Proposal Number:          21-1- S4.05-1283

          

          

   

Subtopic Title:
      Contamination Control and Planetary Protection

          

          

   

Proposal Title:
      Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilization System

          

          

   

Firm:

          

Skyhaven Systems, LLC

          

   

Address:

          

25557 Bella Vista Circle, P.O. Box 770252, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477

          

   

Phone:

          

(970) 846-0547                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Michael Kimble

          

   

E-mail:

          

mkimble@skyhavensystems.com

          

   

Address:

          

25557 Bella Vista Circle, PO Box 770252, CO 80477 - 0252

          

   

Phone:

          

(970) 846-0547                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Michael Kimble

          

   

E-mail:

          

mkimble@skyhavensystems.com

          

   

Address:

          

25557 Bella Vista Circle, PO Box 770252, CO 80477 - 0252

          

   

Phone:

          

(970) 846-0547                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 2
End: 4

          

          

     

Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

NASA mission planners continue to develop plans for investigating celestial bodies including Europa, Enceladus, and Mars for potential life detection. Contamination Control and Planetary Protection requirements focus on both forward and backward contamination from such bodies where NASA has shown that vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) is an effective method for sterilizing samples and surfaces. However, there are a number of pressing issues NASA mission planners have identified using VHP that include:

 

1. Delivering VHP to the sterilization chamber
2. Mitigating variability in the peroxide concentration within the sterilization chamber
3. Evacuating VHP from the sterilization chamber once sterilization is complete
4. Ensuring samples have been thoroughly and uniformly sterilized culminating in dry samples that can subsequently be stored for long term transport
5. Minimizing expendable losses of oxygen, water, and VHP
6. Minimizing energy, mass, and volume of sterilization components

          

          

     

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

For NASA applications, Contamination Control and Planetary Protection requirements focus on both forward and backward contamination from such bodies where a number of acceptable processes have been developed for sterilizing spacecraft hardware and sample return materials.  Vaporized hydrogen peroxide in particular has been established as an effective sterilant for NASA applications. However, a big challenge is ensuring an effective sterilant is present and efficient for long duration space missions.

          

          

     

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

Commercial opportunities for the hydrogen peroxide generator may be directed toward medical equipment sterilization. Integrating Skyhaven’s compact vaporized hydrogen peroxide generator into a desktop sterilization unit will enable safe and effective sterilization.

          

          

     

Duration:     6