Proposal Number:          21-1- Z13.02-1132

          

          

   

Subtopic Title:
      Dust-Tolerant Mechanisms

          

          

   

Proposal Title:
      Dust Tolerant Joint for In-Space Assembly

          

          

   

Firm:

          

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.

          

   

Address:

          

510 Earl Boulevard, Miamisburg, OH 45342

          

   

Phone:

          

(937) 320-1877                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Jason Hermiller

          

   

E-mail:

          

hermillerjm@crgrp.com

          

   

Address:

          

510 Earl Boulevard, OH 45342 - 6411

          

   

Phone:

          

(937) 320-1877                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Jackie Luce

          

   

E-mail:

          

lucejm@crgrp.com

          

   

Address:

          

510 Earl Boulevard, OH 45342 - 6411

          

   

Phone:

          

(937) 320-1877                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

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

          

          

     

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

Cornerstone Research Group (CRG) proposes the development of a dust tolerant joint to facilitate reliable payload reconfiguration and automated in-space construction in regolith inundated environments. CRG will demonstrate a lightweight, mechanically robust joint capable of securing structures while exposed to regolith particles of similar size to what are known in various space environments such as the lunar surface. This state-of-the-art dust tolerable joint leverages CRG’s shape memory polymer (SMP) reversible joining system, which facilitates self-alignment, low dexterity operation, capture and lock features, electrical isolation, and connectivity feedback if desired. Additionally, CRG’s dust tolerant reversible joint provides NASA with a scalable, modular joining capability that can be used with autonomous assembly systems. Leveraging CRG’s prior development work on shape memory polymer fastening systems and mechanical design expertise, the proposed R&D herein will provide NASA with a multifunctional dust tolerable reversible joint with technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 at the conclusion of the Phase I effort.

          

          

     

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

• In-Space structural assembly and construction
• Moon to Mars Campaign
• Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS)
• Rotary, linear, and static joints
• Manned and unmanned space vehicles
• Payload attachment and removal
• Satellites, solar arrays, and deployable structures

          

          

     

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

• DoD and commercial satellite construction, expansion, refurbishment and In-Space test ranges (i.e. orbital outpost)
• Deployable solar arrays, antennas, and variable vibration damping structures
• Reusable launch vehicles and payload delivery systems
• Space transportation vehicles
• Remote terrestrial shelter construction

          

          

     

Duration:     6