Firm:

          

GSSL, Inc.

          

   

Address:

          

PO Box 909, Tillamook, OR 97141

          

   

Phone:

          

(503) 842-1990                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Mr. Tim Lachenmeier

          

   

E-mail:

          

Tim.Lachenmeier@nsc.aero

          

   

Address:

          

5755 LONG PRAIRIE RD, OR 97141 - 9688

          

   

Phone:

          

(503) 816-2196                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Ahyde Lara

          

   

E-mail:

          

ahyde@nsc.aero

          

   

Address:

          

PO Box 909, OR 97141 - 0909

          

   

Phone:

          

(502) 842-1990                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 5
End: 6

          

          

     

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

The proposed effort focuses on two critical phases required for a successful Venus Aerobot mission.   The aerobot platform is optimized for the science portion of the flight, it must first be deployed to Venus and inflated.  These are the two focus areas for the proposed Phase II effort.  Phase I developed a robust technique for providing a controlled deployment and supported the inflation process by helping align the envelope to prevent damage caused by excessive shock loads or flagging.  Phase I then culminated with hangar tests using off the shelf hardware, demonstrating the feasibility of the design.  Phase II will specifically address mission specific hardware, designed for the requirements of the Venus mission, and validate the deployment and inflation techniques with a flight test.

          

          

     

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

The principal commercial application of this Phase II effort is to validate the mission specific designs necessary for an Aerobot mission to Venus.

There is significant effort to develop Venus Aerobot platforms, primarily focused on the final mission phase.  It is absolutely critical to first be able to deploy and inflate the system once reaching the Venus atmosphere.

          

          

     

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

The techniques developed under this effort also apply to the fast growing commercial operation of high altitude platforms.

          

          

     

Duration:     24