National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Technology Transfer 2000 Program Solicitation
Topic 5: Rocket Engine Test Operations
NASA Installation: Stennis Space Center
http://www.ssc.nasa.gov
Proposals are solicited for innovative concepts in the area of propulsion test
operations. Proposals should support the reduction of overall propulsion test
operations costs (recurring costs) and/or increase reliability and performance
of propulsion ground test facilities and operations methodologies. Specific
areas of interest in this subtopic include the following:
Facility and Test Article Health-Monitoring Technologies
- Innovative non-intrusive sensors for measuring flow rate, temperature, pressure,
rocket engine plume constituents, and effluent gas detection
- Liquid level sensors for very high-pressure (over 8000 psi) for liquid hydrogen
and liquid oxygen tanks using existing probe ports
- Rugged, high accuracy (0.2%) temperature measuring sensors and instrumentation
for very high pressure, high flow rate cryogenic piping systems
- On-line particulate and quality sampling for facility propellant (liquid
oxygen and hydrogen) and support gas systems (helium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
and missile-grade air)
Improvement in Ground-Test Operation, Safety, Cost-effectiveness, and Reliability
- Smart system components (control valves, regulators, and relief valves)
that provide real-time closed-loop control, component configuration, automated
operation, and component health
- Application of smart sensors to propulsion testing
- Improved long life, liquid oxygen compatible seal technology
Application of System Science to Ground Test Operations in a Resource Constrained
Environment
- Digital simulation techniques to support decision making processes to address
reliability, availability, and return on investment
- Techniques to reduce required sample size to maintain acceptable levels
of confidence in cost data
[ back to Solicitation back to Chapter 8 ]
