The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $275,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to Raven Space Systems, Inc., a small disadvantaged business in Kansas City, KS. The grant, funded through the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084), aims to develop 3D printing capabilities for high-strength heat shield materials to enable fully 3D printed reentry capsules for space cargo return missions. The core innovation is a platform technology for rapid, large-scale, direct ink write 3D printing of aerospace-grade thermoset composite materials that can survive reentry from space. This research is expected to significantly accelerate space cargo return and reduce costs, promoting the development of a robust low-Earth orbit economy.
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