The dual use technology development program s objective is to create partnerships with U.S. Industry and academic/non-profit organizations that complement the technology development interests of…

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) awarded Auburn University a $85,911 Cooperative Agreement on December 12, 2024, under the Dual Use Technology Development Program to complete testing and characterization of corrosion in silver-plated copper wires used in critical (CRIT 1/1R) cables for rocket applications. The Dual Use Technology Development Program facilitates partnerships between NASA and U.S. industry, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations to support collaborative, resource-sharing projects where both parties benefit from technology development. This award reflects Auburn University's established expertise as a critical federal research partner, particularly in aerospace technology development and materials science research. The project will be performed at Auburn University's Auburn, Alabama campus with an ultimate completion date of December 11, 2026, and no set-aside designation was used for this competitive award.

This cooperative agreement supports NASA's need to understand and mitigate corrosion mechanisms in critical cable components essential to rocket systems, addressing a materials science challenge that impacts aerospace vehicle reliability and performance. Auburn University's role as the prime contractor leverages the institution's demonstrated capabilities in materials characterization, experimental development, and technical services for federal aerospace applications. The award demonstrates NASA's commitment to leveraging academic research institutions' sophisticated analytical capabilities to advance the agency's technology development objectives while providing Auburn University with funding to conduct mission-critical research aligned with its aerospace engineering and materials science programs.

The dual use technology development program s objective is to create partnerships with U.S. Industry and academic/non-profit organizations that complement the technology development interests of msfc and NASA. The goal is to support collaborative, resource-sharing projects where the NASA partner is developing a technology primarily for its own public purposes, and NASA can provide financial support or other assistance.