of the unit at 46-58 cm depth in 60013/14. Many of the samples in this zone have distinctly lower Sm/Sc ratios than typical LM-area soils and plot off the mixing trend defined by 60009/10. This requires a component with moderately high Sc, but low-Sm/Sc, such as feldspathic fragmental breccia (FFB) or granulitic breccia. A component of Descartes regolith, such as occurs at North Ray Crater (NRC) and which is rich in FFB, could account for the composition of these soils (i.e., a 3:1 mixture of 60601 and NRC soil). It seems unlikely that NRC ejecta would occur half a meter deep at the LM station, thus this low-Sm/Sc component may result from an older, local crater that penetrated the Cayley surface layer and excavated underlying Descartes material, as did North Ray Crater. There is no evidence for such a unit or component in the other two cores. Soil below the light-colored unit (58-62) cm has 'typical' Sm/Sc ratios, but the lowest absolute Sc concentrations, i.e., it is compositionally equivalent to a mixture of surface soil and plagioclase such as that in ferroan anorthosite. This is the only soil that might be related to the plagioclase-rich units in the other two cores. Except for the mature soil at the top of each core and, perhaps, the plagioclase-rich layers, there is little compositional evidence for any common unit among the three cores. Soil corresponding to the mare-glass-bearing unit (MPU-B) and regolith-breccia-bearing unit (MPU-A) of 60001-7 do not occur in 60013/14 or 60009/10.

Korotev, Randy L.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Space Weathering in the Fine Size Fractions of Lunar Soils: Soil Maturity Effects

The effects of space weathering on the optical properties of lunar materials have been well documented. These effects include a reddened continuum slope, lowered albedo, and attenuated absorption features in reflectance spectra of lunar soils as compared to finely comminuted rocks from the same Apollo sites. However, the regolith processes that cause these effects are not well known, nor is the petrographic setting of the products of these processes fully understood. A Lunar Soil Characterization Consortium has been formed with the purpose of systematically integrating chemical and mineralogical data with the optical properties of lunar soils. Understanding space-weathering effects is critical in order to fully integrate the lunar sample collection with remotely-sensed data from recent robotic missions (e.g., Lunar Prospector, Clementine, and Galileo) We have shown that depositional processes (condensation of impact-derived vapors, sputter deposits, accreted impact material, e.g., splash glass, spherules, etc.) are a major factor in the modification of the optical surfaces of lunar regolith materials. In mature soils, it is the size and distribution of the nanophase metal in the soil grains that has the major effect on optical properties. In this report, we compare and contrast the space-weathering effects in an immature and a mature soil with similar elemental compositions. For this study, we analyzed <10 micron sieve fractions of two Apollo 17 soils, 79221 (mature, Is/FeO = 81) and 71061 (immature, Is/FeO = 14). Details of the sieving procedures and allocation scheme are given else where. The results of other detailed chemical, mineralogical, and spectroscopic analyses of these soil samples are reported elsewhere. A representative sample of each soil was embedded in low-viscosity epoxy, and thin sections (about 70nm thick) were obtained through ultra microtomy. The thin sections used for these analyses typically contained cross sections of up to 500 individual grains. The thin sections were studied using a JEOL 2010 transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with a thin window energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometer. An individual thin section was selected from each soil, and for each grain in the section we determined (1) the elemental composition by EDX; (2) whether the grain was crystalline or glassy using electron diffraction and darkfield imaging; (3) the presence or absence of rims and accreted material; and (4) the distribution of nanophase Fe where present. Most of the categories are self-evident; however, we divide the agglutinate derived material into agglutinitic glass (glass with approximately the same composition as the bulk soil that contains nanophase Fe with or without vesicles) and agglutinate fragments, which are composed of crystalline grains and agglutinitic glass. Lithic fragments are defined as polymineralic grains with no glass. Pyroxene grains have been divided into high- and low-Ca groups. As expected, there are a number of differences in the petrography of the <10-microns fractions of 79221 and 71061 given the great difference in their respective maturities, but we focus here on two major distinctions: agglutinate content and the number of grains with micropatina. Slightly over 50% of the particles in 79221 consist of agglutinitic glass and agglutinate fragments, while the remainder are predominantly crystalline mineral grains. The agglutinic glass particles contain abundant nanophase Fe and vesicles. Angular particles are rare, with most showing smooth, rounded exteriors, Of the mineral grains analyzed thus far, over 90% of the grains have amorphous rims that contain nanophase Fe (these rims are believed to have formed by vapor deposition and irradiation effects). The nanophase Fe in these rims probably accounts for a significant fraction of the increase in Is/FeO measured in these size fractions. In addition to the rims, the majority of particles also show abundant accreted material in the form of glass splashes and spherules that also contain nanophase Fe. In stark contrast, the surfaces of the mineral grains in the 71061 sample are relatively prisitine, as only about 14% of the mineral grains in the sample exhibited amorphous rims. Furthermore, the mineral particles are more angular and show greater surface roughness than in the mature sample. Accreted material on particle surfaces is rare. Agglutinitic material is a major component of the 71061 sample; however, nanophase Fe and vesicles are not as well developed as in the 79221 sample. It is now recognized that nanophase Fe is probably the main agent in modifying the optical properties of lunar soil grains. The most important result of this study is the observation that in the fine size fractions of mature soils, nearly every grain has nanophase Fe within 100 run of the particle surface. (Additional Information contained in original)

Keller, L. P.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Optimizing IV and V for Mature Organizations

NASA is intending for its future software development agencies to have at least a Level 3 rating in the Carnegie Mellon University Capability Maturity Model (CMM). The CMM has built-in Verification and Validation (V&V) processes that support higher software quality. Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) of software developed by mature agencies can be therefore more effective than for software developed by less mature organizations. How is Independent V&V different with respect to the maturity of an organization? Knowing a priori the maturity of an organization's processes, how can IV&V planners better identify areas of need choose IV&V activities, etc? The objective of this research is to provide a complementary set of guidelines and criteria to assist the planning of IV&V activities on a project using a priori knowledge of the measurable levels of maturity of the organization developing the software.

Fuhman, Christopher↗

NASA NTRS2013

Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (CPST) Technology Maturation: Establishing a Foundation for a Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM)

As part of U.S. National Space Policy, NASA is seeking an innovative path for human space exploration, which strengthens the capability to extend human and robotic presence throughout the solar system. NASA is laying the groundwork to enable humans to safely reach multiple potential destinations, including asteroids, Lagrange points, the Moon and Mars. In support of this, NASA is embarking on the Technology Demonstration Mission Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (TDM CPST) Project to test and validate key cryogenic capabilities and technologies required for future exploration elements, opening up the architecture for large cryogenic propulsion stages (CPS) and propellant depots. The TDM CPST project will provide an on-orbit demonstration of the capability to store, transfer, and measure cryogenic propellants for a duration which is relevant to enable long term human space exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Recognizing that key cryogenic fluid management technologies anticipated for on-orbit (flight) demonstration needed to be matured to a readiness level appropriate for infusion into the design of the flight demonstration, the NASA Headquarters Space Technology Mission Directorate authorized funding for a one-year (FY12) ground based technology maturation program. The strategy, proposed by the CPST Project Manager, focused on maturation through modeling, studies, and ground tests of the storage and fluid transfer Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) technology sub-elements and components that were not already at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5. A technology maturation plan (TMP) was subsequently approved which described: the CFM technologies selected for maturation, the ground testing approach to be used, quantified success criteria of the technologies, hardware and data deliverables, and a deliverable to provide an assessment of the technology readiness after completion of the test, study or modeling activity. This paper will present the testing, studies, and modeling that occurred in FY12 to mature cryogenic fluid management technologies for propellant storage, transfer, and supply, to examine extensibility to full scale, long duration missions, and to develop and validate analytical models. Finally, the paper will briefly describe an upcoming test to demonstrate Liquid Oxygen (LO2) Zero Boil- Off (ZBO).

Doherty, Michael P.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Technology Maturation in Preparation for the Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (CPST) Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM)

In support of its goal to find an innovative path for human space exploration, NASA embarked on the Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (CPST) Project, a Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM) to test and validate key cryogenic capabilities and technologies required for future exploration elements, opening up the architecture for large in-space cryogenic propulsion stages and propellant depots. Recognizing that key Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) technologies anticipated for on-orbit (flight) demonstration would benefit from additional maturation to a readiness level appropriate for infusion into the design of the flight demonstration, the NASA Headquarters Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) authorized funding for a one-year technology maturation phase of the CPST project. The strategy, proposed by the CPST Project Manager, focused on maturation through modeling, concept studies, and ground tests of the storage and fluid transfer of CFM technology sub-elements and components that were lower than a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5. A technology maturation plan (TMP) was subsequently approved which described: the CFM technologies selected for maturation, the ground testing approach to be used, quantified success criteria of the technologies, hardware and data deliverables, and a deliverable to provide an assessment of the technology readiness after completion of the test, study or modeling activity. The specific technologies selected were grouped into five major categories: thick multilayer insulation, tank applied active thermal control, cryogenic fluid transfer, propellant gauging, and analytical tool development. Based on the success of the technology maturation efforts, the CPST project was approved to proceed to flight system development.

propellants↗

NASA NTRS2014

Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (CPST) Technology Maturation: Establishing a Foundation for a Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM)

Doherty, Michael P.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Implementing NASA's Capability-Driven Approach: Insight into NASA's Processes for Maturing Exploration Systems

NASA is engaged in transforming human spaceflight. The Agency is shifting from an exploration-based program with human activities focused on low Earth orbit (LEO) and targeted robotic missions in deep space to a more sustainable and integrated pioneering approach. Through pioneering, NASA seeks to address national goals to develop the capacity for people to work, learn, operate, live, and thrive safely beyond the Earth for extended periods of time. However, pioneering space involves more than the daunting technical challenges of transportation, maintaining health, and enabling crew productivity for long durations in remote, hostile, and alien environments. This shift also requires a change in operating processes for NASA. The Agency can no longer afford to engineer systems for specific missions and destinations and instead must focus on common capabilities that enable a range of destinations and missions. NASA has codified a capability driven approach, which provides flexible guidance for the development and maturation of common capabilities necessary for human pioneers beyond LEO. This approach has been included in NASA policy and is captured in the Agency's strategic goals. It is currently being implemented across NASA's centers and programs. Throughout 2014, NASA engaged in an Agency-wide process to define and refine exploration-related capabilities and associated gaps, focusing only on those that are critical for human exploration beyond LEO. NASA identified 12 common capabilities ranging from Environmental Control and Life Support Systems to Robotics, and established Agency-wide teams or working groups comprised of subject matter experts that are responsible for the maturation of these exploration capabilities. These teams, called the System Maturation Teams (SMTs) help formulate, guide and resolve performance gaps associated with the identified exploration capabilities. The SMTs are defining performance parameters and goals for each of the 12 capabilities, developing maturation plans and roadmaps for the identified performance gaps, specifying the interfaces between the various capabilities, and ensuring that the capabilities mature and integrate to enable future pioneering missions. By managing system development through the SMTs instead of traditional NASA programs and projects, the Agency is shifting from mission-driven development to a more flexible, capability-driven development. The process NASA uses to establish, integrate, prioritize, and manage the SMTs and associated capabilities is iterative. NASA relies on the Human Exploration and Operation Mission Directorate's SMT Integration Team within Advanced Exploration Systems to coordinate and facilitate the SMT process. The SMT Integration team conducts regular reviews and coordination meetings among the SMTs and has developed a number of tools to help the Agency implement capability driven processes. The SMT Integration team is uniquely positioned to help the Agency coordinate the SMTs and other processes that are making the capability-driven approach a reality. This paper will introduce the SMTs and the 12 key capabilities they represent. The role of the SMTs will be discussed with respect to Agency-wide processes to shift from mission-focused exploration to a capability-driven pioneering approach. Specific examples will be given to highlight systems development and testing within the SMTs. These examples will also show how NASA is using current investments in the International Space Station and future investments to develop and demonstrate capabilities. The paper will conclude by describing next steps and a process for soliciting feedback from the space exploration community to refine NASA's process for developing common exploration capabilities.

Williams-Byrd, Julie↗

NASA NTRS2013

Space Mission Concept Development Using Concept Maturity Levels

Over the past five years, pre-project formulation experts at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed and implemented a method for measuring and communicating the maturity of space mission concepts. Mission concept development teams use this method, and associated tools, prior to concepts entering their Formulation Phases (Phase A/B). The organizing structure is Concept Maturity Level (CML), which is a classification system for characterizing the various levels of a concept's maturity. The key strength of CMLs is the ability to evolve mission concepts guided by an incremental set of assessment needs. The CML definitions have been expanded into a matrix form to identify the breadth and depth of analysis needed for a concept to reach a specific level of maturity. This matrix enables improved assessment and communication by addressing the fundamental dimensions (e.g., science objectives, mission design, technical risk, project organization, cost, export compliance, etc.) associated with mission concept evolution. JPL's collaborative engineering, dedicated concept development, and proposal teams all use these and other CML-appropriate design tools to advance their mission concept designs. This paper focuses on mission concept's early Pre-Phase A represented by CMLs 1- 4. The scope was limited due to the fact that CMLs 5 and 6 are already well defined based on the requirements documented in specific Announcement of Opportunities (AO) and Concept Study Report (CSR) guidelines, respectively, for competitive missions; and by NASA's Procedural Requirements NPR 7120.5E document for Projects in their Formulation Phase.

Concept Maturity Levels (CMLs)↗

DOE OSTI2025

Integrative path modeling and QTL mapping identify maturity, stem strength, and cell wall composition driving lettuce resistance to Sclerotinia minor

Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) is highly vulnerable to Sclerotinia minor , the pathogen causing lettuce drop. Breeding for resistance is the most effective control strategy; however, full resistance has not been achieved, and current partial resistance sources are often linked with undesirable traits, such as early bolting. This study aimed to unravel the genetic basis of partial resistance to S. minor and its relationship with plant maturity (bolting), stem mechanical strength (SMS), and cell wall composition (CWC) using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between the susceptible iceberg cv. ‘Salinas’ and the resistant oil-seed accession PI 251246. Field evaluations indicated that resistance was linked to earlier bolting, stronger stems, and higher pentose content. Path analysis demonstrated that earlier-maturing plants exhibited increased resistance through enhanced SMS and modified CWC, particularly with higher xylose and lower arabinose levels. Further analysis indicated a significant relationship between syringyl lignin content and resistance, especially in plants with varying bolting responses. Three key quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on linkage groups (LG) 2, 6, and 7 were consistently associated with resistance, bolting, and SMS. Importantly, residual QTL analysis revealed that the resistance locus on LG7 acted independently of maturity, suggesting a distinct resistance mechanism. Callose synthase emerged as a key candidate gene within the LG7 resistance QTL, located near - but distinct from - genes associated with plant maturity and flowering. These findings provide valuable insights into decoupling resistance from early bolting, suggesting a pathway for breeding lettuce cultivars with improved disease resistance and delayed bolting.

Lactuca↗

NASA NTRS1978

Microcrater and solar-flare track maturation of the lunar regolith

The microcrater, pancake and cosmic ray track record in the 100-200 microns feldspar fraction of a variety of surface soils and Apollo and Luna 16-24 cores have been studied. In Luna 24, a study of the glassy agglutinates plus breccias in 9 levels revealed this core was deposited as discrete layers, most of which are immature. Luna 16 and 20 cores were found respectively mature and immature. Glassy agglutinates and impact microcraters, absent to rare in immature soils such as 12033 and 14141, are present in similar abundances on crystals from submature to mature soils. In submature and mature soils, pancakes are present on 60 to 100 percent of crystals and craters on 50 to 70 percent. Microcrater, track and solar wind gas data suggest feldspar crystals in the size range considered reach an equilibrium maturity grade faster than bulk soils. This is interpreted as due to the limited lifetime of these crystals in the lunar regolith.

Poupeau, G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Lunar Resources Using Moderate Spectral Resolution Visible and Near-infrared Spectroscopy: Al/si and Soil Maturity

Modern visible and near-infrared detectors are critically important for the accurate identification and relative abundance measurement of lunar minerals; however, even a very small number of well-placed visible and near-infrared bandpass channels provide a significant amount of general information about crucial lunar resources. The Galileo Solid State Imaging system (SSI) multispectral data are an important example of this. Al/Si and soil maturity will be discussed as examples of significant general lunar resource information that can be gleaned from moderate spectral resolution visible and near-infrared data with relative ease. Because quantitative-albedo data are necessary for these kinds of analyses, data such as those obtained by Galileo SSI are critical. SSI obtained synoptic digital multispectral image data for both the nearside and farside of the Moon during the first Galileo Earth-Moon encounter in December 1990. The data consist of images through seven filters with bandpasses ranging from 0.40 microns in the ultraviolet to 0.99 microns in the near-infrared. Although these data are of moderate spectral resolution, they still provide information for the following lunar resources: (1) titanium content of mature mare soils based upon the 0.40/0.56-micron (UV/VIS) ratio; (2) mafic mineral abundance based upon the 0.76/0.99-micron ratio; and (3) the maturity or exposure age of the soils based upon the 0.56-0.76-micron continuum and the 0.76/0.99-micron ratio. Within constraints, these moderate spectral resolution visible and near-infrared reflectance data can also provide elemental information such as Al/Si for mature highland soils.

Fischer, Erich M.↗