NASA Instruments Development

NASA Office of the Chief Technologist
"NASA's Chief Technologist serves as the NASA Administrator's principal advisor and advocate on matters concerning agency-wide technology policy and programs. The Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) is responsible for direct management of NASA's Space Technology programs and for coordination and tracking of all technology investments across the agency. The office also serves as the NASA technology point of entry and contact with other government agencies, academia and the commercial aerospace community. The office is responsible for developing and executing innovative technology partnerships, technology transfer and commercial activities and the development of collaboration models for NASA.

OCT will provide a technology and innovation focus for NASA through the following goals and responsibilities:
       -  Principal NASA advisor and advocate on matters concerning Agency-wide technology policy and programs.
       -  Up and out advocacy for NASA research and technology programs. Communication and integration with other Agency technology efforts
       -  Direct management of Space Technology Programs
       -  Coordination of technology investments across the Agency, including the mission-focused investments made by the NASA mission directorates. Perform strategic technology integration.
       -  Change culture towards creativity and innovation at NASA Centers, particularly in regard to workforce development.
       -  Document/demonstrate/communicate societal impact of NASA technology investments. Lead technology transfer and commercialization opportunities across Agency"... more

Related Partnerships and Transfer Technology Links
Ames Technology - DFRC - GRC - GSFC - JPL - JSC - KSC - LaRC - MSFC - SSC
Nasa Technology Transfer

The NASA Spinoff
"As a result of a 1958 congressional mandate, NASA, in 1962, created the Technology Utilization Program. It was supported by Technology Utilization Offices at each of the field centers and four Industrial Applications Centers (IACs). The number of IACs grew rapidly to seven by the early 1970s and ten in the early 1980s.

Early studies of Tech Briefs, the publication dedicated to informing the scientific community about available NASA technologies, and ongoing requests received for supporting information, indicated a strong need in the private sector for new technology to aid in the development of commercial products and services.

When spinoff products began to emerge from space technologies, NASA considered the possibility of an annual report to present at congressional budget hearings. The result was a black and white "Technology Utilization Program Report", published in 1973, followed by another one in 1974. The technologies in these reports created interest in the technology transfer concept, its successes, and its use as a public awareness tool. The reports generated such keen interest by the public that NASA decided to make them into an attractive publication. Thus, the first four-color edition of Spinoff was published in 1976.

Each year since, a new issue has highlighted the transfer of NASA technology to the private sector. The Agency distributes copies to politicians, economic decision makers, company CEOs, academics, professionals in technology transfer, the news media, and the general public.

NASA's Spinoff publication accomplishes several goals. First, it is a convincing justification for the continued expenditure of NASA funds. It serves as a tool to educate the media and the general public by informing them about the benefits and dispelling the myth of wasted taxpayer dollars. It reinforces interest in space exploration. It demonstrates the possibility to apply aerospace technology in different environments. It highlights the ingenuity of American inventors, entrepreneurs, and application engineers, and the willingness of a government agency to assist them. And finally, it continues to ensure global competitiveness and technological leadership by the United States." ... more

The Human Systems Integration Division
"The Human Systems Integration Division advances human-centered design and operations of complex aerospace systems through analysis, experimentation, and modeling of human performance and human-automation interaction to make dramatic improvements in safety, efficiency, and mission success.

What is Human Systems Integration
Human Systems Integration is an umbrella term for several areas of "human factors" research that include human performance, technology design, and human-computer interaction. The study of Human Systems Integration at NASA Ames Research Center focuses on the need for safe, efficient and cost-effective operations, maintenance and training, both in space, in flight and on the ground." ... more

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory
"JPL's charter is to conduct robotic space missions for NASA, to explore our own and neighboring planetary systems, understand the origin and evolution of the universe and make critical measurements to understand our home planet and help protect it.

We do this by developing integrated capabilities in engineering, science and technology, in a unique environment that strives for excellence in any of the three areas. To be successful in our ability to implement missions for NASA, we foster research in those areas of space-based science that establish our leadership in the science community and those technologies that allow the innovations that are crucial to maintaining our competitive edge.

Our science, technology and engineering research covers many areas of planetary, astrophysics and Earth science, both as basic research leading to new observations and mission concepts, as well as research based on the data acquired by JPL flight projects.

Our technology research covers areas ranging from robotic systems, a range of in-situ and remote sensing instruments, deep space communications and navigation, information systems, precision flying and planetary protection and survivability." ... more

Related Links
Aerobot Laboratory - DARTS Laboratory - Electric Propulsion Laboratory - Hydrothermal labs - Ice Physics Laboratory - Machine Shop - Microdevices Laboratory
Nondestructive Evaluation and Advanced Actuators - Operations Planning Software Lab - Spectroscopy Laboratory

Instrument Systems and Technology Division
"The Instrument Systems and Technology Division (ISTD) is located within the Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Division provides instrument engineering expertise for the full life cycle of instrument development. With over 180 engineers and technicians, the Division provides the expertise to develop innovative new measurement techniques, advanced instrument concepts, scientific instrument proposals, and instrument systems analysis and implementation to enable advanced state-of-the-art Earth science, space science, and exploration missions.

The ISTD provides leadership and vision in developing and implementing technology programs, collaborating closely with the science community and other customers to identify new and emerging instrument technology requirements. The technologies developed range from subsystems such as detectors, coolers, or optical elements to complete instruments such as hyperspectral imagers or LIDAR systems, aimed at satisfying needs and enabling future science missions, reducing mission cost, enhancing instrument performance, and/or simplifying instrument design and development."... more

Related Links
Goddard Optics - Goddard Cryogenics and Fluids - Goddard Detector Systems - Goddard Laser and Electro-Optics - Goddard Microwave Instrument Technology
Goddard Instrument Systems

JPL Robotics
"JPL Robotics researchers perform development, integration, and demonstration of innovative robotics and automation technologies, supporting NASA missions and addressing other problems of national importance. Researchers work toward enabling more efficient, lower cost missions dedicated to planetary surface and solar system exploration, Earth observations from space, astrophysical experiments in space and on the Moon, and the extension of human capabilities in space." ... more

The JPL's Nondestructive Evaluation and Advanced Actuators (NDEAA)
The JPL's Nondestructive Evaluation and Advanced Actuators (NDEAA) Technologies lab is involved with innovative research and development (R&D) for space applications and technology transfer to other fields. It was established by Dr. Yoseph Bar-Cohen in May 1991 and it is part of his JPL's Advanced Technologies Group for which he is the Supervisor. Dr. Bar-Cohen and his Group members are internationally leading scientists in the field of electroactive materials and related mechanisms.

The members of his Group are Dr. Mircea Badescu, Dr. Xiaoqi Bao, Dr. Zensheu Chang, Dr. Shyh-Shiuh Lih, and Dr. Stewart Sherrit. In addition, thru the JPL Educational Outreach Program professors, visiting scientists and students are participating in various studies at this lab. A homepage of the NDEAA Lab is part of the JPL's Science and Technology Website.

The topics of R&D include novel actuators (mostly using electroactive ceramics and polymers), drilling and sampling systems, transducers, sensors, robotic mechanisms and NDE methods. The group conducts analytical modeling, development, design and fabrication of novel mechanisms and devices, performance testing and characterization as well as analysis that involve mechanical, electrical, magnetic and thermal parameters and interactions. Between Jan. 1, 2000 and Jul. 2, 2001, this NDEAA webhub had 1,000,007 (crossed the one million) total hits with 87,082 unique hits and by Sept. 3, 2001 it crossed the one hundred thousand (100,006) unique hits. The highest hits per day was recorded on March 9, 2005, where 9063 total hits and 3626 unique hits were recorded." ... more

The Mars Exploration Program
"The Mars Exploration Program is a science-driven program that seeks to understand whether Mars was, is, or can be, a habitable world. To find out, we need to understand how geologic, climatic, and other processes have worked to shape Mars and its environment over time, as well as how they interact today.

Mars is similar to Earth in many ways, having many of the same "systems" that characterize our home world. Like Earth, Mars has an atmosphere, a hydrosphere, a cryosphere and a lithosphere. In other words, Mars has systems of air, water, ice, and geology that all interact to produce the Martian environment.

What we don't know yet is whether Mars ever developed or maintained a biosphere--an environment in which life could thrive.

Four Science Goals for Mars Exploration:
Determine whether life ever arose on Mars - Characterize the climate of Mars - Characterize the geology of Mars - Prepare for human exploration" ... more

Operating Missions
Mars Opportunity - Mars Express - Mars Odyssey - Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter - Mars Science Laboratory - MAVEN (Development)

Past missions
Mars Climate Orbiter - Mars Spirit - Mars Global Surveyor - Mars Observer - Mars Pathfinder - Mars Polar Lander - Phoenix - ExoMars

Mars Science Laboratory
"With its rover named Curiosity, Mars Science Laboratory mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet. Curiosity was designed to assess whether Mars ever had an environment able to support small life forms called microbes. In other words, its mission is to determine the planet's "habitability."

Mars Science Laboratory will study Mars' habitability
To find out, the rover will carry the biggest, most advanced suite of instruments for scientific studies ever sent to the martian surface. The rover will analyze samples scooped from the soil and drilled from rocks. The record of the planet's climate and geology is essentially "written in the rocks and soil" -- in their formation, structure, and chemical composition. The rover's onboard laboratory will study rocks, soils, and the local geologic setting in order to detect chemical building blocks of life (e.g., forms of carbon) on Mars and will assess what the martian environment was like in the past.

Mars Science Laboratory relies on innovative technologies:
Mars Science Laboratory will rely on new technological innovations, especially for landing. The spacecraft will descend on a parachute and then, during the final seconds prior to landing, lower the upright rover on a tether to the surface, much like a sky crane. Once on the surface, the rover will be able to roll over obstacles up to 75 centimeters (29 inches) high and travel up to 90 meters (295 feet) per hour. On average, the rover is expected to travel about 30 meters (98 feet) per hour, based on power levels, slippage, steepness of the terrain, visibility, and other variables." ... more

Mars Mission
MSL Science Corner - Goals - Technology - Launch Vehicle - Spacecraft - Rover - Instruments - Mission Timeline - Communications - Team - Where is Curiosity?

Robotics Alliance Project
The NASA Robotics Education Project (REP) is dedicated to encouraging people to become involved in science and engineering, particularly robotics.

REP works to capture the educational potential of NASA's robotics missions by supporting educational robotics competitions and events, facilitating robotics curriculum enhancements at all educational levels, and maintaining a web site clearinghouse of robotics education information." ... more

The Technology Commercialization Center (TeCC)
The Technology Commercialization Center (TeCC) was created and incorporated in Virginia in 1999. TeCC is a small, for-profit, business. TeCC won a NASA competition to operate the NASA Mid-Atlantic Regional Technology Transfer Center (RTTC) in February 2001. On March 13, 2009, TeCC was awarded a 5-year contract by NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) to provide support to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. TeCC's partner in this effort is the Pennsylvania Technology Assistance Program (PennTAP) at Penn State University.

The original TeCC office was in the ARC building in Newport News, VA. TeCC moved to its current location at 144 Research Drive, Hampton, VA in 2002. At that time we shared offices with the National Institute of Aerospace, which later moved into their new buildings. We now share office space with the Hampton Roads Technology Incubator. " ... more

The National Institute of Aerospace
"NIA conducts a broad range of scientific and engineering research sponsored by NASA, other government agencies, and the aerospace industry. This work is performed by resident scientists and engineers, faculty, students, and consultants in principle areas of investigation to include space exploration, systems engineering, materials science, flight systems, aerodynamics, air traffic management, aviation safety, planetary and space science, and global climate change.

Research programs, led by faculty in residence at NIA, serve as the core of the Institute's academic research program. Through NIA's University Research Program, faculty and students at our member universities collaborate with NASA research leaders in fundamental investigations in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering; materials science; applied mathematics, meteorology and other related fields.

NIA also collaborates with leading research institutions worldwide, including universities, government laboratories, industry, and other non-profit institutes to accomplish its research objectives. NIA conducts applied research with and for the aerospace industry. The industry research programs are often collaborative, involving staff, faculty, students, and NASA colleagues. Through NIA, industrial partners can gain access to LaRC personnel, facilities, and intellectual property.

NIA has significant experience developing innovative space transportation and surface systems to support human lunar and Mars exploration for a variety of NASA missions. We have also developed and applied a wide variety of systems analysis tools and methods for the design of these exploration systems. Our in-residence faculty members have led NASA's Exploration System Architecture Study (ESAS) to define the current lunar architecture and supported the development of NASA's Mars architecture systems and technologies." ... more