The document outlines NASA's nanotechnology program elements and roadmaps. It discusses 3 key areas: nanoelectronics and computing which focuses on molecular electronics, computing architecture and assembly; sensors which covers life detection, crew health and safety, and vehicle health; and structural materials including composites and multifunctional, self-healing materials. The roadmaps show how nanotechnology could enable revolutionary spacecraft and computing technologies, smart compact sensors, advanced miniaturization and microspacecraft through the 2020s.

1. • Nanotechnology Program Elements
- Nanoelectronics and Computing
- Sensors
- Structural Materials
Nanoelectronics and Computing Sensors
•Molecular electronics & photonics •Life detection
•Computing architecture •Crew health & safety
•Assembly •Vehicle health
Structural Materials
•Composites
•Multifunctional materials
•Self healing

2. • Onboard computing systems for future autonomous intelligent
vehicles
- powerful, compact, low power consumption, radiation
hard
• High performance computing (Tera- and Peta-flops)
- processing satellite data
- integrated space vehicle engineering
- climate modeling
• Revolutionary computing technologies
• Smart, compact sensors, ultrasmall probes
• Advanced miniaturization of all systems
• Microspacecraft
• 'Thinking' spacecraft
• Micro-, nano-rovers for planetary exploration
• Novel materials for future spacecraft

3. NASA Nanotechnology Roadmap
C A P A B I L I T Y
Multi-Functional Materials
Adaptive
Autonomous Self-Repairing
Revolutionary Spacecraft Space Missions
Aircraft Concepts (40% less mass)
Reusable (30% less mass,
High Strength Launch Vehicle 20% less emission,
(20% less mass, Bio-Inspired Materials
Materials 25% increased and Processes
(>10 GPa) 20% less noise) range)
Increasing levels of system design and integration
• Single-walled • Nanotube • Integral • Smart “skin” • Biomimetic
Materials nanotube fibers composites thermal/shape materials material
control systems
• Low-Power CNT • Molecular • Fault/radiation • Nano electronic • Biological
Electronics/
electronic computing/data tolerant “brain” for space computing
computing
components storage electronics Exploration
• In-space • Nano flight • Quantum • Integrated • NEMS flight
Sensors, s/c
nanoprobes system navigation nanosensor systems @ 1 µW
components
components sensors systems
2002 2004 2006 2011 2016
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4. Nanoelectronics and Computing Roadmap
Impact on Space Transportation, Space Science and Earth Science
2002 2005 2010 2015
hν
e-
Sensor Web
Robot Colony
Nano-electronic
components
Mission Complexit Europa Sub
Ultra high density
storage
RLV
Biomimetic,
radiation resistant
Biological Molecules molecular computing
CNT Devices Compute Capacity

5. Nanosensor Roadmap
Impact on Space Transportation, HEDS, Space Science and Astrobiology
2002 2005 2010 2015
Optical Sensors
for Synthetic
Vision
2020
Sensor Web
Nanotube Vibration
Sensor for Propulsion
Diagnostics
Mission Compl Mars Robot Colony Multi-sensor
Bi
Arrays (Chemical,
o
Europa Sub
se
ns
optical and bio)
o
rs
Sharp CJV
Spacestation
Nanopore for in situ
2003 biomark-sensor
ISPP
Missions too early Sensor Capacity
1999 for nanotechnology
DSI RAX impact

6. Nano-Materials Roadmap
Impact on Space Transportation, Space Science and HEDS
2002 2005 2010 2015
Generation 3 RLV
HEDS Habitats
CNT Tethers
SELF-HEALING
MATERIALS
Mission Complex + O3
SO
S
3 O++
H
S
-
SO
Ca
RLV Cryo Tanks
Production of Non-tacky
temperature
Tacky
single CNT SELF-ASSEMBLING
MATERIALS
NANOTUBE MULTIFUNCTIONAL
COMPOSITES MATERIALS
Strong Smart Structures
Nanotextiles
CNT = Carbon Nanotubes

7. Biomimetics and Bio-inspired Systems
Impact on Space Transportation, Space Science and Earth Science
2002 2010 2020 2030
Embryonics Self Assembled Array Space Transportation
Mission Complexit Biologically inspired
aero-space systems
Brain-like
Sensor Web computing
Extremophiles
Mars in situ
life detector Skin and Bone
Self healing structure
and thermal protection
systems
DNA
Computing
Biological nanopore Artificial nanopore Biological Mimicking
low resolution high resolution