MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification 2026

Differences in the response to radiation is observed between sexes across a variety of biological outcomes associated with carcinogenesis, cardiovascular disease, and changes to the central nervous system (CNS) that may impact astronaut health and performance. Of particular interest are translational biomarkers or bioindicators relevant to changes in cognitive and/or behavioral performance, cardiovascular function, and the development of carcinogenesis in non-sex-specific organs.

Respondents can propose the following types of activities: 

1. Conduct a technique or technology demonstration that demonstrates utility for space radiation research applications either in ground-based experiments or for spaceflight and can be used as justification for future studies and/or HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant applications.
2. Obtain relevant preliminary data that can be used in a future HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant application which can include tissue and/or data sharing opportunities with research collaborators.
   1. Samples available from NASA flight and ground studies can be identified here (approval for tissue release following prize selection is required): https://nlsp.nasa.gov/search/?q=all&pagesize=20&group=Biospecimen-P 
   2. Tissue samples can include, but are not limited to, samples that have already been, or are in the process of, being collected and stored as well as tissues from other external archived banks (e.g., http://janus.northwestern.edu/janus2/index.php). 
   3. Relevant tissue samples and data from other externally funded (e.g., non-NASA) programs and tissue repositories/archives for comparison with high linear energy transfer (LET), medical proton, neutron and other exposures can be proposed.
3. Conduct a literature review of the topic to familiarize the investigator team with the state of the relevant research, NASA’s perspective, current research gaps, and opportunities to further the state of the science. This work will be helpful to identify how the team’s current research could apply to relevant SRE research gaps and be used to inform a future grant application. It is encouraged that this effort culminates in a publication in a peer-reviewed journal as an open access publication. It is recommended that funds are protected for this purpose.

It is expected that the applicant budget for and plan to attend two (2) workshops or scientific conferences to showcase their work and network with thought leaders within the relevant scientific fields. Specifically, it is expected that the applicant will submit an abstract to the 2026 NASA HRP Investigators’ Workshop which will be held in January or February 2026, in Galveston, TX (required), and at least one additional scientific conference relevant to the selected topic.

Strategies to develop countermeasures against terrestrial radiation exposure typically revolve around agents either that 1) alter the physical interactions of normal tissues to direct exposure (i.e., scavenging the reactive oxygen species generated by the radiolysis of water) or 2) mitigate the downstream biological processes following exposure (i.e., reducing the radiation-induced inflammatory response). Clinical radioprotectors are administered before a planned therapeutic exposure(s) to reduce the likelihood and severity of undesirable side effects. To date, Amifostine is the only FDA-approved radioprotector, but the potential side effects, including severe anaphylactic reactions, reduce the operational utility for spaceflight.  Radiomitigators are given following and unexpected exposure such as a terrorist attack or an accidental occupational exposure. Space radiation exposures differ from terrestrial exposures both in the type of radiation experienced and the rates at which those exposures occur. The quality and dose rate of radiation experienced in the deep space environment present unique challenges in terms of replicating them on the ground, estimating health risks from such exposures and developing strategies to counteract those risks. Traditional in vivo strategies to assess interventional countermeasure efficacy require long-term follow up and large animal cohorts, which limit feasible throughput. Time and resource constraints limit the number of compounds that can be tested using these strategies prior to a Mars mission where the exposure to space radiation exceeds NASA’s permissible exposure limits (PELs). Therefore, strategies that accelerate countermeasure identification, prioritization, and validation need to be developed to improve likelihood of success. New high-throughput screening and informatics technologies to pursue large-scale agnostic countermeasure identification in combination with more targeted, informational approaches represent an attractive comprehensive strategy. These approaches would require the identification of relevant surrogate biomarkers for initiation of long-term health outcomes that could confidently predict disease in models appropriate for this “big science” approach. Proposals are sought to identify and/or develop screening techniques to assess compound-based countermeasure efficacy in modulating biological responses to radiation exposure relevant to the high priority health risks of cancer, CVD, and/or CNS. Techniques that can be translated into high-throughput screening protocols are highly desired, however high-content protocols will also be considered responsive. Countermeasures and screening techniques focused on acute radiation effects rather than the priority long-term health impacts listed above will not be considered responsive. 

Respondents can propose the following types of activities: 

1. Conduct a technique or technology demonstration that demonstrates utility for space radiation research applications either in ground-based experiments or for spaceflight and can be used as justification for future studies and/or HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant applications.
2. Obtain relevant preliminary data that can be used in a future HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant application which can include tissue and/or data sharing opportunities with research collaborators.
   1. Samples available from NASA flight and ground studies can be identified here (approval for tissue release following prize selection is required): https://nlsp.nasa.gov/search/?q=all&pagesize=20&group=Biospecimen-P 
   2. Tissue samples can include, but are not limited to, samples that have already been, or are in the process of, being collected and stored as well as tissues from other external archived banks (e.g., http://janus.northwestern.edu/janus2/index.php). 
   3. Relevant tissue samples and data from other externally funded (e.g., non-NASA) programs and tissue repositories/archives for comparison with high linear energy transfer (LET), medical proton, neutron and other exposures can be proposed.
3. Conduct a literature review of the topic to familiarize the investigator team with the state of the relevant research, NASA’s perspective, current research gaps, and opportunities to further the state of the science. This work will be helpful to identify how the team’s current research could apply to relevant SRE research gaps and be used to inform a future grant application. It is encouraged that this effort culminates in a publication in a peer-reviewed journal as an open access publication. It is recommended that funds are protected for this purpose.

It is expected that the applicant budget for and plan to attend two (2) workshops or scientific conferences to showcase their work and network with thought leaders within the relevant scientific fields. Specifically, it is expected that the applicant will submit an abstract to the 2026 NASA HRP Investigators’ Workshop which will be held in January or February 2026, in Galveston, TX (required), and at least one additional scientific conference relevant to the selected topic.

Although innate inflammatory immune responses are necessary for survival from infections and injury, dysregulated and persistent inflammation is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of various acute and chronic conditions in humans, including CVD. A main contributor to the development of inflammatory diseases involves activation of inflammasomes. Recently, inflammasome activation has been increasingly linked to an increased risk and greater severity of CVD. Characterization of the role of inflammasome-mediated pathogenesis of disease after space-like chronic radiation exposure can provide evidence to better quantify space radiation risks as well as identify high value for countermeasure development. Proposals are sought to explore and evaluate the role of the inflammasome in the pathogenesis of radiation-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD), carcinogenesis, and/or central nervous system (CNS) changes that impact behavioral and cognitive function.

Respondents can propose the following types of activities: 

• Conduct a technique or technology demonstration that demonstrates utility for space radiation research applications either in ground-based experiments or for spaceflight and can be used as justification for future studies and/or HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant applications.
• Obtain relevant preliminary data that can be used in a future HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant application which can include tissue and/or data sharing opportunities with research collaborators.
  1. Samples available from NASA flight and ground studies can be identified here (approval for tissue release following prize selection is required): https://nlsp.nasa.gov/search/?q=all&pagesize=20&group=Biospecimen-P 
  2. Tissue samples can include, but are not limited to, samples that have already been, or are in the process of, being collected and stored as well as tissues from other external archived banks (e.g., http://janus.northwestern.edu/janus2/index.php). 
  3. Relevant tissue samples and data from other externally funded (e.g., non-NASA) programs and tissue repositories/archives for comparison with high linear energy transfer (LET), medical proton, neutron and other exposures can be proposed.
• Conduct a literature review of the topic to familiarize the investigator team with the state of the relevant research, NASA’s perspective, current research gaps, and opportunities to further the state of the science. This work will be helpful to identify how the team’s current research could apply to relevant SRE research gaps and be used to inform a future grant application. It is encouraged that this effort culminates in a publication in a peer-reviewed journal as an open access publication. It is recommended that funds are protected for this purpose.

It is expected that the applicant budget for and plan to attend two (2) workshops or scientific conferences to showcase their work and network with thought leaders within the relevant scientific fields. Specifically, it is expected that the applicant will submit an abstract to the 2026 NASA HRP Investigators’ Workshop which will be held in January or February 2026, in Galveston, TX (required), and at least one additional scientific conference relevant to the selected topic.

One of the threats to astronaut health associated with Mars missions is the distance from Earth. Unlike ISS or Lunar missions, the ability to return crew for robust medical treatment is impossible. The capability to assess an astronaut’s individual susceptibility prior to flight, monitor astronaut health in-mission, predict, and monitor astronaut health post-flight, and provide an avenue for early detection of high-risk cancers and other degenerative effects like cardiovascular disease or neurodegeneration across astronaut lifespan is important to minimize the long-term health consequences of space radiation exposure and inform standard of care. Therefore, identification and validation of new and emerging biomedical approaches for early detection and treatment of pre-malignant tissues is necessary for the surveillance of astronaut health over their lifetimes (including pre-flight, in-mission, and post-flight) and assessment of risks to long term health pre-flight, in-mission, and post-flight remains a paramount endeavor.  

Respondents can propose the following types of activities: 

1. Conduct a technique or technology demonstration that demonstrates utility for space radiation research applications either in ground-based experiments or for spaceflight and can be used as justification for future studies and/or HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant applications.
2. Obtain relevant preliminary data that can be used in a future HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant application which can include tissue and/or data sharing opportunities with research collaborators.
   1. Samples available from NASA flight and ground studies can be identified here (approval for tissue release following prize selection is required): https://nlsp.nasa.gov/search/?q=all&pagesize=20&group=Biospecimen-P 
   2. Tissue samples can include, but are not limited to, samples that have already been, or are in the process of, being collected and stored as well as tissues from other external archived banks (e.g., http://janus.northwestern.edu/janus2/index.php). 
   3. Relevant tissue samples and data from other externally funded (e.g., non-NASA) programs and tissue repositories/archives for comparison with high linear energy transfer (LET), medical proton, neutron and other exposures can be proposed.
3. Conduct a literature review of the topic to familiarize the investigator team with the state of the relevant research, NASA’s perspective, current research gaps, and opportunities to further the state of the science. This work will be helpful to identify how the team’s current research could apply to relevant SRE research gaps and be used to inform a future grant application. It is encouraged that this effort culminates in a publication in a peer-reviewed journal as an open access publication. It is recommended that funds are protected for this purpose.

It is expected that the applicant budget for and plan to attend two (2) workshops or scientific conferences to showcase their work and network with thought leaders within the relevant scientific fields. Specifically, it is expected that the applicant will submit an abstract to the 2026 NASA HRP Investigators’ Workshop which will be held in January or February 2026, in Galveston, TX (required), and at least one additional scientific conference relevant to the selected topic.

The uncertainties in how low-dose-rate exposures to particle radiation affect the risk of radiation-associated adverse health outcomes are a major contributor to overall uncertainty in risk estimates. Current risk estimates are primarily based on human epidemiological evidence from the Life Span Study (LSS) of atomic bomb survivors who experienced a single, acute dose of radiation composed primarily of γ-rays with a contribution from neutrons. However, astronauts are exposed to a chronic low-dose-rate space radiation environment. Therefore, risk estimates from acute exposures are scaled using a dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) to reflect the chronic nature of space radiation. The current NASA model applies a central estimate for the DDREF of 1.5 to solid cancer risk estimates that was selected based on the BEIR VII report, which assessed terrestrial human epidemiological and animal data. The uncertainty distribution around the central estimate (95% CI: 0.83 to 2.67) is based on terrestrial human epidemiological data, animal data, and cellular data. Both relative increases and decreases in carcinogenesis-related outcomes have been correlated with changes in dose-rate, dependent on examined endpoints, radiation type, and total dose. Additionally, the interaction between radiation quality, total dose and dose-rate has not been fully established. Limited human epidemiological data is available that may provide a more relevant description of the effects of the chronic or protracted low dose-rate exposures in the context of astronaut risk. It is important to note that particle radiation does not deliver dose at a low dose-rate in a conventional (averaged over a volume) context because particles deposit energy as discrete, clustered ionization events, highlighting the importance of micro-dosimetry. Technological limitations in ground-based accelerator design and capability have largely limited the generation of large experimental data sets that address dose-rate effects for particle exposures. Additionally, no data currently exists to provide understanding for the role of dose-rate in a mixed particle radiation field approximating space. Therefore, more data is necessary to characterize the role of dose-rate in radiation carcinogenesis for chronic space radiation exposures. Research proposals are sought to identify and/or develop novel in vitro human research models specifically to assess the role of low-dose rate space radiation-like exposure on human cancer risk. 

Respondents can propose the following types of activities: 

• Conduct a technique or technology demonstration that demonstrates utility for space radiation research applications either in ground-based experiments or for spaceflight and can be used as justification for future studies and/or HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant applications.
• Obtain relevant preliminary data that can be used in a future HRP OMNIBUS or FLAGSHIP grant application which can include tissue and/or data sharing opportunities with research collaborators.
  1. Samples available from NASA flight and ground studies can be identified here (approval for tissue release following prize selection is required): https://nlsp.nasa.gov/search/?q=all&pagesize=20&group=Biospecimen-P 
  2. Tissue samples can include, but are not limited to, samples that have already been, or are in the process of, being collected and stored as well as tissues from other external archived banks (e.g., http://janus.northwestern.edu/janus2/index.php). 
  3. Relevant tissue samples and data from other externally funded (e.g., non-NASA) programs and tissue repositories/archives for comparison with high linear energy transfer (LET), medical proton, neutron and other exposures can be proposed.
• Conduct a literature review of the topic to familiarize the investigator team with the state of the relevant research, NASA’s perspective, current research gaps, and opportunities to further the state of the science. This work will be helpful to identify how the team’s current research could apply to relevant SRE research gaps and be used to inform a future grant application. It is encouraged that this effort culminates in a publication in a peer-reviewed journal as an open access publication. It is recommended that funds are protected for this purpose.

It is expected that the applicant budget for and plan to attend two (2) workshops or scientific conferences to showcase their work and network with thought leaders within the relevant scientific fields. Specifically, it is expected that the applicant will submit an abstract to the 2026 NASA HRP Investigators’ Workshop which will be held in January or February 2026, in Galveston, TX (required), and at least one additional scientific conference relevant to the selected topic.

Background: 

Future sustained operations on the Moon depend critically on the ability to predict and manage interactions between engineered systems and lunar regolith, a highly granular, angular, and poorly consolidated material that governs mobility, excavation, site preparation, and construction performance. Unlike terrestrial soils, lunar regolith exhibits unique mechanical behavior driven by particle morphology, low gravity, and vacuum conditions, leading to nonlinear sinkage, traction loss, excessive wear, and uncertain excavation forces if not properly modeled. NASA requires high-fidelity, physics-informed soil contact models to enable reliable simulation of surface operations, reduce design risk, and guide mission planning for landers, rovers, surface power systems, and infrastructure associated with the Artemis program. A validated lunar regolith soil contact model allows NASA to conduct virtual prototyping, assess operational margins, and optimize system designs before flight, significantly lowering cost, risk, and schedule impacts while enabling scalable, repeatable surface operations necessary for a sustained human and robotic presence on the Moon.

Problem statement:

This research project focuses on the development and validation of lunar regolith soil–contact models to support high-fidelity simulations of surface operations on the Moon. The work addresses critical challenges in terramechanics, vehicle mobility, excavation, site preparation, foundations and construction for sustained lunar exploration. The project will develop constitutive and contact models that capture the nonlinear, rate-dependent, and pressure-sensitive behavior of lunar regolith simulants when interacting with structures, payloads, wheels, tracks, footpads, blades, and excavation tools. Research activities will include formulation and implementation of regolith foundations, regolith–tool and regolith–vehicle interaction models for use in analytical, reduced-order, and numerical simulation frameworks (e.g., empirical terramechanics models, semi-analytical contact formulations, or discrete/continuum-based approaches). The project will calibrate and validate models using experimental data from laboratory regolith testing and relevant historical and contemporary datasets. Emphasis will be placed on predicting in-situ regolith bearing strength, traction, sinkage, drawbar pull, excavation forces, and terrain disturbance under lunar and Martian gravity and environmental conditions. The ideal team will have a strong background and interest in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, civil/geotechnical engineering, applied physics, or a related field. Desired skills include mechanics of materials, soil mechanics or granular physics, numerical modeling, and proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar computational tools. Experience with multibody dynamics, finite element methods (FEM), discrete element methods (DEM), or robotics simulation environments is advantageous but not required. Prior exposure to terramechanics, off-road vehicle modeling, or planetary surface systems is beneficial. This project provides exposure to NASA-relevant modeling and simulation of lunar surface systems, supporting Artemis and future sustained surface operations through improved predictive capability for regolith–structures-systems interactions.

Problem Statement:

• Simulating microgravity on earth is challenging, however ground-based microgravity simulation devices are important tools to enable space research and risk reduction testing when spaceflight opportunities are so limited. 
• We are looking for proposals to improve simulation hardware, methods, analytical tools, and data interpretation to validate and enhance ground-based microgravity and partial-gravity simulation for enabling deep space explorations.

Methodology: 

Perform extensive analyses, utilizing multi-disciplinary approaches including, but not limited to combinations of modeling (e.g. fluid dynamic modeling), experiments using biological organisms, physical measurements (e.g. using accelerometers), and potential hardware enhancement, to:

• Determine whether ground-based microgravity and partial-gravity simulation conditions are effective to simulate microgravity and partial-gravity effects.
• Identify the root causes of the challenges for achieving effective microgravity and partial-gravity simulation.
• Develop methods and hardware, and/or provide convincing data to improve microgravity simulation and data interpretation.
• List of Simulation Devices: Random Positioning Machines (RPMs); 2-D and 3-D Clinostats; Rotating Wall Vessel Bioreactors
• List of Test Subjects (to name a few): Plants; seeds; mammalian cells; microbes

Background:  

High pressure (up to ~400 bar) pneumatic gas (such as gaseous nitrogen, helium, xenon, krypton, argon, air, and potentially others) compression in a terrestrial environment typically requires a large and heavy piston or diaphragm-style compressor.  The same is unfortunately true for some early design efforts on spaceflight-rated pneumatic gas compressors.  The space environment with its hard vacuum and extreme temperatures (+120 deg C in the sun and -160 deg C in the shade) may enable unique alternatives to pneumatic gas compression.  Future long duration manned and unmanned missions will need gas compression capabilities for in space pneumatic gas transfer or lunar surface (ISRU) gas compression for storage.

Problem Statement: 

Conceptually design an in-space pneumatic compression device utilizing the unique environment of space that is an alternative to typical terrestrial compression devices. One potential use case (example) could be described as follows:  

1. A generic servicing vehicle docks with a spacecraft in lunar orbit that uses regulated high-pressure helium for the spacecraft propulsion system.
2. The docking mechanism includes a high-pressure helium interface.  Through this interface gaseous helium is initially flowed from the high-pressure servicing vehicle tank to the lower pressure client spacecraft tank until the pressures are balanced between the two tanks.
3. At this point, the compression device would take over to extract the remaining helium from the servicer tank into the client vehicle tank.

Note: The device will need to be low mass (<10 kg), use minimal power (<500 Watts), and be a relatively simple design such that its operation does not impart increased risk to the rest of the spacecraft.

Background:  

NASA’s engineering design lifecycle depends on collaboration for Configuration Management, Design Control and Verification & Validation. This project will develop and validate a Collaboration Quotient (CQ) Index, integrating surveys and analytics to model collaboration’s impact on engineering efficiency and effectiveness. 

Problem Statement:  

Collaboration is implicit and unmeasured, limiting improvement opportunities. Some requirements “escapes” have been tied to gaps in traceability and verification. Can collaboration quality be reliably captured and quantified? How does collaboration relate to efficiency/effectiveness in engineering design? Which interventions improve CQ and engineering outcomes?

Methodology: 

• Phase A: Baseline surveys & analytics
• Phase B: Intervention design
• Phase C: Evaluation (quasi-experimental)
• Phase D: Qualitative deep dives

Outcomes:

• Validated CQ Index, CQ dashboards, Practice guides, Peer-reviewed papers

Within the United States, NextGen is the focus for a modernized air transportation system that will support anticipated growth in demand and is operationally efficient while maintaining or improving safety and other performance measures. ARMD will contribute specific research and technology to enable the realization of NextGen and continued development beyond for the Info-Centric National Airspace System (NAS) to achieve safe, scalable, routine, high-tempo airspace access for all users. Similar ongoing international developments, such as the European Union’s Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research effort, are being globally harmonized through the International Civil Aviation Organization. ARMD also will work with the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem, developing concepts and technologies to enable a safe, scalable system for the growth of this new transportation sector. Projected growth in air travel of all types will require a sustained focus on reducing risks to maintain acceptable levels of safety; to that end, ARMD will work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Commercial Aviation Safety Team, and others to perform research and contribute technology that addresses current and future safety risks.

Development of efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally compatible commercial high-speed transports could be a game changer for transcontinental and intercontinental transportation, providing an opportunity to maintain U.S. leadership in aviation systems and generate economic and societal benefits in a globally linked world. To achieve practical and affordable commercial high-speed air travel, ARMD will focus on advancing groundbreaking technologies that overcome barriers to reducing its environmental impact – including use of sustainable aviation fuels -- and realizing innovative economic efficiencies. Since overcoming these barriers likely will involve modifications to regulations and certification standards for high-speed flight, ARMD will conduct its research in cooperation with the FAA, International Civil Aviation Organization, and other aviation regulatory agencies.

Significant improvements in aircraft efficiency, coupled with reductions in noise and harmful emissions, are critical to realizing the aviation community’s projections for growth while achieving increasingly challenging national and international environmental sustainability goals. ARMD seeks to enable substantial efficiency gains through vehicle and propulsion technologies. This includes innovative alternative energy-based propulsion systems through the hybrid-electrification of aircraft propulsion in the mid-term, and reduced demands on sustainable aviation fuel production and potential use of other renewable, non-drop-in energy/fuel solutions in the far-term. ARMD also is working to enable substantial reductions in time and cost to market of aircraft through advanced materials, structures, and manufacturing technologies and enhanced digitalization of the full aircraft life cycle to accelerate aircraft benefits into service. ARMD will work across government, the transport industry, and academia to develop critical technologies to enable revolutionary improvements in economics and environmental performance for subsonic transports. ARMD will actively seek opportunities to transition to alternative propulsion and energy for all categories of subsonic transports, including short-haul and regional aircraft but with an emphasis on large commercial aircraft that dominate aviation’s impact on the environment.

The aviation community expects new and cost-effective uses of aviation including advanced vertical takeoff and landing vehicles and other novel small aircraft that could provide air travel as another transportation mode where it has not historically been practical. Intra-city air travel could provide unprecedented availability and potentially shorter origin-to-destination travel times compared to other modes of transportation. While this capability is expected to greatly increase the demand for air service and significantly increase the number of flights, this mode of air travel will only be practical if the advanced aircraft utilized for these operations provide acceptable levels of safety while reducing their environmental footprint (noise and emissions) compared to existing vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. ARMD will work across government, industry, and academia to develop critical technologies to enable realization of extensive use of vertical lift vehicles for transportation services, including new missions and markets associated with AAM.

In-Time System-Wide Safety Assurance (ISSA) is a safety net that utilizes system-wide information to provide alerting and mitigation strategies in time to address emerging risks. Moving forward, aviation safety needs to take advantage of modern information availability and intelligent systems. New operational concepts will change and diversify aviation and create the need for advanced safety capabilities that operate on a broad scale. ISSA will incorporate both advanced technologies and collaboration between humans and intelligent agents. ISSA must be both system-wide and distributed. The vision for ISSA is to predict, detect, and mitigate emerging safety risks throughout aviation systems and operations.

Ever-increasing levels of automation and autonomy leveraging modern information availability are transforming aviation and the transportation of both people and goods, and this trend will continue to accelerate. ARMD will lead in the research and development of intelligent machine systems capable of operating in complex environments, including the safe integration of larger Unmanned Aircraft Systems and smaller AAM vehicles into the NAS. A collection of complementary methods will be utilized to provide safety assurance, verification, and validation of these systems. To pave the way for increasingly autonomous airspace and vehicles, ARMD will explore human-machine teaming strategies. Advanced metrics, models, and testbeds will enable the effective evaluation of autonomous systems in both laboratory and operational settings to safely implement autonomy in aviation applications.

Power delivery and energy storage in extreme environments remain a high priority gap for NASA. Lunar surface applications will experience extremely low temperatures over the Lunar night cycle, requiring energy storage that can both survive but ideally operate for longer periods into the Lunar night. State-of-the-art battery cell chemistries can operate to -40°C while maintaining roughly 50% of nominal capacity performance. Investigations are sought after to improve the inherent low-temperature performance of these cells to reduce packaging and thermal management overhead, thereby reducing system mass and parasitic power. Solutions would also be extensible to future Mars surface missions.

Micrometeoroid protection is added as an afterthought and significantly contributes to vehicle/structure mass.  Integration of this capability within the primary structure could reduce mass.  Inclusion of health monitoring technologies into the multifunctional primary structure would further reduce mass requirements.

STMD is interested in development of novel or innovative methods and sensors to measure the altering surface or ejected particle environments caused by spacecraft landing effects. This would include characterization of the bulk surface topography and/or geotechnical properties during an erosion event, when the surface may be obscured by lofted particles; also, simultaneous characterization of lofted particle velocities and size/mass. Methods with application to the laboratory only are acceptable if particularly innovative. Methods which are robust to obscuration and/or which could be extended to flight instrumentation are desired.

Future long-duration space missions will require near-zero boil off propellant storage tanks and systems, including those which utilize passive cooling. To enable that future, NASA seeks to develop component technologies whose performance exceeds the current state of the art. This includes, but is not limited to, advancements in thermal jacketing, polymer posts, and insulation materials. NASA seeks to leverage recent advancements in, or further innovate in, new materials and/or advanced fabrication techniques

to enable new technology approaches to achieving this goal. These may include, but are not limited to, investigations of novel micro- or nano-structuring techniques, coatings, spectrally selective materials,

grooves, patterns, photonic crystals, porous metallic nanostructures, and periodic gratings, and birefringent polymers.

Proposals are encouraged to address how materials, fabrication techniques & manufacturing, and/or component developments may be applied to and scaled to propellant system applications including as to how they will be made structurally and mechanically sound.