This $1,299,934 Project Grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, awarded on September 1, 2024, supports the development of a Reflectivity Control and Direction Device (RCDD). This innovative device utilizes polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material to create a material that can switch between opaque and transparent, allowing for the control and direction of solar sail propulsion for space weather monitoring sensors. The RCDD integrates a flexible membrane diffraction grating to change the direction of incident light, enabling six-degree-of-freedom control of the spacecraft and eliminating the need for heavy, complex opto-mechanical devices. This technology advancement is expected to produce a lighter weight sailcraft with improved warning times for adverse space weather events. The awardee, Nexolve Holding Company, LLC, is a small business specializing in the research and development of polyimide-based materials and structures for space applications.
Generated 1/28/25, 10:36 AM