| PROPOSAL NUMBER: | 03-II T7.02-9799 |
| PHASE-I CONTRACT NUMBER: | NNL04AB53P |
| RESEARCH SUBTOPIC TITLE: | Non-Destructive Evaluation, Health Monitoring and Life Determination of Aerospace Vehicles/Systems |
| PROPOSAL TITLE: | Space Qualified Non-Destructive Evaluation and Structural Health Monitoring Technology |
| SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC): | RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI): | ||
| NAME: | NextGen Aeronautics, Inc. | NAME: | University of South Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADDRESS: | 2780 Skypark Drive, Suite 400 | ADDRESS: | 901 Sumter St, Byrnes Intl 5th Fl |
| CITY: | Torrance | CITY: | Columbia |
| STATE/ZIP: | CA 90505-7519 | STATE/ZIP: | SC 29208-0001 |
| PHONE: | (310) 891-2807 | PHONE: | (803) 777-8018 |
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER
(Name,Email)
Shiv P Joshi
sjoshi@nextgenaero.com
U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident: Yes
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Encouraged by Phase I accomplishments, the proposed Phase II program will significantly mature and align the development of a Space Qualified Non-Destructive Evaluation & Health Monitoring system with the needs of NASA. We are systematically working to improve the TRL to 5 at the end of Phase II and formulate commercialization and product development strategy beyond Phase II.
The proposed health monitoring system features three innovative technologies: excitation of preferential Lamb/Rayleigh wave modes; utilization of phased array concepts; and utilization of software algorithms rather than hardware for beam forming and signal analysis. The ability to detect cracks, corrosion, disbonds, and cracks under bolts for a stiffened panel was demonstrated in Phase I. The detection methods used were pitch-catch, pulse-echo, phased array, and electromechanical impedance.
To efficiently and cost-effectively achieve Phase II objectives, NextGen has teamed with Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Michoud Operations to test the proposed system in realistic environment. A cryogenic, composite LOX tank, built by Lockheed Martin for the X-34, is currently in a test fixture at NASA Marshall and will be used for evaluating our system. Additional tests will be performed to validate the durability and survivability of the system for space certification.
POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
Some NASA health monitoring applications of the proposed system include X-37 demonstrator, space shuttle, international space station, and the orbital space plane programs. When attached to fuel tanks or other critical structure, this system would provide a lightweight, inexpensive VHM system that would reduce launch turn-around time, increase probability of launch success, minimize life cycle costs, and increase the crew return mission success.
POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
Some non-NASA commercial applications of NextGen's health monitoring system include long-term monitoring of nuclear waste storage, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and piping, automated inspection of nuclear power plants, Navy surface ships and submarines, critical engineering structures.