NASA's technology landscape involves developing technologies to enable human space exploration and scientific discovery. Key areas include technologies for extreme environments like radiation resistance and temperature extremes. NASA also focuses on developing technologies to increase safety, productivity, and reduce costs for human spaceflight. Examples include closed-loop life support, surface mobility, and communication systems. The International Space Station is a complex of research laboratories that supports scientific research in microgravity. NASA's science, aeronautics, and space operations directorates each work to advance priority technologies through cutting-edge research partnerships.

1. NASA Technology Landscape
PM Challenge
Galveston, Texas
February 9-10, 2010
Minoo N. Dastoor
Chief Technologist
Used with permission NASA, IPP Office

2. Technology in Extreme Environments
• Launch $
High performance • Aeronautics Applications
weight • Human Habitats
Meteorite
Impact
&
Dust Multifunctional
Resistance Intelligence
• Highly electrostatic
• Ultrafine • Scientific Productivity
• Human Habitats • Human “Amplifiers”
• IVHM
Extreme
Radiation Ultra-sensitive
Resistance Signal capture
• Mission to Europa:
Extreme • Lunar Surface: • Voyager:
1-5 Mrads
Temperature -233 °C to 123 °C Signal From 9.3 x 109mi
Resistance • Mars Surface:
-87 °C to -5 °C
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3. Technology Drivers: Human Spaceflight
Productivity Safety
• Human-Machine Symbiosis • Radiation
• Sensors/Nano-electronics/ • Life Support
Computing
• Data Mining Human • Counter Measures
• Vehicle Health Mgmt.
• Full Cells/Energy
Storage Spaceflight
Cost
• High Strength/Light Weight
• Multifunctionality • Thermal Management
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4. Examples of Critical Technology Needs: Human Spaceflight
• Entry, Descent, and Landing Technology
• Nuclear Propulsion and Power
• LOX-Methane Propulsion and Cryogenic Propellant Storage
• Closed-Loop Life Support
• Surface Mobility Systems
• In-Situ Resource Utilization Systems
• High Bandwidth Communications
• Radiation Protection
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5. Space Operations Mission Directorate
Space
Space Shuttle Communications
International Space Space
Station Transportation
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6. ISS Specifications
Assembly Complete Dimensions
Length: 59 m
Width: 108.5 m
Weight: 419,573 kg
Volume: 963 cubic meters
Orbital inclination/path
51.6 degrees, covering 90% of
the world’s population
Altitude
Approximately 370
km above the Earth
Speed
28,000 kph, orbiting the
Earth 16 times a day
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7. International Space Station Overview
Salient Features
 Complex of research laboratories in low Earth
orbit (LEO) in which U.S. and international
astronauts conduct scientific and technological
investigations in a space environment
 International Partnership including ESA, CSA,
JAXA and RSA
 Heavily dependent on crew and cargo
transportation by multiple capabilities from
several countries
Partners: Objectives
 Support scientific research for human space
 Canadian Space Agency exploration and other activities requiring the
unique attributes of humans in space
 European Space Agency
 Consistent with the Vision for Space
 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Exploration, ISS research is focused on
science and technology development that will
prepare human explorers to travel beyond
 National Aeronautics and
LEO
Space Administration
 Advance the international collaboration of
 Russian Federal Space Agency peaceful human space flight endeavors
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8. Science Modules
Destiny Columbus Kibo
Overarching Constraints:
• Up Mass • Power
• Down Mass • Crew Time
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9. Technology Challenges/Priorities: SOMD
Space Communications Space Transportation
• Optical Communication • Automated Optical Tracking
and Identification
• Spacecraft RF Technology
• Transportation Test
• Antenna Array Transmit
Requirements and
Technology
Instrumentation
• Programmable
• Automated Collection and
Communication System
Transfer of Data
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10. The Science Mission Directorate
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11. Technology Challenges/Priorities: SMD
• New Remote Sensing Technologies to better see,
detect, and measure the Earth, the sun, the solar
system, and the universe
• Large, Lower Cost, Lightweight Mirrors and Space-
Deployable Structures for the next generation of
large telescopes and antennas
• Novel Platforms, including power and propulsion
technologies, that can take instruments to new
vantage points
• Intelligent Distributed Systems that enable
advanced communications, efficient data
processing and transfer, and autonomous
operations of land- and space-based assets
• Information Synthesis to derive useful knowledge
from extremely large data sets through
visualization, advanced simulations, analysis, and
seamlessly linked models
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12. Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)
Fundamental Aeronautics Aviation Safety
Airspace Systems Aeronautics Test
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13. Aeronautics Mission Directorate
The Overarching Mission of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission
Directorate (ARMD):
 To advance U.S. technological leadership in aeronautics in partnership with industry,
academia, and other government agencies that conduct aeronautics-related
research.
 ARMD supports the Agency's goal of developing a balanced overall program of
science, exploration, and aeronautics, and ARMD’s research plans also directly
support the National Aeronautics R&D Policy and accompanying Executive Order
13419.
The Three Core Principles of ARMD:
 We will dedicate ourselves to the mastery and intellectual stewardship of the core
competencies of Aeronautics for the Nation in all flight regimes.
 We will focus our research in areas that are appropriate to NASA’s unique
capabilities.
 We will directly address the fundamental research needs of the Next Generation Air
Transportation System (NextGen) in partnership with the member agencies of the
Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO).
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14. Aeronautics Research Programs
Fundamental Aeronautics Program Aviation Safety Program
Conduct cutting-edge research that will produce Conduct cutting-edge research that will produce
innovative concepts, tools, and technologies to enable innovative concepts, tools, and technologies to
revolutionary changes for vehicles that fly in all speed improve the intrinsic safety attributes of current and
regimes. future aircraft.
SVS HUD
Airspace Systems Program
Directly address the fundamental ATM research needs for NextGen by developing
revolutionary concepts, capabilities, and technologies that will enable significant increases in
the capacity, efficiency and flexibility of the NAS. 14

15. Innovative Partnerships Program
Matching Technology Needs with Technology Capabilities
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16. Innovative Partnerships Program Elements
Technology Innovation Partnership
Infusion Incubator Development
• Small Business • Centennial • Intellectual
Innovation Challenges Property
Research (SBIR) • FAST Management
• Small Business • Technology
• Innovation
Technology Transfer
Transfusion
Transfer
• Innovative • New Innovative
Research (STTR)
Technology Partnerships
• IPP Seed Fund
• New Business
Models
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17. What Does IPP Provide?
• Funding or Leveraged Resources
– NASA SBIR/STTR funds several hundred small businesses
– IPP Seed Fund seeks partnerships to leverage resources with the
private sector and other Federal labs
– Centennial Challenges offers millions in purses
• Technology and Software
– Access through licensing or other partnerships
• Access to Facilities and Test Capabilities
– Access to NASA’s facilities through partnerships
– Technology demonstration opportunities through FAST
• Expertise
– Access to NASA’s technical expertise through partnerships
• Facilitation to enable partnerships
• Advocacy as a change agent to try new things
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18. Mars Exploration Rovers SBIR Technology Infusion Examples
Lithium-ion
batteries for
Stardust and Orion
battery
packs.
Heat switches
to control
ASCII chip for
radiator for
memory modules
electronics
and analog-to-
package.
digital converters.
Space Shuttle and ISS
Mars Phoenix Lander

19. Interested in Partnering with NASA?
Contact the relevant IPP Center Chief(s):
Center Name Email Phone
ARC Lisa Lockyer Lisa.L.Lockyer@nasa.gov (650) 604-0149
DFRC Gregory Poteat Gregory.A.Poteat@nasa.gov (661) 276-3872
GRC Kathy Needham Kathleen.K.Needham@nasa.gov (216) 433-2802
GSFC Nona Cheeks Nona.K.Cheeks@nasa.gov (301) 286-8504
JPL Andrew Gray Gray@jpl.nasa.gov (818) 354-4906
JSC Michele Brekke Michele.A.Brekke@nasa.gov (281) 483-4614
KSC Dave Makufka David.R.Makufka@nasa.gov (321) 867-6227
LaRC Beth Plentovich Elizabeth.B.Plentovich@nasa.gov (757) 864-2857
MSFC Jim Dowdy Jim.Dowdy@nasa.gov (256) 544-7604
SSC Ramona Travis Ramona.E.Travis@nasa.gov (228) 688-1660
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20. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
www.nasa.gov
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