NASA SBIR 2007 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Plasma Processes, Inc.
4914 Moores Mill Road
Huntsville, AL 35811 - 1558
(256) 851-7653

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Daniel Butts
dbutts@plasmapros.com
4914 Moores Mill Road
Huntsville, AL 35811 - 1558
(256) 851-7653

Expected Technology Readiness Level (TRL) upon completion of contract: 5 to 6

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words)
The ARES J-2X requires a large nozzle extension. Currently, a metallic nozzle extension is being considered with carbon-carbon composite as a backup.

In Phase 1, Plasma Processes Inc. (PPI), with the support from subcontractor ATK Launch Systems, fabricated, coated and test fired Haynes 230 and domestically produced 2-D carbon-carbon nozzle extensions. The test results show coated carbon-carbon intact and Haynes 230 in need of film cooling and emissivity and, or thermal barrier coatings. Oxide emissivity coating reduced the Haynes 230 wall temperature by 500F.

In Phase 2, the primary goal will be to develop the optimum thermal solution for a metallic J2X nozzle extension. Working with Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, high emissivity and thermal barrier solutions will be demonstrated on successively larger components until full size capability is demonstrated. A secondary goal is to continue the demonstration of domestically produced 2-D C/C composite nozzle extension materials and oxygen protective liners for use on liquid rocket engines. The team of Plasma Processes, Inc., Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and ATK Launch Systems offers the state of the art skill set that is uniquely suited to the Phase 2 program.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)
J2X Nozzle Extension
LSAM Ascent and Descent Engines
Leading edges and control surfaces for hypersonic aircraft
Propulsion components for space access and space return vehicles
Propulsion components for Moon/Mars landing vehicles
Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine (CECE)

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)
Nosetips , rocket nozzles and control vanes for strategic and tactical missiles
Thermal control components for nuclear power, power generation, internal combustion, and jet engine applications.
Crucibles
High Power X-Ray Targets

NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.

TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING

Aircraft Engines Biochemical Conversion Ceramics Chemical Composites Cooling Earth-Supplied Resource Utilization High Energy Propellants (Recombinant Energy & Metallic Hydrogen) Metallics Micro Thrusters Monopropellants Multifunctional/Smart Materials Nuclear (Adv Fission, Fusion, Anti-Matter, Exotic Nuclear) Nuclear Conversion Reuseable Thermal Insulating Materials Thermodynamic Conversion