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Flight Opportunities — Infusion & Transition Tracker

Where did FO-tested technologies go? This KB traces every Flight Opportunities project to its downstream impact — mission infusion, DoD adoption, commercial products, follow-on contracts.

Data scope: 445 FO projects (430 original + 15 new), TechPort snapshot 2026-04-04
KB started: 2026-04-05 (Session 1)
Last updated: 2026-04-07 (Session 100)

## Navigation ### Master Documents - [**fo-portfolio-tracker.md**](fo-portfolio-tracker.md) — Full portfolio with investigation status, priority tiers, and key findings. Start here. - [**meta/best-sources.md**](meta/best-sources.md) — What works and what doesn't for FO tracing - [**meta/linkages-fo.json**](meta/linkages-fo.json) — Validated linkages (structured, 135 entries) ### Master Analysis - [**archetypes.md**](archetypes.md) — **16 archetypes** for FO downstream transfer, with base rates, conditions for success, and the NDL Principle. Key synthesis document. (Updated Session 30: +Archetype 16 "Deep Academic Partnership" + distribution updated to 430 projects + 6th acquisition (World View→Ondas) + Terran Orbital $450M enterprise value confirmed) ### Organization Pages (~190 investigated, 97+ orgs/companies) | Company | FO Project(s) | Outcome | Page | |---------|--------------|---------|------| | Controlled Dynamics Inc. | 91391 | DSOC/Psyche mission infusion (completed Sep 2025; 307M-mile record, 13.6 Tb) + **ESA interop Jul 2025** + DoD HEL ($5.4M tracked) | [organizations/controlled-dynamics.md](organizations/controlled-dynamics.md) | | Made in Space (→Redwire) | 91394, 106680 | ISS AMF + $10M+ contracts + Redwire acquisition; GAMMA-ALF dead end | [organizations/made-in-space.md](organizations/made-in-space.md) | | SpaceX | 94146 | Dragon V2 PMD → Crew Dragon (~20 crewed flights through Crew-12, Feb 2026) | [organizations/spacex-dragon-v2-pmd.md](organizations/spacex-dragon-v2-pmd.md) | | ADA Technologies | 12180 | **Mission Infusion (ISS deployed Dec 2015)**: 13 FWM PFEs replacing CO2 extinguishers; Orion Phase III; patent; $3.4M NASA + $46M+ DoD | [organizations/ada-technologies.md](organizations/ada-technologies.md) | | Solstar Space Company | 91329 | **Deke orbital Apr 2026** (Vigoride 7); $15M Momentus deal; Gateway HALO paused; $2.97M tracked; USAF primary customer | [organizations/solstar-space.md](organizations/solstar-space.md) | | World View Enterprises (→Ondas Apr 2026) | 89368 | **Acquired by Ondas Holdings Apr 2026**; Stratollite ISR 140+ flights; Palantir AI-ISR collab | [organizations/world-view-enterprises.md](organizations/world-view-enterprises.md) | | Eigen Strategies | 91651 | Completed TRL7 (NS-35 Sep 2025); InSPA/CLD/Artemis alignment; no contracts found | [organizations/eigen-strategies.md](organizations/eigen-strategies.md) | | Firefly Aerospace | *(host, not performer)* | **Blue Ghost M1**: first successful commercial Moon landing (Mar 2025); 4 FO techs on Moon; $432M+ NASA; **2025 Collier Trophy** (announced Mar 18 2026); Alpha Flight 7 Mar 2026; M2 JPL testing complete | [organizations/firefly-aerospace.md](organizations/firefly-aerospace.md) | | Momentus Space (MNTS) | *(flight provider)* | **FO orbital flight infrastructure**: Vigoride 7 on orbit (Mar 2026, 10 payloads incl Solstar Deke + CisLunar EPIC); Vigoride 8 NET 2027 (COSMIC [184152] + JUNO RDRE [184154]); $10.1M govt; $7.2M NASA Armstrong/FO | [organizations/momentus-space.md](organizations/momentus-space.md) | | Tyvak → Terran Orbital → Lockheed | 94197, 106591 | Lockheed Martin acquisition Oct 2024 (~$450M); SDA constellation factory (98K sqft, 20+ sats/mo); T2TL Gamma $254M **cancelled** (Tournear scandal); Tranche 3 $1.1B via Lockheed | [organizations/tyvak-terran-orbital.md](organizations/tyvak-terran-orbital.md) | | Busek Company | 91700 (canceled) | BIT-3 iodine thruster; BHT-6000 on SR-1 Freedom Mars; ASCENT $14.3M; ~$97M+ contracts | [organizations/busek-company.md](organizations/busek-company.md) | | Ventions LLC → Astra Space | 94198 | 110 satellite engines shipped 2025; breakeven EBITDA; new rocket 2026; $13M Q4 2025 | [organizations/ventions-astra-space.md](organizations/ventions-astra-space.md) | | Sierra Nevada Corp (ZGMMD) → Sierra Space | 71984 | **TRL9 → ISS deployed (2017–present) → commercial product (MMD)** | [organizations/sierra-nevada-zgmmd.md](organizations/sierra-nevada-zgmmd.md) | | Astrobotic Technology | 91338 (canceled), 93996 | CLPS $561M+; Griffin-1 NET Jul 2026 (FLIP + LunaGrid-Lite $34.6M + CubeRover); ASICS SBIR Feb 2026; 3 Xodiac successors; MoonRanger→Firefly BG4 2029 | [organizations/astrobotic.md](organizations/astrobotic.md) | | Near Space Corporation | 12460, 106710 | Aerostar acquisition March 2024 | [organizations/near-space-corporation.md](organizations/near-space-corporation.md) | | Ad Astra Rocket (VASIMR) | 12181 | VF-150 Flight Program (Oct 2025); $15M NASA; SpaceNukes NEP alliance; hydrogen diversification | [organizations/ad-astra-vasimr.md](organizations/ad-astra-vasimr.md) | | UP Aerospace, Inc. | 94196, 94202, 106636 | Spyder-1 Mach 10+ (Jun 2025, LANL); SL-18 AM-TPS heat shield (Nov 2025, Redwire/LANL); Spyder-2 GNC early 2026; orbital aspirational only; $10.4M NASA | [organizations/up-aerospace.md](organizations/up-aerospace.md) | | Masten Space Systems (→Astrobotic) | 94201 | M10A engine absorbed by Astrobotic ($4.5M acq, 2022); CLPS $66M cancelled | [organizations/masten-space-systems.md](organizations/masten-space-systems.md) | | Henry Ford Health System | 94139 | ISS ultrasound protocols + global telemedicine (40+ countries via UN); Space Tech Hall of Fame | [organizations/henry-ford-health.md](organizations/henry-ford-health.md) | | Orbital Medicine, Inc. | 12196 | Proof of concept only — TRL6, no ISS deployment | [organizations/orbital-medicine.md](organizations/orbital-medicine.md) | | NASA LaRC / Psionic / SurePath Nav (NDL) | 91351, 106687 | IM-1 + IM-2 lunar landings; GCD Tipping Point [146990]; F/A-18 tests Feb 2025; $15.65M; 8 TechPort projects | [organizations/psionic-ndl.md](organizations/psionic-ndl.md) | | AFRL Kirtland / TMT (IsoTherm) | 12187, 93857 | Phantom Space acquired TMT April 2026 for orbital data centers | [organizations/tmt-isotherm.md](organizations/tmt-isotherm.md) | | Nexolve (→Applied Aerospace & Defense Dec 2025) | 106590 | **Acquired Mar 2025→merged PCX ($500M+, Dec 2025)→acquired Vestigo deorbit (Feb 2026)**; PTD-4 boom 18mo unresolved; $19M+ NASA | [organizations/nexolve-lisa-t.md](organizations/nexolve-lisa-t.md) | | Falcon ExoDynamics | 145009 | **TechLeap winner** (Sep 2024); Handle 2.0 on Victus Salo2 (late 2026); $2.23M DoD | [organizations/falcon-exodynamics.md](organizations/falcon-exodynamics.md) | | Mango Materials Inc. | 106654 | BioMADE Jun 2026; Vacaville facility operational; BEAM Circular partnership Jan 2026; VC round Jul 2025 | [organizations/mango-materials.md](organizations/mango-materials.md) | | Saber Astronautics | 12457 | Software pivot: DragEN TRL6 not deployed; company→$8.7M DoD space ops software (Sentinel, WINDU) | [organizations/saber-astronautics.md](organizations/saber-astronautics.md) | | Massachusetts General Hospital | 93962 | NINscan TRL4→7; NINscan-SE in clinical use (Epilepsy Foundation); 4+ pubs; **BRAIN-SANS 8-modality ICP suite** (HRP ended Mar 2026, ~6 manuscripts in prep) | [organizations/mgh-ninscan.md](organizations/mgh-ninscan.md) | | NanoRacks (→Voyager Tech NYSE:VOYG) | 93991 | Centrifuge TRL5→6; **IPO $3.8B Jun 2025**; Starlab 35 milestones, ~2029; **CLD Phase 2 uncertain** (NASA Ignition RFI); Defense 59% YoY | [organizations/nanoracks.md](organizations/nanoracks.md) | | SpaceWorks / Terminal Velocity Aerospace | 94161, 106674, 184152 | RED payload return + X-60 resurrected (MACH Jan 2026); FuseBlox cryo; $70M+ combined | [organizations/spaceworks-tva.md](organizations/spaceworks-tva.md) | | Blue Origin | 158500 | Landing Lidar (TRL4→4); likely feeding Blue Moon MK1 (VIPER, 2028); TRL didn't advance | [organizations/blue-origin-lidar.md](organizations/blue-origin-lidar.md) | | Zandef Deksit | 106700 | ExoCam TRL4→6; Masten bankrupt 2022; technology in limbo; FY24 SBIR $150K active | [organizations/zandef-deksit.md](organizations/zandef-deksit.md) | | Astrobotic (second FO project) | 93996 | AAS TRL4→6; core landing tech for Peregrine/Griffin; LaRC continuation $7.97M | *(see astrobotic.md)* | | Space Environment Technologies | 106715 | ARMAS FM11 on IM-2 Athena → Moon March 6, 2025 (southernmost landing ever); ~$7.9M tracked | [organizations/set-armas.md](organizations/set-armas.md) | | Honeybee Robotics (Blue Origin) | 89413, 106599, 145004, 106621, 106632 | **PlanetVac lunar regolith collection on Blue Ghost (Mar 2025)**; JAXA MMX Phobos (2026); $193M+ NASA; POCCET TRL stagnation; **see [topic page](topics/honeybee-planetvac-cluster.md)** | [organizations/honeybee-poccet.md](organizations/honeybee-poccet.md) | | Orion Labs LLC | 106608 | QEOBS TRL3→5; TechLeap Prize winner; balloon quantum ML demo 2022; no follow-on contracts | [organizations/orion-labs-qeobs.md](organizations/orion-labs-qeobs.md) | | Creare LLC | 155234, 158702 | LAD TRL5→6 + Freeze-Tolerant Radiator TRL4→6; feeds Artemis cryo propellant mgmt; Creare $60M+ NASA cryo portfolio | [organizations/creare-lad.md](organizations/creare-lad.md) | | Aurora Flight Sciences (→Boeing) | 91361 | EDLS TRL4→6; patent filed; Boeing absorbed Aurora 2017; ISS deployment unconfirmed | [organizations/aurora-edls.md](organizations/aurora-edls.md) | | Rocket Lab USA | 106644 | Re-entry ACO TRL4→4; testbed without NASA payloads; Electron catch was self-funded | [organizations/rocket-lab-reentry.md](organizations/rocket-lab-reentry.md) | | Aerojet Rocketdyne | 91362 (canceled) | MPS-120 canceled TRL4→4; MPS-100 product line commercially listed via parallel paths | [organizations/aerojet-mps120.md](organizations/aerojet-mps120.md) | | Southwest Research Institute | 91392 (canceled) | Solid-state fine steering TRL4→4; BOPPS FSM succeeded in parallel; SwRI balloon science continues | [organizations/swri-fine-steering.md](organizations/swri-fine-steering.md) | | Protoinnovations, LLC | 158499 | Wheel-Regolith TRL6→8; CMU spinoff (Apostolopoulos); VIPER wheel testing; $19-20M NASA contracts through 2027 | [organizations/protoinnovations.md](organizations/protoinnovations.md) | | Space Environment Technologies | 89360, 106715 | ARMAS-Hi precursor [89360] + ARMAS DM POMD [106715] → FM11 Moon landing Mar 2025; ~$7.9M tracked | [organizations/set-armas.md](organizations/set-armas.md) | | Made in Space (→Redwire) | 91394, 106680, 155254 | FDM→ISS AMF (TRL9); GAMMA-ALF dead end; MSTIC→ISS NG-20 Feb 2024 (18 semiconductor samples); Redwire semiconductor market | [organizations/made-in-space.md](organizations/made-in-space.md) | | Space Foundry, Inc. | 106722 | Plasma jet printing TRL4→6; NASA Spinoff 2024; ODME ISS demo likely different toolheads; diamond quantum SBIR didn't advance; $2.3M | [organizations/space-foundry.md](organizations/space-foundry.md) | | HeetShield, Inc. | 106740 | HIAD TPS (OFI+FIRA) TRL4→6; Aug 2024 flight; HIAD co-I = LaRC HIAD manager; pre-revenue startup | [organizations/heetshield.md](organizations/heetshield.md) | | Teledyne Energy Systems | 106653 | HEPS hydrogen fuel cell TRL4→6; New Shepard Sep 18, 2025; Artemis lunar power; DOE $12.59M + NASA $2.69M; Apollo heritage | [organizations/teledyne-energy.md](organizations/teledyne-energy.md) | | IMEC USA Nanoelectronics | 106657, 106660 | Neuropixels electrophysiology TRL5→7 + LFI TRL6→7; Dec 2023 New Shepard; npj Microgravity (Nature) 2025; VGLUT alteration | [organizations/imec-usa-neuropixels.md](organizations/imec-usa-neuropixels.md) | | Space Lab Technologies, LLC | 106694 | Duckweed hydroponics TRL4→6; LILYPOND at NASA May 2025; EcoMine ~$1.2M; SOSH habitat sensing; PI doing PhD on CELSS; $4.1M+ | [organizations/space-lab-technologies.md](organizations/space-lab-technologies.md) | | Airborne Systems North America | 91422, 93997 | CPAS parachutes on **Artemis II** (Apr 2026); Orion $14.57M NASA; $350M+ DoD; FMS international sales | [organizations/airborne-systems.md](organizations/airborne-systems.md) | | Mayo Clinic Jacksonville | 106717 | ATOM TRL4→6; Zubair ISS stem cell program (5 ISS missions 2017–2025); CRS-33 bone loss exp Aug 2025; npj Microgravity 2024 | [organizations/mayo-clinic-atom.md](organizations/mayo-clinic-atom.md) | | Night Crew Labs LLC | 106714 | GNSS-RO TRL5→6; founder Chan now VP at Xona Space Systems + GPS.gov advisor; 2024 GRL paper; $519K | [organizations/night-crew-labs.md](organizations/night-crew-labs.md) | | Paragon Space Development | 155245 | COSMIC condensate separator TRL4→5; feeds ISS WPA; Paragon is ISS BPA contractor + Artemis HALO life support team; $30M+ NASA | [organizations/paragon-cosmic.md](organizations/paragon-cosmic.md) | | CisLunar Industries USA | 158519 | **Pivoted to power electronics**: EPIC PPU on orbit (Vigoride 7 Mar 2026, healthy); SMPS/ISS deprioritized; $2.6M seed Mar 2026; Momentus $5M placement Jan 2026; $7.6M tracked | [organizations/cislunar-industries.md](organizations/cislunar-industries.md) | | Sierra Lobo, Inc. | 158680 | MLA compact robot TRL5→6; CERISS parabolic flights Mar 2024 (Zero-G); SBIR H8.01-5371 lineage; ISS MSG operator; CryoCube flight heritage; $700M+ portfolio | [organizations/sierra-lobo-mla.md](organizations/sierra-lobo-mla.md) | | The Vital Space Team | 12203 | Non-invasive physio monitoring TRL4→6; PI Komatireddy pivoted to Daytona Health/Motiv Labs; no aerospace follow-on | [organizations/vital-space-team.md](organizations/vital-space-team.md) | | Honeybee Robotics (Blue Origin) | 145004, 106621, 106632 | POCCET TRL5→5 (no advance) + ASSET asteroid soil TRL5→6 + H-BEE O2 extraction TRL4→5; Firefly lunar rover 2028; Blue Origin subsidiary | [organizations/honeybee-poccet.md](organizations/honeybee-poccet.md) | | Giner, Inc. | 155244 | NFTFC fuel cell TRL4→6; gas-liquid separator validated; SBIR Phase III RFC 2kW ($931.3K); DHA STTR gene detection ($1.1M); ~$28M+ govt portfolio | [organizations/giner-inc.md](organizations/giner-inc.md) | | The Aerospace Corporation | 106642 | Cryogenic pressurization TRL5→6; npj Microgravity (Nature) Jul 2025; 19 parabolic flight cases; Artemis propellant data gap closed | [organizations/aerospace-corp-cryogenics.md](organizations/aerospace-corp-cryogenics.md) | | Mudawar Thermal Systems Inc. | 184140 | Cryogenic pool boiling TRL3→4; 1-month FO Sep 2025; STTR Phase III follow-on $366.6K Apr 2026; Issam Mudawar/Purdue; Mars ISRU cryogenics | [organizations/mudawar-thermal.md](organizations/mudawar-thermal.md) | | Air Squared, Inc. | 106684 | **SBIR Portfolio Company**: MOXIE Mars (first O₂ Apr 2021); $6.73M+ NASA; $26.9M revenue; Venus aerobot; tritium/fusion new vertical; Thornton CO | [organizations/air-squared.md](organizations/air-squared.md) | | **GRC Heat Pipe → Kilopower → FSP** | 12184, 93976 | **FO→FO→GCD→TDM chain**: thermosyphon flooding (parabolic) → RCHS (sounding rocket Jul 2015) → KRUSTY demo Mar 2018 → **FSP Active** (40 kWe lunar reactor, early 2030s); same PI (Marc Gibson); $25M+ tracked | [organizations/grc-heat-pipe-kilopower.md](organizations/grc-heat-pipe-kilopower.md) | | ARC ADEPT — Deployable Entry | 91412 | SR-1 sounding rocket Sep 2018 (UP Aerospace, WSMR); deployment + stable entry confirmed; GCD parent [13596, 94041]; Venus/Mars/Titan mission concepts; no mission selected | [organizations/arc-adept-deployable-entry.md](organizations/arc-adept-deployable-entry.md) | | ARC AVA — Affordable Vehicle Avionics | 91427 | SL-11 flight 2018 roll-axis control; patent US10669045; no commercial adoption; market overtaken; **erroneous technologyOutcomes linkages** (data quality exemplar) | [organizations/arc-ava-avionics.md](organizations/arc-ava-avionics.md) | | ARC LPX — Lunar Plant Growth Experiment | 91334 | TRL 5→6; Chris McKay PI; microfluidics water delivery for Moon; Moon Express GLXP partnership lost; 1 legit lineage (← CIF [10602]); conceptual ancestor to LEAF (Artemis III, Space Lab Technologies) | [organizations/arc-lpx-lunar-plants.md](organizations/arc-lpx-lunar-plants.md) | | Gannon University — Cosmic-Ray Calorimeter | 14153 | TRL 4→7; SiPM validation for balloon detectors; NIM A 2015 paper; STEM education archetype; World View balloon 105K ft; erroneous outcomes ×2 | [organizations/gannon-cosmic-ray.md](organizations/gannon-cosmic-ray.md) | | ASU — CubeSounder Weather Imaging | 106656 | TRL 4→6; mm-wave filter bank on World View balloons; Closed Out Apr 2025; PI Bryan may have moved to JPL; no commercial entity; NOAA market not pursued | [organizations/asu-cubesounder.md](organizations/asu-cubesounder.md) | | Vanderbilt — VIPER Microfluidics | 106604 | TRL 4→4 (stagnation); PI Wikswo (VIIBRE, 47 patents, 2025 Master Innovator); no ISS deployment; founding Regemus Technologies; FO minor in large portfolio | [organizations/vanderbilt-viper-microfluidics.md](organizations/vanderbilt-viper-microfluidics.md) | | UofL — Dehydrated Red Blood Cells | 155246 | TRL 5→7 target; PI Pantalos (4th FO project, 14-year arc); ambient-temp blood storage; ZERO-G Nov 2019; dual-use military; active through Jun 2026 | [organizations/uofl-dehydrated-rbc.md](organizations/uofl-dehydrated-rbc.md) | | CMU — HERDS Deployable Structures | 182833 | TRL 3→6 target; 50-100× expansion; PI Manchester (NSF CAREER); parabolic flight 2025; artificial gravity habitats; active 2025–2028 | [organizations/cmu-herds-deployable.md](organizations/cmu-herds-deployable.md) | | JHU — Vestibulo-Ocular Assessment | 12195 | TRL 4→6; VAN/TAN technique; patent US9072481; PI Shelhamer (former HRP Chief Scientist); no commercial product | [organizations/jhu-vestibulo-ocular.md](organizations/jhu-vestibulo-ocular.md) | | UCF — Ejecta STORM Lunar Plume Instrument | 106706 | TRL 4→6; PI Metzger (former KSC); 4-laser particle sizer; Masten 2021 + Astrobotic Xodiac 2023 flights; MDPI Aerospace 2024; spawned Truventic EjectaBLAST | [organizations/ucf-ejecta-storm.md](organizations/ucf-ejecta-storm.md) | | Truventic LLC — EjectaBLAST | 158364 | TRL 4→6 target (ending Apr 2026); Ejecta STORM successor; $5.4M (NASA $925K + $4.5M DoD IR); SBIR portfolio company | [organizations/truventic-ejectablast.md](organizations/truventic-ejectablast.md) | | JPL Precision Landing (G-FOLD + FOALS) | 12272, 91418 | G-FOLD TRL3→5 + ADAPT/LVS TRL4→6; Masten Xombie 2013-2014; **Perseverance LVS flew Feb 2021, landed within 5m** (Mars 2020); SPLICE program | [organizations/jpl-precision-landing.md](organizations/jpl-precision-landing.md) | | Draper Laboratory (GENIE → DMEN → CP-12) | 12186, 106585, 106613, 106711 | 14-year FO arc; TRN/precision landing; DMEN on CP-12 CLPS far-side; **CP-12 delayed to NET 2030** (ispace ULTRA redesign); DMEN tech mature (NS-29 Feb 2025); $56.93M | [organizations/draper-precision-landing.md](organizations/draper-precision-landing.md) | | JHU/APL — VACNT Radiometers | 91344 | **CORRECTED Session 96:** TRL stayed 3; FO sRLV flight likely never occurred; RAVAN CubeSat was ESTO/InVEST-funded; Libera VACNTs via NIST→LASP not APL | [organizations/jhuapl-vacnt-ravan.md](organizations/jhuapl-vacnt-ravan.md) | | Harvard University — Wildfire Smoke | 155261 | Multi-sensor stratospheric wildfire detection TRL4→7; controlled burn flight Apr 23 2025; FRP + smoke plumes from 15-20km; community warning application | [organizations/harvard-wildfire-smoke.md](organizations/harvard-wildfire-smoke.md) | | JHU/APL — JANUS Platform → SELINE | 91355, 91597, 106633, 106720 | 12-year JANUS arc (Todd Smith PI); Europa Clipper PIMS adaptation; **SELINE CLPS 2028 selected Jan 2026** (PI Drew Turner = PIMS investigation scientist); lunar radiation for human exploration safety | [organizations/jhuapl-janus-seline.md](organizations/jhuapl-janus-seline.md) | | JPL — Gecko Adhesive Grippers | 91341 | FO TRL5→6; ISS Astrobee demo Apr 2021 (3.15N, IEEE RA Mag Oct 2022); OnRobot SP1/SP3/SP5 (still selling 2026); **PI Parness left JPL → Amazon Robotics**; Phoenix Gecko Gripper static | [organizations/jpl-gecko-gripper.md](organizations/jpl-gecko-gripper.md) | | JPL — SPARTA Regolith Instrument | 106611, 106730 | Geotechnical penetrometer TRL4→6; LPSC 2025 abstract; Honeybee Robotics co-PI; no mission confirmed yet | [organizations/jpl-sparta.md](organizations/jpl-sparta.md) | | JPL — Advanced Micro Sun Sensor | 12284 | TRL5→6; delivered to Georgia Tech but **Prox-1 descoped 2017 — sensor removed before launch**; originally baselined for MSL | [organizations/jpl-micro-sun-sensor.md](organizations/jpl-micro-sun-sensor.md) | | KSC — Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) | 106586 | TRL4→6; **Rocket Lab first US Electron launch** (LC-2 Wallops, Dec 2020); KSC Tech Transfer award; ~30+ subsequent US Rocket Lab launches enabled | [organizations/ksc-afts.md](organizations/ksc-afts.md) | | GRC — RF Mass Gauge + FSP Thermal Arc | 12177, 91405, 12184, 93976 | RF gauging → **RRM3 ISS demo + Perseverance CFM**; FSP heat pipes/spreader → FSP radiator supply chain; PI Zimmerli + PI Gibson (FSP lead) | [organizations/grc-cryogenic-power.md](organizations/grc-cryogenic-power.md) | | Montana State University (RadPC) | 91411 | FO TRL5→7 → RTcMISS ISS Dec 2016 → RadSat-g Jul 2018 → **Firefly Blue Ghost lunar surface Mar 2025 (TRL 9)**; Resilient Computing spinoff; $1.6M NASA CLPS | [organizations/msu-radpc.md](organizations/msu-radpc.md) | | NASA Ames — Exo-Brake (Murbach) | 91382 | TRL 3→8 (highest gain); 4 post-FO TechEdSat missions (2021-2022); TES-7 87% lifetime reduction; no controlled sample recovery; program wound down ~2022; **Archetype 14** | [organizations/exo-brake.md](organizations/exo-brake.md) | | UC Berkeley — SpaceCAL | 106639 | TRL 4→7; Virgin Galactic 07 Jun 2024; LLNL/Space Tango ISS bioprinting (InSPA); Acta Astronautica 2023; co-I Tracie Prater (NASA Marshall) | [organizations/uc-berkeley-spacecal.md](organizations/uc-berkeley-spacecal.md) | | UC Davis — HDD Reaction Wheels | 106659 | TRL 4→7; PI Stephen Robinson (astronaut); Cornell adopted for ISS CubeSat (Crew-11 2025); REALOP ELaNa 2026; open-source design | [organizations/uc-davis-hdd-wheels.md](organizations/uc-davis-hdd-wheels.md) | | Lockheed Martin (OSIRIS-REx) | 12244 | TAGSAM validated in FO parabolic flights; 4-5× microgravity gain; Bennu sample return Sep 2023 (~60g); co-PI Dante Lauretta | [organizations/lockheed-osiris-rex.md](organizations/lockheed-osiris-rex.md) | | FOMS Inc. + Mercury Systems (ZBLAN) | 106634, 106682 | FO precursor → ISS CRS-25 Jul 2022; FOMS claims 3 ISS missions; Mercury ORFOM dormant; Flawless Photonics (no FO link) now leads | [organizations/foms-mercury-zblan.md](organizations/foms-mercury-zblan.md) | | Final Frontier Design (→Paragon) | 72036 | Zero TRL gain (5→5); acquired by Paragon Jan 2022; Paragon+Axiom won xEVAS ($3.5B potential) | [organizations/final-frontier-design.md](organizations/final-frontier-design.md) | | Virgin Orbit | 94192, 94204 | 4 orbital successes (Jan 2021 – Jul 2022); 10 NASA CubeSats delivered; bankruptcy Apr 2023; assets to Rocket Lab/Stratolaunch | [organizations/virgin-orbit.md](organizations/virgin-orbit.md) | | Sierra Nevada Corp (ORBITEC WCD) | 106669 | Patent US11213779B2 + US11660557B2; Sierra Space co-assignee; Orbital Reef ECLSS candidate | [organizations/snc-orbitec-wcd.md](organizations/snc-orbitec-wcd.md) | | Blue Origin (POSE) | 106728 | Zero TRL advance (4→4) despite 3.3-year project; UWB + vision-based RPO sensor; 1573 views | [organizations/blue-origin-pose.md](organizations/blue-origin-pose.md) | | Interlune Corporation | 158666 | CRUMBLE regolith milling; Harrison Schmitt co-I; DOE He-3 purchase (first-ever); $300M+ Bluefors deal; $8.3M federal; pilot plant 2029 | [organizations/interlune.md](organizations/interlune.md) | | Varda Space Industries | 155263 | C-PICA tech transfer (Venkatapathy inventor as co-I); W-5 returned Jan 2026 (first all-Varda C-PICA); W-6 launched Mar 2026; **$35.8M DoD+NASA** | [organizations/varda-space.md](organizations/varda-space.md) | | Juno Propulsion Inc. | 184154 | RDRE satellite thruster with green propellants; TechLeap Prize Jul 2025; orbital RDRE flight target summer 2026 (**first RDRE in orbit**); $40K federal | [organizations/juno-propulsion.md](organizations/juno-propulsion.md) | | Ecoatoms Inc. | 106609, 184148, 158510 | 3 FO projects; **A.R.E.S. (biosensors) flew NS-35 Sep 2025**; TechLeap Prize (HERMES Jun 2025); no USASpending revenue | [organizations/ecoatoms.md](organizations/ecoatoms.md) | | Rhea Space Activity | 155243 | JAM cislunar autonomy; **JAM on CP-12 CLPS lunar orbit relay (NET 2030, delayed from 2026)** (links to Draper arc); Deep Impact algorithm heritage; **$10.2M+ DoD GPS-denied nav** (13 awards, 4 agencies) | [organizations/rhea-space-activity.md](organizations/rhea-space-activity.md) | | Resilient Computing (RadPC+) | 184144 | **Dual-FO arc**: RadPC spinoff has own FO project [184144] (Jun 2025–Jun 2028); RISC-V + AI coprocessor; $2.79M NASA+DoD; 3 patents (see msu-radpc.md) | *(see [organizations/msu-radpc.md](organizations/msu-radpc.md))* | | Impossible Sensing, LLC | 184139 | **SBIR Portfolio Company → Commercial Revenue**: FLEW.ID LIBS water monitoring; 16 TechPort projects; Perseverance SHERLOC co-I (PI Sobron); Phase III active; $8.5M tracked; **Flow product deployed** (Veren 20 units, Tundra O&G); Canadian subsidiary (isenergy.ca); US Patent Jan 2026 | [organizations/impossible-sensing.md](organizations/impossible-sensing.md) | | GOEPPERT, LLC | 184143 | **InSPA-aligned**: MoS₂ semiconductor annealing + nanopore biosensors; Phase III MoS₂ ($994K); Army fentanyl sensor; Factories in Space listing; $4.1M tracked | [organizations/goeppert-mos2.md](organizations/goeppert-mos2.md) | | Ultrasonic Technology Solutions | 184142 | **ORNL Spinout**: Space washer/dryer; piezoelectric ultrasonic drying; 5× energy efficiency; Phase III active; 5 industry pilots; DOE + NASA dual backing; $3.0M tracked | [organizations/ultrasonic-tech-solutions.md](organizations/ultrasonic-tech-solutions.md) | | AeroFly LLC | 184145 | **SDSU Spinout**: Rego-LIFT modular lunar regolith conveyor; TechLeap Prize winner; SBIR Phase II ($899K); >600 kg/hr throughput; $1.2M tracked | [organizations/aerofly-llc.md](organizations/aerofly-llc.md) | | Space Dust R&T LLC | 184151 | **CU Boulder/LASP Spinout**: Electron beam dust mitigation (92% efficacy); co-founders Wang + Horanyi (6 TechPort projects); **Artemis IV DUSTER PI ($24.8M, Dec 2025)** on Lunar Outpost rover; TechLeap Prize; parabolic flight summer 2026 | [organizations/space-dust-rnt.md](organizations/space-dust-rnt.md) | | Ambrosia Space Manufacturing | 184146 | **Early-stage**: Cell-Sep bioreactor centrifuge; ex-Intuitive Machines founder; $179K Air Force STTR only; ISS ABBY mission planned 2026 | [organizations/ambrosia-space.md](organizations/ambrosia-space.md) | | Guinn Partners | 184149 | **Product eng firm (40+ engineers)**: IMPRESS Mars penetrator swarms ($3K/probe); ex-DJI/3D Robotics CEO Colin Guinn; ALFA Mars nonprofit connection; TechLeap Prize; no prior NASA | [organizations/guinn-partners-impress.md](organizations/guinn-partners-impress.md) | | Helogen Corporation | 184150 | **Space biology co w/ flight heritage**: CELS organ-on-chip; formerly Odyssey SpaceWorks; $2.78M raised; 2023 orbital launch; first autonomous genomic sequencing in orbit; Starlab integration; Vellon Space acquisition; TechLeap Prize; most advanced TechLeap winner | [organizations/helogen-cels.md](organizations/helogen-cels.md) | | UTSA e5 Lab + SwRI | 184153 | **Academia + FFRDC**: MARS-C electrochemical ISRU; PI Sankarasubramanian (44 pubs, 13 patents, NAI member); SwRI partnership; patent-pending Mars electrolyzer; TechLeap Prize; strongest IP portfolio of TechLeap cohort | [organizations/utsa-mars-c.md](organizations/utsa-mars-c.md) | | Mentium Technologies Inc. | 155249 | **UCSB Spinout**: Rad-hard neuromorphic AI coprocessor (50 TOPS/W, <0.4W); 3 TechPort projects; Phase III productization ($2.5M, 2026); **$9.67M NASA**; 9-year SBIR pipeline | [organizations/mentium-technologies.md](organizations/mentium-technologies.md) | | Carthage College (MPG) | 94131, 91347, 89417, 106702, 106670, 106707, 106631, 106620 | **8-FO arc (longest in portfolio)**: Modal Propellant Gauging; IM-3 NOVA-C lander development; Airbus commercialization; TechLeap $500K 2025; Orion OMS + Gateway + on-orbit refueling; PI Kevin Crosby | [organizations/carthage-college-mpg.md](organizations/carthage-college-mpg.md) | | San Diego State University (FIGARO) | 106617 | TRL 4→5; Ka-band 5G full-duplex at 98K ft (Sep 2024); LunaNet BLOS relay compatible; uses COTS 5G beamformer chips; NTRS paper 2025 | [organizations/sdsu-figaro-ft.md](organizations/sdsu-figaro-ft.md) | | Missouri S&T (LuSTR) | 158644 | Lunar regolith beneficiation (magnetic + electrostatic); TRL 5→6; AIAA SciTech 2025 paper; highest-view academia project (3633); too early for mission host | [organizations/mst-lustr.md](organizations/mst-lustr.md) | | UCLA (LunaNet PNT) | 145005 | Chip-scale optomechanical accelerometer for LunaNet cislunar PNT; 730 ng/Hz sensitivity; TRL 4→6 Aug 2025; PI Chee Wei Wong | [organizations/ucla-lunanet-pnt.md](organizations/ucla-lunanet-pnt.md) | | NJIT — EHD Phase Separation | 91373 | PRL 2015 discovery paper + $815K ISS grant + npj Microgravity 2025; PI Khusid; FO→ISS escalation archetype; ECLSS phase separation | [organizations/njit-ehd.md](organizations/njit-ehd.md) | | Embry-Riddle — ADS-B for Commercial Space | 12235, 106592 | **Regulatory Infrastructure**: FAA took over Phase 2 as lead org; supports Part 450 airspace integration for commercial space; new archetype | [organizations/embry-riddle-ads-b.md](organizations/embry-riddle-ads-b.md) | | MIT — SPHERES (INSPECT + UDP) | 91335, 93871 | SPHERES→Astrobee ISS heritage; DARPA Phoenix UDP docking partnership; ISS free-flyer paradigm; PI Saenz-Otero | [organizations/mit-spheres.md](organizations/mit-spheres.md) | | Purdue — FEMTA Micropropulsion | 106637 | Water-based MEMS microthruster; NS-29 Jan 2025 flight; SmallSat papers; open-source potential; PI Alexeenko + co-I Collicott | [organizations/purdue-femta.md](organizations/purdue-femta.md) | | Blueshift LLC (Outward Technologies) | 158514 | **SBIR Portfolio Company**: SEER solar sintering + ISRU product lines; **14 TechPort projects, ~$9.1M**; MORRE Phase II last active Ph II (ends Jun 2026); ASCE E&S 2026 presentation; PI Garvey | [organizations/blueshift-outward.md](organizations/blueshift-outward.md) | | NIWC Pacific — SOLD Optical Comms | 145002 | **DoD Orbital Risk Reduction**: FO balloon → LaCE orbital → **CACI 3-product lasercom ecosystem** (Skylight/CrossBeam/EST); CrossBeam operational 3.5+ yrs on SDA; EST Phase 2 ~$100M; CACI tech on Psyche/DSOC (CDI connection); see [DoD Lasercom Pipeline](topics/dod-lasercom-pipeline.md) | [organizations/niwc-pacific-sold.md](organizations/niwc-pacific-sold.md) | | Purdue — Collicott Slosh Cluster | 106651, 106602, 106630, 106718, 106664, 106582, 91665 + 2 co-I | **9 FO projects (most for any PI)**: 7 PI + 2 co-I; Virgin Galactic Galactic 07 Jun 2024; Purdue 1 crewed mission 2027; connects to GRC RFMG via [106582]; AAE 418 course | [organizations/purdue-collicott-slosh.md](organizations/purdue-collicott-slosh.md) | | UF — Ferl/Paul Space Plants Lab | 12182, 106695, 106579 | **3 FO projects, 15 years**, deepest academic FO engagement; PI flew Blue Origin NS-25 Aug 2024; 25+ year program (11 orbital + 5 suborbital); lunar regolith plants (Comms Biology 2022); NSS Space Pioneer Award 2025; ~4,900 citations | [organizations/uf-ferl-paul-space-plants.md](organizations/uf-ferl-paul-space-plants.md) | | UF — Chung Cryogenics | 91356, 106581, 106713, 106616 | **4 FO projects**; NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal (2024); 6+ publications; 30-year cryo program; chilldown + coatings + pool boiling; Artemis propellant data foundation | [organizations/uf-chung-cryogenics.md](organizations/uf-chung-cryogenics.md) | | Northrop Grumman (CNT Structures) | 94199 | **$1.95M contract**; 30× improved damping; 13% payload mass increase on Minotaur IV; Letter of Appreciation documenting impact; Archetype 3 | [organizations/northrop-grumman-cnt.md](organizations/northrop-grumman-cnt.md) | | Qascom S.r.l. (LuGRE) | 106593 | **Mission Infusion**: FO receiver → LuGRE on Blue Ghost (Mar 2025); **first GNSS fix on Moon** (401,000 km); data released Zenodo Oct 2025; ION GNSS+ & IAC 2025 papers; **ESA Moonlight €123M** (Qascom leads user segment); L-CNS prototype; Lunar Pathfinder NET Nov 2026 on BG M2; NovaMoon approved ESA Ministerial 2025; 2 new NAVISP contracts | [organizations/qascom-lugre.md](organizations/qascom-lugre.md) | | MIT — Dual-Spinning CubeSat → TROPICS → Tomorrow.io | 94156 | **Mission Infusion + Commercial Tech Transfer**: FO bus → MicroMAS → **TROPICS** (NASA EVM, 2023–2025) → **Tomorrow.io TMS** (13 launched, 11 operational, NOAA validated Jan 2026). $35.1M govt + $500M VC. **See [deep dive](topics/tropics-tomorrow-io-tech-transfer.md)**. PI Cahoy | [organizations/mit-tropics-cubesat.md](organizations/mit-tropics-cubesat.md) | | NASA Ames / Technion — FLUTE | 106725 | **6-project chain across 4 programs** (FO→ISS Axiom-1→GSFC CIF×2→NIAC Phase I→Phase II); 50m liquid mirror telescope; PI Balaban; $600K NIAC; revolutionary concept incubator archetype | [organizations/ames-flute.md](organizations/ames-flute.md) | | RPI — Ring-Sheared Drop (RSD) | 91350, 94137, 106625, 106698 | **4-FO-project, 8-year arc** (2015–2023); ISS National Lab facility (Jul 2019); amyloid/pharma research; npj Microgravity 2022; PI Hirsa; canonical FO→ISS transition | [organizations/rpi-ring-sheared-drop.md](organizations/rpi-ring-sheared-drop.md) | | Univ. of Louisville (Aqueous Surgery) | 71954, 91363 | 10-year program; TRL 7 VG May 2021; patent US11540858; BJS 2025: "most mature containment system"; SAGES 2024 white paper acknowledgment; Scientific American 2024 feature; T0287-P active | [organizations/uofl-aqueous-surgery.md](organizations/uofl-aqueous-surgery.md) | | The Aerospace Corporation (AMU) | 94141 | Balloon solar cell calibration → **12 AMU units orbiting on 2 CubeSats**; 4 flights/week vs 1/year; feeds AeroCube "world's largest on-orbit solar testbed"; DiskSat 4-sat launch Dec 2025; 2 IEEE papers | [organizations/aerospace-corp-amu.md](organizations/aerospace-corp-amu.md) | | UT Southwestern (ICP/SANS) | 93937 | First direct ICP measurement in microgravity (Ommaya reservoir patients); LBNP 20 mmHg countermeasure; 4+ publications (J Physiol, JAP); PI Levine; NASA HRR #1412 | [organizations/ut-southwestern-icp.md](organizations/ut-southwestern-icp.md) | | Northwestern University (Freeze-Cast) | 94005, 91340 | 2 FO + STRG predecessor; ISS testing selected Aug 2016; SpaceICE CubeSat; FreezeCasting.net open data; multi-program arc | [organizations/northwestern-freeze-cast.md](organizations/northwestern-freeze-cast.md) | | Wyle Laboratories (OCT/SANS) | 12464 | FO→ISS Investigation #1146 (standard SANS diagnostic); Mini OCT [157621] for Artemis (TRL 5→9, 2022–2029); clearest 3-stage FO pipeline | [organizations/wyle-oct-sans.md](organizations/wyle-oct-sans.md) | | Univ. of Puerto Rico (DAAFC) | 91638 | **ISS flight (NG-14, Oct 2020)**: AELISS ammonia oxidation experiment; ~70% current density decrease; npj Microgravity 2023; PI Cabrera → UTEP | [organizations/upr-ammonia-fuel-cell.md](organizations/upr-ammonia-fuel-cell.md) | | Southwest Research Institute | 106681, 106679, 91647, 106734 | **7th FO tech on Moon**: LMS deployed Blue Ghost Mar 2025 (first extraterrestrial magnetotellurics); Box-of-Rocks asteroid sampler; Alan Stern PI on [106734] | [organizations/swri-cluster.md](organizations/swri-cluster.md) | ### Topics (18) | Topic | Key Finding | Page | |-------|-------------|------| | **Cryogenic Propellant Cluster** | **30+ FO projects** across ~12 researchers; boiloff, gauging (3 competing approaches), LADs, FSP thermal; Hartwig/Chung/Conboy/Khusid network; Artemis data foundation | [topics/cryogenic-cluster.md](topics/cryogenic-cluster.md) | | **Honeybee PlanetVac Cluster** | **5 FO projects**; PlanetVac collected lunar regolith on Blue Ghost (Mar 2025); P-Sampler flying to Phobos on JAXA MMX (2026); $193M+ Honeybee NASA portfolio; **one of 7 FO techs on Moon** | [topics/honeybee-planetvac-cluster.md](topics/honeybee-planetvac-cluster.md) | | **UMD Heat Transfer Cluster** | **4 FO projects** (2011-2019) PI Jungho Kim; MABE ISS experiment (200+ boiling tests); MPBE upgraded to flight definition; STRG→NSF transition; part of cryo cluster | [topics/umd-heat-transfer-cluster.md](topics/umd-heat-transfer-cluster.md) | | **Launch Vehicle Cluster** | **8 projects across 7 companies** (2015–2019); 75% failure rate mirrors small-launch shakeout; Relativity $4.2B unicorn, Dynetics→Leidos $1.65B acq, Vector bankrupt, GO→X-60A dead; $35M+ DoD tracked; FO as early-stage venture portfolio | [topics/launch-vehicle-cluster.md](topics/launch-vehicle-cluster.md) | | **UCF Regolith Cluster** | **13 projects, 5 researchers, 14 years** (2012–2026); Colwell PI (9 projects); asteroid→lunar pivot tracking NASA strategy; PRIME/COLLIDE/CORE/SPACE-2/Strata/ERIE/Ejecta STORM; no commercial outcomes; Artemis surface ops relevance | [topics/ucf-regolith-cluster.md](topics/ucf-regolith-cluster.md) | | LunaNet Cluster in FO | 5 FO projects target LunaNet: Qascom/LuGRE **first GNSS fix on Moon** (Mar 2025) + FIGARO [106617] + UCLA PNT [145005] + Lawn Dart + Multi-GNSS [106598]; IM LCRNS $4.82B contract (Oct 2024); Nokia lunar cell network (Mar 2025); ESA Moonlight €176M. **Major rewrite Session 51** | [topics/lunanet-cluster.md](topics/lunanet-cluster.md) | | **FO Technologies on the Moon** | **7 confirmed**: NDL + RFMG (IM-1 Feb 2024), RadPC + PlanetVac + LuGRE + **LMS** (Blue Ghost Mar 2025), ARMAS (IM-2 Mar 2025); every CLPS landing carried FO tech; mean maturation ~9 years; **key synthesis document** | [topics/fo-technologies-on-the-moon.md](topics/fo-technologies-on-the-moon.md) | | **Purdue Mega-Cluster** | **21 FO projects** across 4 PIs (Collicott 15, Mudawar 4, Alexeenko 1, surgical 1); largest institutional footprint; knowledge payloads; connects to GRC RFMG→Moon via Surface Evolver | [topics/purdue-mega-cluster.md](topics/purdue-mega-cluster.md) | | **FO Technologies to Mars** | **2 confirmed** (G-FOLD→Perseverance LVS, RFMG→CFM indirect) + **1 planned** (PlanetVac→Phobos 2026); 81 projects list Mars as destination; cryogenic cluster provides Mars transit foundation; companion to Moon page | [topics/fo-technologies-to-mars.md](topics/fo-technologies-to-mars.md) | | **FO Technologies for Venus** | **4 FO projects** + 2 FO-backed orgs with Venus capabilities; Sandia seismology (Nature 2025), SwRI EM sounding (→LMS Moon), NSC (→JPL Venus aerobot partner); 15-25 year time horizon; longest-horizon FO impact pipeline | [topics/fo-technologies-for-venus.md](topics/fo-technologies-for-venus.md) | | **TROPICS → Tomorrow.io Tech Transfer** | **NEW Session 80**: Full deep dive — MIT LL CRADA (18 months), TMS constellation (13 launched, 11 operational), $35.1M govt contracts (USAF $27M, NOAA $5.8M, NASA $2.2M), $500M VC ($1B+ unicorn), NOAA validated Jan 2026, NOAA RFP for data buy Apr 2026. **Most commercially impactful FO lineage.** | [topics/tropics-tomorrow-io-tech-transfer.md](topics/tropics-tomorrow-io-tech-transfer.md) | | **FO Technologies and Artemis II** | **NEW Session 41**: Airborne Systems CPAS parachutes (confirmed hardware), ADA FWM (suggestive), cryo cluster data for ICPS helium pressurization; FO contribution is data/expertise layer, not payloads; ICPS helium anomaly Feb 2026 validates relevance | [topics/fo-technologies-artemis-ii.md](topics/fo-technologies-artemis-ii.md) | | **FO Mission Infusion Summary** | **22+ confirmed deployments** across Moon (7), crewed lunar (Artemis II), Mars (2), deep space (2), Earth science (1), ISS (9+); mean 6-year maturation; every CLPS landing carried FO tech; **key demo document** — updated Session 41 with Artemis II | [topics/fo-mission-infusion-summary.md](topics/fo-mission-infusion-summary.md) | | **SANS Research Cluster** | **4 FO projects, 4 institutions**: Wyle OCT (ISS diagnostic standard + Artemis pipeline), UTSW ICP (paradigm shift + LBNP countermeasure), MGH NINscan (continuous monitor, 4+ papers, BRAIN-SANS 8-modality suite + LBNP arm), Henry Ford ultrasound (clinical protocols + humanitarian); 15+ publications, 0 commercial products | [topics/sans-cluster.md](topics/sans-cluster.md) | | **Medical/Biomedical Cluster** | **~20 projects** across ~15 institutions; highest-publication, lowest-commercial cluster; Henry Ford (ISS protocols) + UT Southwestern (SANS); 10+ papers, 2 patents, 0 commercial products; dual-use terrestrial potential | [topics/medical-biomedical-cluster.md](topics/medical-biomedical-cluster.md) | | **Gateway Cancellation Impact** | NASA paused Gateway Mar 24, 2026; **2 significant** (Solstar WiFi, Paragon ECLSS), 1 moderate (Carthage MPG), ~6 minimal; CLPS expansion to 21 landings is net-positive offset for surface-oriented FO portfolio | [topics/gateway-cancellation-impact.md](topics/gateway-cancellation-impact.md) | | **DoD Lasercom Pipeline** | **NEW Session 47**: 2 FO projects (NIWC SOLD [145002] + CDI [91391]) connect to CACI's $10B+ DoD lasercom ecosystem; CACI CrossBeam operational 3.5+ years (SDA); EST Phase 2 ~$100M; Psyche/DSOC 307M-mile record; SDA Tranche 1 mesh delayed | [topics/dod-lasercom-pipeline.md](topics/dod-lasercom-pipeline.md) | | **CLPS Lander Risk — FO Impact** | **NEW Session 63**: Systemic analysis of FO technologies at risk from CLPS lander delays. 7 delivered (3 landers), 5 manifested (CP-12 NET 2030, IM-3 H2 2026, Blue Ghost M4 2029, SELINE 2028), 5 unassigned. 21+ person-years of schedule slip caused by lander issues. Firefly is most reliable provider. | [topics/clps-lander-risk-fo-impact.md](topics/clps-lander-risk-fo-impact.md) | | **Artemis III Restructuring Impact** | **NEW Session 68**: Feb 2026 restructuring → LEO test mission (mid-2027), no lunar landing. First moonwalk → Artemis IV (early 2028). Only FFD/AxEMU directly affected (~1 yr moonwalk delay). Combined with Gateway cancellation (Mar 2026), Feb–Mar 2026 Artemis overhaul is **net positive** for FO portfolio (CLPS expansion, surface base $20B, SR-1 Mars). Companion to Gateway Cancellation page. | [topics/artemis-iii-restructuring-impact.md](topics/artemis-iii-restructuring-impact.md) | | **Momentus Vigoride — FO Orbital Testbed** | **NEW Session 73**: FO evolving from suborbital-only to orbital demos via Momentus Vigoride. CisLunar EPIC + Solstar Deke on V7 (Apr 2026). COSMIC $5.15M + Juno RDRE $2.09M on future Vigoride. 4/10 TechLeap winners have FO records. $8.2M+ NASA→Momentus. **75% bankruptcy risk.** | [topics/momentus-orbital-testbed.md](topics/momentus-orbital-testbed.md) | | **TechPort Outcome Data Quality** | **NEW Session 97**: Three failure modes in technologyOutcomes: (1) aspirational descriptions (RAVAN), (2) aspirational library items (Micro Sun Sensor), (3) erroneous outcome linkages (AVA, Heat Pipe → unrelated projects). 4/6 "Advanced To" dates predate project start. **technologyOutcomes cannot be trusted at face value for FO.** | [topics/techport-outcome-data-quality.md](topics/techport-outcome-data-quality.md) | | Sandia Nat'l Labs (FFRDC) | 106697 | Balloon aeroseismometer for Venus seismology; 5+ papers (Nature Comms 2025); cross-institutional (Sandia+JPL+SwRI); Venus mission concept precursor | [organizations/sandia-balloon-aeroseismometer.md](organizations/sandia-balloon-aeroseismometer.md) | | CMU / Whittaker (Lunar Pits) | 14162 | **9 TechPort projects, 3 programs, 15 years**: FO→NIAC Phase III ($2M, first-ever); PitRanger; Astrobotic founder; MoonRanger Blue Ghost M4 2029; Whittaker now Emeritus | [organizations/cmu-whittaker-lunar-pits.md](organizations/cmu-whittaker-lunar-pits.md) | | CU Boulder | 91620 | Janus starshade formation flying sensor TRL 4→7; PI Webster Cash (starshade inventor); Archetype 14 (awaiting HWO mission decision); longest time-horizon FO tech (25-30 yr) | [organizations/cu-boulder-starshade.md](organizations/cu-boulder-starshade.md) | | UMD SSL (DYMAFLEX) | 94143 | Satellite servicing manipulator TRL 4→6; PI David Akin (SSL founder); FO→DymaFlight next-gen→TRAVELS lunar rover (2022 BIG Idea finalist); OSAM context | [organizations/umd-dymaflex.md](organizations/umd-dymaflex.md) | ### Dead Ends (3) | Project | Company | Finding | |---------|---------|---------| | [106680](dead_ends/gamma-alf-glass-fiber.md) | Made in Space / Redwire | GAMMA-ALF: TRL6 parabolic only; no ISS; Redwire uses ZBLAN instead | | [91328](dead_ends/msnw-ice-thruster.md) | MSNW LLC | ICE Thruster: TRL3→3 (zero gain); company wound down 2017–2019 |

Key Findings (Sessions 1–4)

On FO Data Quality

  1. FO outcome data is structurally broken — relatedProjectId is null for ALL FO outcome records. 22% of projects have outcome entries but these are mostly "Canceled" and "Closed Out" with no linked projects.
  2. The description field is the signal — every confirmed infusion case came from reading description text or library items, not structured outcome fields.
  3. Canceled ≠ dead — Of 2 canceled FO projects investigated (Busek, Astrobotic), both companies had major positive downstream outcomes unrelated to FO cancellation.
  4. TRL9 in parabolic tests ≠ ISS deployment — Sierra Nevada ZGMMD reached TRL9 in parabolic flight but on-orbit deployment is unconfirmed. GAMMA-ALF reached TRL6 and also didn't deploy.

On FO Success Archetypes

  1. Validation service: SpaceX/Dragon V2, World View/Stratollite — company already mature, uses FO for one component validation
  2. Middle-step bridge: CDI, Made in Space — FO validates between SBIR lab work and mission application
  3. Long-running platform: Eigen Strategies — repeated flight access over 14 years
  4. Company formation/spin-up: Ventions/Astra Space — FO funded the core technology of a company that went on to orbit
  5. Ground-only maturation: Ad Astra VASIMR — FO data was technically valid but the mission was cancelled
  6. Government tech → commercial spinoff: NDL/Psionic — NASA center-led FO project, tech licensed to Psionic, then flew on Moon
  7. Defense-mediated maturation: AFRL IsoTherm/TMT — AFRL ran FO projects on industry-developed tech; industry then acquired for orbital computing

On Acquisition Outcomes

  1. Seven acquisitions documented: Made in Space→Redwire (2020), Tyvak→Lockheed (2024, $450M), NSC→Aerostar (2024), Masten→Astrobotic (2022, bankruptcy), TMT→Phantom Space (2026), World View→Ondas Holdings (Apr 2026), Nexolve→Applied Aerospace & Defense (2025, Greenbriar PE roll-up to $500M+ entity). Acquisitions are the single most common positive outcome in the FO portfolio.
  2. Bankruptcy acquisition differs from commercial acquisition: Masten→Astrobotic ($4.5M, court-ordered) is fundamentally different from TMT→Phantom Space (strategic). The technology survives the former but the company doesn't.

NDL as the Best-in-Class FO Story

  1. NDL saved IM-1. When Odysseus's primary laser rangefinder failed, NDL (FO-validated at TRL6, 2013–2019; Psionic-commercialized 2016) provided 100% valid altitude/velocity data from 10 km to the lunar surface. Without FO-matured NDL, the first commercial Moon landing fails. This is the strongest causal argument for the FO program in the portfolio.

Health Projects: Institutional Structure Determines Outcome

  1. Henry Ford (94139) vs. Orbital Medicine (12196): Both FO health projects, opposite outcomes. Ultrasound succeeded because it has a billion-dollar terrestrial telemedicine market and broad applicability. Chest drainage failed because the market is NASA-only, qualification is expensive, and there's no partner. FO validates the physics; market structure determines commercialization.

Dollar Context

  1. ~$825M+ tracked across 35 projects — Astrobotic ($498M) and Masten CLPS ($66M, cancelled) dominate. Excluding these: ~$261M across 33 projects. Busek ($80M+), Nexolve ($18.8M), Psionic/NDL ($15.6M), and Saber ($8.7M) lead genuine post-FO contract totals.

Session 8 New Findings

  1. Airborne Systems: FO extends a $300M product line, doesn't create one. 91422 (TRL4→6, guided parafoil high altitude) was used by the world's dominant JPADS manufacturer to extend their product to 50,000+ ft (nearly tripling crossrange). Airborne Systems was already making the Orion parachute and T-11/MC-6/RA-1 parachute systems for DoD. The $13.57M NASA LaRC contract (2022–2027) for Orion parachute decelerator subsystem is the most direct traceable NASA outcome. New archetype: Large established contractor uses FO to qualify a product extension, not to build a company.

  2. Paragon COSMIC: ISS life support incumbent extends its franchise. 155245 (TRL4→5, condensate separator, 2023–2026) comes from the company that already manufactures and maintains the ISS Brine Processor Assembly (active BPA contracts through 2027). COSMIC feeds separated condensate directly to the WPA (Paragon's installed system). Paragon is also the Artemis HALO module life support team. This is a natural product extension within an existing institutional relationship — the deployment path exists because Paragon is already the operator. Archetype: Incumbent supplier adds next-generation component to its installed base.

  3. CisLunar Industries: Space metal processing startup with DoD metal propellant as near-term revenue. 158519 (SMPS, FO parabolic as ISS precursor) has: DARPA LunA-10 study, $1.7M SpaceWERX (metal propellant from recycled metal, with Astroscale), $1.9M AFRL (space sustainment via metal propellant), $1.17M NASA SBIR. The DoD angle reframes the technology from "space factory" (long horizon) to "in-orbit propellant from waste metal" (near term). Astroscale partnership = credible debris-as-feedstock pipeline. Patent filed. ISS National Lab flight planned 2025. Modest $1M investment suggests early-stage but real momentum.

  4. Night Crew Labs: Real technology, wrong market timing. 106714 (GNSS-RO, TRL5→6) developed a miniature AIRO sensor for airborne platforms. Technical result published (AGU 2022). But Spire, GeoOptics, and PlanetiQ had already captured the commercial GNSS-RO market via satellite constellations before NCL could scale. Only NOAA SBIRs ($519K) visible — no follow-on contracts. New dead-end subtype: Market timing failure — technology works, but competing approach captured market first.

  5. Vital Space Team: Market delayed, PI pivoted. 12203 (non-invasive physiologic monitoring, TRL4→6, 2012–2015) was built for a suborbital space tourism market that didn't materialize at expected scale. PI Ravi Komatireddy has built successful consumer digital health companies (Motiv Labs, Daytona Health) using the same wearable sensor + analytics skills. No aerospace follow-on. Archetype: PI-led FO project, target market delayed, successful adjacent pivot (but not traceable as FO outcome).

  6. Blue Origin subsidiary pattern continues: ASSET TRL5→6 (POCCET was TRL5→5). Honeybee Robotics 106621 achieved TRL5→6 for ASSET asteroid soil strength tool. First positive TRL result from a Blue Origin/Honeybee FO project (vs. POCCET TRL stagnation and Blue Origin LiDAR TRL stagnation). ASSET directly feeds Blue Origin's stated asteroid mining agenda and Honeybee's expanding lunar portfolio (Firefly lunar rover contract, March 2025; LUNARSABER; LAMPS). Kris Zacny is PI on both POCCET and ASSET.

  7. Session 8 P2 base rate (9 projects, cumulative 28 from Sessions 5–8). Categories: 1 large contractor extends product line (Airborne), 1 ISS/Artemis incumbent extends franchise (Paragon), 1 active startup with pipeline (CisLunar), 1 engineering services product extension (Sierra Lobo), 1 enabling device for academic research program (Mayo ATOM), 1 Blue Origin subsidiary R&D (Honeybee ASSET), 1 market timing failure (Night Crew Labs), 1 PI pivot/no aerospace outcome (Vital Space), 1 dead end (Masten DRAG FLAPs). ~3-4 genuine positive downstream outcomes out of 9 (33-44%) — higher than Sessions 5–7 estimate of 17–22%, possibly because Session 8 included more established contractors (Airborne, Sierra Lobo, Paragon) where post-FO contracts exist independent of FO causality.

Session 9 New Findings

  1. Giner NFTFC: Established electrochemical firm uses FO to validate lunar night power subsystem. 155244 (TRL4→6, Non-Flow-Through Fuel Cell, 2023–2025) tested gas-liquid phase separator in microgravity on ZERO-G G-Force One. The separator is the critical enabling component for passive water removal in the fuel cell. Outcome: NASA SBIR Phase III RFC 2 kW Project ($931.3K, 80NSSC25C0452, August 2025) awarded 3 months after FO completion. Giner is a 50-year-old R&D firm (~$16M+ total government contracts across NASA/DoD/NIH), not a startup. The technology targets 14-day lunar night power for Artemis surface systems. Archetype: Established R&D firm uses FO to validate critical subsystem in microgravity, enabling next-phase government funding.

  2. Aerospace Corp cryogenics: FFRDC closes propellant management data gap, publishes in Nature. 106642 (TRL5→6, cryogenic helium pressurization, 2021–2025) completed 19 parabolic flight cases measuring helium subsurface pressurization and autogenous pressurization in reduced gravity. PI Samuel Darr (Aerospace Corp) + co-I Jason Hartwig (NASA Glenn). Published "Cryogenic helium subsurface pressurization in terrestrial and low-gravity: experiments and flow visualization" in npj Microgravity (Nature, DOI: 10.1038/s41526-025-00504-w), July 15, 2025. This fills a documented data gap for Artemis cryogenic propellant systems. Aerospace Corp is an FFRDC — the output is knowledge for mission design, not a commercial product. Archetype: FFRDC uses FO to close a fundamental physics data gap for mission design.

  3. Mudawar Thermal: 1-month FO flight yields Nature-caliber data, triggers immediate Phase III. 184140 (TRL3→4, cryogenic pool boiling, September 2025) is remarkable for speed: a 1-month FO project produced reduced-gravity pool boiling data that enabled a STTR Phase III award ($366.6K, 80NSSC26C0007) starting April 15, 2026 — exactly 7 months later. Issam Mudawar (Purdue BTPFL, 400+ publications) is co-I; his academic credibility ensures the data becomes engineering correlations. 2025 publications in IJHMT already. Archetype: Academic investigator uses FO to acquire a single missing data point, triggering immediate follow-on funding.

  4. Session 9 closes out industry-led completed portfolio. Session 9 investigated the final 12 uninvestigated industry-led completed FO projects. The last 5 were dead ends (Qascom, DTM Technologies, Jackson & Tull, HNU Photonics, Makel Engineering) — all TRL stagnation (≤1 gain) with no visible follow-on. The high-signal finds were Giner (fuel cell), Aerospace Corp (cryogenics publication), and Mudawar (pool boiling Phase III). Of the 12: 3 positive outcomes (Giner Phase III, Aerospace Corp publication, Mudawar Phase III); 4 add to existing pages (Airborne II, Orbital Medicine II, Busek II, Honeybee H-BEE); 5 dead ends. All 56 industry-led completed FO projects are now investigated. Next: P3 sampling of academia/FFRDC, or archetypes synthesis.

  5. Orbital Medicine documented as 2-project story. 71978 (EMMSD, TRL4→6, 2016–2019) is the Blue Origin New Shepard flight (December 12, 2017) already mentioned in the Orbital Medicine page. Same PI (Cuttino), same company, same outcome (proof of concept, no ISS deployment). Two FO projects, $0 downstream contracts. The persistence (two projects, 7 years of FO support 2012–2019) confirms the technology had merit but the institutional barriers are immovable at this scale.

  6. Honeybee/Blue Origin FO count: 3 projects, 3 distinct archetypes. POCCET [145004] (TRL5→5, zero gain), ASSET [106621] (TRL5→6, feeds asteroid mining), H-BEE [106632] (TRL4→5, lunar O2 extraction analog). Same parent company, same rough structure, three different PI teams, three different outcomes. Blue Origin subsidiary appears to use FO as distributed basic R&D — not transformative for any individual project but building a portfolio of microgravity physics knowledge.

Session 10 New Findings

  1. JPL G-FOLD + FOALS: FO directly enabled Mars 2020 Perseverance landing. 12272 (TRL3→5, G-FOLD algorithm, 2012–2014) + 91418 (TRL4→6, FOALS integrated LVS+G-FOLD, 2014–2018) validated JPL's Lander Vision System (TRN + fuel-optimal divert guidance) on Masten Xombie in September 2013 and December 2014. PI Andrew Johnson (JPL) incorporated the validated LVS into Mars 2020. Perseverance landed February 18, 2021, within 5 meters of target in Jezero Crater. NASA and JPL explicitly credit the FO ADAPT campaign as the validation that greenlighted Mars 2020 LVS inclusion. This is the highest-impact planetary mission infusion in the FO portfolio. New archetype page: jpl-precision-landing.md.

  2. Draper 14-year FO arc → CP-12 lunar far-side lander ($57M contract). Draper Laboratory ran three FO projects across 2011–2025: GENIE [12186] (TRL4→6, precision landing GNC), TRN/SPLICE [106585] (TRL4→6, New Shepard flight), DMEN [106613] (TRL4→6, deployed on Xodiac fall 2024). Sequential investment built the DMEN terrain-relative navigation suite that Draper selected as the CP-12 primary landing system. Contract 80JSC022F0174 ($56.93M, 2022–2026) is the CP-12 CLPS mission delivering payloads to the lunar far side (~2026). This is the longest confirmed FO maturation arc in the portfolio. New archetype page: draper-precision-landing.md.

  3. JHU/APL VACNT: FO suborbital flight → RAVAN CubeSat → Earth radiation budget. 91344 (TRL3→7, VACNT radiometers, ~2013–2014 flight) provided the first in-space environment validation of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube absorbers. The data enabled RAVAN, a 3U CubeSat (APL/SFL), launched November 2016, that operated 20+ months measuring Earth's outgoing radiation and total solar irradiance. Peer-reviewed paper (Remote Sensing, 2019). RAVAN is a pathfinder for a future constellation to close the Earth radiation imbalance measurement gap. Archetype: FFRDC builds irreplaceable in-space sensor test → CubeSat mission. New page: jhuapl-vacnt-ravan.md.

  4. Harvard wildfire smoke: Academia FO → stratospheric operational deployment. 155261 (TRL4→7, 2023–2025, PI Frank Keutsch) flew a 3-sensor stratospheric wildfire detection system on an Aerostar high-altitude balloon over a controlled burn on April 23, 2025. Measured fire radiative power and smoke plumes from 15–20 km in real time via satellite link. Published Harvard SEAS August and December 2025. This is the cleanest academia FO → real-world operational deployment case in the portfolio: a functional sensor system flew over actual fires, not a lab demonstration. New page: harvard-wildfire-smoke.md.

  5. Session 10 delivers archetypes synthesis. After 10 sessions and 93 investigated projects (21.6% of 430 total), the KB now contains enough evidence to formalize 11 distinct archetypes for how FO technologies transfer downstream. Key findings codified in archetypes.md: (a) Three conditions predict success: pull not push, institutional accountability, irreplaceable validation; (b) The NDL Principle: the tail distribution justifies FO on expected value grounds even if 35% of projects yield nothing; (c) P3 FFRDC/academia initial sample (4/4 positive) suggests FFRDC base rate is higher than industry (~25–33%) — consistent with FFRDC projects typically being attached to specific missions from the start.

  6. Dollar context update (Session 10): $882M+ tracked across 93 projects. Adding G-FOLD/FOALS (non-attributable Mars 2020 fraction) and Draper CP-12 ($56.93M) brings the tracked total significantly higher. Excluding Astrobotic/Masten anomalies: ~$318M genuine post-FO contracts/outcomes across 91 projects.

Session 12 New Findings

  1. KSC AFTS: Government range safety tech → commercial launch infrastructure enablement. 106586 (TRL4→6, AFTS, 2019–2022) is the first confirmed example of a NASA center using FO to develop range safety technology that was then formally transferred to a commercial launch operator. KSC Technology Transfer Office received an award for the AFTS IP transfer; Rocket Lab used it for their first US Electron launch at LC-2 Wallops (December 2020). AFTS enables autonomous flight termination without human range safety operators — critical for enabling commercial launches from sites like Wallops that couldn't previously support all launch cadences. New archetype 12: Government Center → Commercial Launch Infrastructure. New page: organizations/ksc-afts.md. (3,449 views = highest in KSC cluster.)

  2. GRC RF mass gauging arc → RRM3 + Perseverance CFM (two separate mission infusions). Gregory Zimmerli (GRC) ran two sequential FO projects: 12177 (parabolic, TRL4→6, 2011–2014) + 91405 (Masten Xaero LOX tank, TRL4→6, 2011–2020). The RF mass gauge technology appears in: (1) Robotic Refueling Mission-3 (ISS cryogenic servicing demo, 2018-2020) — second "Advanced To" outcome in June 2020 confirms this connection; (2) Perseverance CFM analysis — document link to kortes_perseverancecfm_tagged.pdf. This is unusual: one FO technology arc feeding two distinct mission applications. New page: organizations/grc-cryogenic-power.md.

  3. GRC FSP thermal arc: PI Marc Gibson used FO to build FSP radiator supply chain. Marc Gibson (GRC's FSP lead) ran 12184 (heat pipe limits for FSP radiators, TRL4→6, 2011–2015) and 93976 (radial core heat spreader for Stirling convertors, TRL5→6, 2014–2015). Both projects explicitly name Fission Power Systems in their descriptions. This confirms what SBIR analysis already suggested: the FSP supply chain runs through FO as well as SBIR. Gibson used FO to validate subsystem physics that couldn't be characterized in a 1-g lab. See: organizations/grc-cryogenic-power.md.

  4. Wet Lab 2: Ames developed ISS molecular biology platform via FO, TRL5→9. 91358 (TRL5→9, 2013–2016, PI Macarena Parra) developed the first on-orbit gene expression + bacterial identification platform. TRL 9 = fully operational on ISS; listed in ISS Space Station Research Explorer (investigation ID 7683). This is the cleanest "NASA center FO → ISS capability deployment" in the portfolio. Used by multiple ISS investigators for microgravity biology since 2016. New archetype 13: NASA Center ISS/FO Infrastructure.

  5. SFEM trilogy: FO built its own instrumentation suite across 3 centers and 3 versions. SFEM [91425] Ames (TRL4→9, 2010–2018) → SFEM-2 [93961] JSC (TRL4→7, 2017–2020) → SFEM-3 [106612] Armstrong (TRL5→6, 2018–2021). The FO program created a self-sustaining instrumentation ecosystem: each new vehicle type required a new SFEM characterization run, distributing the work across centers. This is program infrastructure investment, not mission-payload maturation.

  6. NASA Center FO base rate: ~30-35% confirmed/strong downstream connections. From ~74 NASA Center projects surveyed: ~8-10 have confirmed or strongly probable downstream outcomes (Wet Lab 2, SFEM, AFTS, RF Mass Gauge→RRM3+CFM, heat pipes→FSP, heat spreader→FSP, SPLICE→Artemis, SEADS→ISS). The remaining ~65 projects are either fundamental research (KSC lunar ISRU cluster, GRC two-phase/flammability), programmatic data-gathering (SFEM, GRC cryo), or TRL stagnation. Base rate is similar to industry (~25-33%) but the mechanisms are completely different: no commercial companies, no acquisitions, no spinoffs. All successful NASA Center FO outcomes flow directly to NASA programs.

Session 11 New Findings

  1. JHU/APL JANUS arc → SELINE: 12-year FO series culminates in CLPS 2028 lunar radiation mission. Todd Smith's group ran 4 sequential FO projects (2013–2025) that built the JANUS external payload accommodation platform on Blue Origin New Shepard, then flew a Europa Clipper PIMS-derived radiation detector on it ([106720], TRL5→7). PI for [106720] and co-Is include Joseph Westlake (PIMS PI on Europa Clipper) and Abigail Rymer. SELINE (Site-agnostic Energetic Lunar Ion and Neutron Environment) was selected by NASA January 21, 2026 for CLPS delivery to the lunar surface in 2028. PI is Drew Turner — also the PIMS investigation scientist for Europa Clipper. The FO project closed April 2025; SELINE selected 9 months later. This is a nearly-direct FO → CLPS lunar mission transfer. SELINE will provide the first systematic radiation dataset from the lunar surface, critical for long-duration crew safety. New page: jhuapl-janus-seline.md.

  2. Europa Clipper as instrument incubator for FO. The JHU/APL cluster reveals a pattern: APL instrument PIs for Europa Clipper (Westlake/Turner on PIMS, Hibbitts on MISE) simultaneously run FO projects using their Europa instruments to characterize the near-Earth environment. [106720] used PIMS Faraday cups for lunar radiation; [106661]/[106676] used MISE-family spectrometers for atmospheric remote sensing. FO is the test range for deep-space instruments before they fly to the outer solar system. This is an archetype not previously documented: "Deep Space Instrument Test Range."

  3. JPL Gecko Gripper: The cleanest commercial spinoff path in the JPL portfolio. [91341] (TRL5→6, 2014–2016) led to an ISS Astrobee demonstration (April 2021, astronauts Rubins + Glover) and an industrial commercial product (OnRobot Gecko Gripper, shipped 2018). Nick Wettels (JPL alumni) licensed from Stanford/Caltech, founded Perception Robotics (SBIR I+II), merged into OnRobot 2018. Rare case where FO record itself hyperlinks to the commercial product page — JPL tracked the spinoff internally. NASA Spinoff article published. New page: jpl-gecko-gripper.md.

  4. JPL Micro Sun Sensor: Rejected by MSL, flew on Prox-1. [12284] (TRL5→6, 2012–2015) was delivered by JPL to Georgia Tech for integration on Prox-1 — a student-built spacecraft that launched June 25, 2019 on Falcon Heavy STP-2 and deployed LightSail B. The TechPort record directly links to Prox-1's NSSDC page — JPL tracked this infusion. Pattern: when a JPL sensor is qualified but not selected for the flagship mission, the small satellite ecosystem becomes the deployment channel. New page: jpl-micro-sun-sensor.md.

  5. Session 11 achieves 100% JPL + 100% completed JHU/APL coverage. 25 new projects investigated (9 JHU/APL + 16 JPL), reaching 118/430 (27.4%). All 18 JPL FO projects and all 10 completed JHU/APL FO projects are now in the KB. JPL FFRDC base rate: 4 confirmed mission infusions (G-FOLD/Mars 2020, FOALS/Mars 2020, Gecko/Prox-1, Micro Sun Sensor/Prox-1), 2 planned (SPARTA, SPECTRE-family future missions), 7 active research (no mission yet), 5 dead ends = roughly 33% confirmed + 17% in-progress. JHU/APL: 5 confirmed/planned mission infusions (VACNT→RAVAN, JANUS×4→SELINE) out of 10 completed = 50% mission infusion rate — highest of any org type in the portfolio.

Session 7 New Findings

  1. Made in Space MSTIC: Third FO project → ISS deployment Feb 2024. FO parabolic tests 155254 (TRL4→6, 2023-2026) validated PVD/CVD semiconductor thin-film deposition in microgravity → MSTIC facility launched on NG-20, manufactured 18 thin-film samples on ISS. More uniform crystal microstructure confirmed. Redwire is now pursuing global semiconductor market via in-space manufacturing. This is the third Made in Space FO project in the KB and the second clean FO → ISS infusion pipeline (after FDM 3D printing).

  2. Protoinnovations: Academic spinoff becomes NASA's commercial rover mobility partner. FO 158499 (TRL 6→8, wheel-regolith, 2024-2025) is one of 15+ NASA contracts totaling ~$19-20M. Dimi Apostolopoulos (CMU Field Robotics Center, VIPER rover wheel expert) founded the company. Tested VIPER lunar rover wheels (25 miles over simulant). Active SBIRs through 2027. Archetype: CMU lab-IP → specialized government contractor. Not a startup chasing VCs — a sustained SME with deep NASA dependency.

  3. Teledyne HEPS: Large-company Tipping Point via FO, Artemis lunar power. 106653 (TRL4→6, 2020-2025) validated hydrogen fuel cell for lunar habitats via Blue Origin New Shepard flight September 18, 2025. NASA $2.69M Tipping Point (via Armstrong FRC) layered on DOE $12.59M base. Teledyne made Apollo fuel cells — this is decades-deep institutional capability. Glenn Research Center as co-I = direct Artemis infusion path. Taxonomy error: listed as TX03.1.1 (Photovoltaic) but is fuel cell.

  4. IMEC USA Neuropixels: First neural activity monitoring in space, Nature publication. 106657 (TRL5→7, Dec 2023 New Shepard flight) validated Neuropixels probes (960 recording sites, single-cell resolution) for monitoring live neuronal networks. Published npj Microgravity (Nature) 2025. Discovery: human glutamatergic neurons show altered VGLUT expression in microgravity while maintaining differentiation markers — altered synaptic transmission is a new microgravity health finding. Companion LFI project 106660 also flew same mission.

  5. Space Foundry: NASA Ames IP licensing → NASA Spinoff 2024 → DoD IR detectors. 106722 (TRL4→6, plasma jet printing) licensed from NASA Ames; ODME ISS demo candidate; featured in NASA Spinoff 2024. Now pursuing Army IR detector printing ($204K, 2025) and quantum applications (diamond in microgravity SBIR). Archetype: NASA IP licensing → startup commercialization with DoD as near-term revenue bridge.

  6. ARMAS-Hi [89360] properly documented as SET FO project chain. The 89360 ARMAS-Hi project (TRL6→7, 2017-2019) was the 7th ARMAS FO experiment — first real-time COTS-based global radiation dose assessment at high altitude. Now properly attributed in the SET ARMAS page alongside [106715] (the IM-2 precursor). Full SET FO project chain: predecessors 1-6 (2011-2016) → [89360] ARMAS-Hi (2017-2019) → [106715] ARMAS DM POMD (2020-2024) → IM-2 Moon landing (2025).

  7. Creare portfolio updated to $60M+. FY2025 alone brought $13.17M (cryocooler), $2.98M (cryocooler electronics), $1.50M (recuperator) in new NASA Phase III SBIRs. Creare is now NASA's dominant commercial cryogenic systems R&D partner. Second FO project [158702] (freeze-tolerant radiator, TRL4→6, 2024-2025) adds thermal control to their cryogenic portfolio.

  8. P2 base rate update (28 projects, Sessions 5-7). Session 7 adds: 1 ISS deployment (MSTIC), 1 strong active maturation (Protoinnovations), 1 Tipping Point flight (Teledyne), 1 Nature publication (IMEC), 1 NASA Spinoff/ODME candidate (Space Foundry), 1 hydroponics active SBIR (SLT), 1 pre-revenue TPS startup (HeetShield). Combined P2 rate across 28 projects: ~5-6 genuine positive outcomes (~18-21%). Consistent with Sessions 5-6 estimate.

Session 6 New Findings

  1. ARMAS/SET: Second FO → Moon infusion. Space Environment Technologies' ARMAS balloon maturation program (106715, 7→8/9, 2020–2024) used World View balloon platform (28-day continuous flight) + Blue Origin New Shepard (2022). ARMAS FM11 flew on IM-2 Athena, landed Moon March 6, 2025 — southernmost lunar landing ever. Collected 32 hours of radiation data across 6 regions (Van Allen → lunar surface). Two FO → Moon missions now documented: NDL/Psionic (IM-1, Feb 2024) and ARMAS (IM-2, Mar 2025). FO tested on World View balloons — which are themselves an FO success story (89368).
  2. ARMAS commercial revenue model: subscriptions + fleet integration. Navy pays annual subscription for HASDM space weather data (~$180–490K/year). Virgin Galactic Delta fleet integrated ARMAS for radiation monitoring. Commercial aviation flights monitored. Total ~$7.9M tracked across NASA, DoD, NOAA.
  3. Creare LAD: FO as specialist R&D contractor enablement. Creare [155234] (TRL5→6, 2023–2024) validated LAD in microgravity for cryogenic propellant management. Creare has $38M+ NASA cryogenic contracts (cryocoolers, wide range pump). FO project is one node in a sustained relationship; no single mission attribution but technology feeds Artemis cryogenic infrastructure.
  4. Aurora EDLS: Patent filed, Boeing absorbed, technology shelved. Aurora [91361] (TRL4→6, 2014–2016) validated dynamic load sensors for ISS ARED exercise. Patent US20190015702A1 filed 2019. Boeing acquired Aurora Nov 2017. Aurora's focus shifted to defense aviation (CRANE $94M, Liberty Lifter $48M). No ISS deployment confirmed. New archetype: "FO validates, company acquired, technology shelved by acquirer."
  5. P2 base rate update (18 projects). Second P2 batch (8 projects this session): 1 major success (ARMAS→Moon), 1 specialist R&D (Creare), 1 TechLeap winner no-follow-on (Orion Labs), 2 TRL stagnation-subsidiary (Honeybee, Rocket Lab), 1 patent-shelved (Aurora), 1 canceled-commercial-anyway (Aerojet), 1 dead-end-alternative-succeeded (SwRI). Combined Sessions 5+6 (18 P2 projects): ~3–4 genuine positive outcomes out of 18 (17–22%). Lower than P1 but higher than "no outcomes" metadata suggests.
  6. World View cross-reference confirmed. ARMAS FO balloon tests used World View's balloon platform — an FO success that enables other FO technologies. Two KB entries share infrastructure. This is the first "FO success enabling another FO success" linkage documented.

Session 5 New Findings

  1. NanoRacks FO centrifuge → Starlab. NanoRacks' FO [93991] (centrifuge for New Shepard, TRL5→6, 2017–2019) was one node in an ISS commercialization arc that ended with Voyager Space acquisition (2021) and $217M+ Starlab CLD contract. CCDR completed Feb 2026; launch on Starship ~2028. $55.9M+ additional NASA contracts tracked. Attribution is indirect — Starlab derives from full ISS ops track record, not centrifuge specifically.
  2. SpaceWorks/TVA: EDL → RED product line. Terminal Velocity Aerospace (SpaceWorks subsidiary) FO [94161] (ADS-B+Iridium EDL comm, TRL4→6, 2014–2015) + SpaceWorks FO [106674] (autonomous LEO recovery, TRL5→6, 2020–2023) = RED payload return capsule product. MOU Southern Launch Apr 2024; TechLeap Prize Jul 2025 (with Astral Materials, semiconductor crystal); demo Q2 2026. TVA-is-SpaceWorks finding: these two FO projects are same company's same technology lineage.
  3. Blue Origin LiDAR (TRL0 gain). FO [158500] (2024–2025) developed dual-mode landing lidar for polar lunar conditions. TRL stayed at 4 despite completion — project was feasibility/design rather than flight test. Likely feeding into Blue Moon MK1 (VIPER mission, launch 2028). Note: separate from SPLICE Tipping Point (2018–2021) which tested NASA-developed NDL on New Shepard.
  4. Zandef Deksit ExoCam: technology in limbo. FO [106700] (TRL4→6, Oct 2021 Masten Xaero test) produced working deployment mechanism and 360° lunar landing video capability. Then Masten bankrupt Jul 2022 — primary flight host gone. FY24 SBIR Phase I ($150K) shows company alive and pursuing vacuum qualification. No CLPS flight confirmed. Watch for IM-2 or Blue Ghost 2 payload manifests.
  5. Astrobotic has two FO projects. [93996] (AAS TRL4→6, 2013–2016) predates canceled [91338]. AAS is the core landing tech basis for Peregrine and Griffin, continued by LaRC $7.97M TRN contract to TRL9.
  6. P2 base rate (preliminary). First batch of 10 P2 projects (industry-led, completed, TRL+1/+2, no outcomes) shows more diversity than expected: 1 commercial space station (NanoRacks), 1 commercial product (SpaceWorks RED), 1 active maturation (Blue Origin), 1 technology in limbo (Zandef Deksit), 1 second project for existing company (Astrobotic). No outright dead ends in this batch yet.

Session 4 New Findings

  1. Nexolve LISA-T flew on orbit (Aug 2024). FO project 106590 validated deployment mechanism (TRL5→6) in parabolic flight → PTD-4 "Triumph" launched SpaceX Transporter-11 August 2024 → LISA-T confirmed deployed on orbit. Nexolve is now a $18.8M NASA deployable structures contractor (Solar Cruiser, NEA Scout, lunar lander solar arrays, DragSail). PTD-4 bus was built by Tyvak/Terran Orbital.
  2. Falcon ExoDynamics: dual market. LITTLE OWL (FO, TRL4→6) is still in TechLeap competition. The company independently developed "Handle 2.0" (modular satellite payload-bus interface) for the Space Force: $3.3M + $2.23M VICTUS SALO2, flies Victus Salo late 2026. FO and Handle are unrelated products from the same company. Pattern: FO companies may have parallel defense revenue streams that dwarf FO-funded work.
  3. Saber Astronautics: hardware FO → software DoD pivot. DragEN electrodynamic tether reached TRL6 but was never commercially deployed. Company pivoted to space domain awareness software (Sentinel, WINDU, Space Cockpit) — $8.7M Air Force + MDA contracts. FO validated the hardware; the company found a bigger market in software.
  4. All P1 targets now investigated. Sessions 1–4 covered all high-priority industry-led projects (P1: outcomes + high TRL gain). Coverage: 35/430 = 8.1%. No cherry-picking — included dead ends and data anomalies. Next target: P2 batch (72 mid-signal industry-led completed projects).
  5. Outcome date anomaly: Several FO projects have outcome dates that predate the project start (MSNW: outcome 2013, start 2014; SVSC: outcome 2013, start 2016). These are TechPort data entry errors. The "Advanced To | [date] | partner: Other" records with anomalous dates should be interpreted as null outcomes.
  6. Third health/medical archetype confirmed. MGH NINscan (TRL4→7, NINscan-SE in Epilepsy Foundation clinical wiki, 4+ publications) joins Henry Ford ultrasound (ISS protocols + global telemedicine) as examples of FO producing clinical/research impact without commercial products. Orbital Medicine is the failed case. Pattern is now clear: FO health outcomes depend on (1) broad applicability beyond space, and (2) institutional adoption path.

Session 14 New Findings

  1. OSIRIS-REx [12244]: FO validated the sampler that collected asteroid Bennu. Lockheed Martin used FO parabolic flights to test TAGSAM — the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism — showing 4–5× collection performance improvement over ground-based tests. OSIRIS-REx launched Sep 2016, successfully sampled Bennu Oct 2020, returned 60g of carbon-rich asteroid material Sep 2023. Co-PI was Dante Lauretta (University of Arizona) who was also the mission PI. This is the portfolio's strongest deep-space sample-return infusion case: FO specifically validated the sample-collection mechanism before launch.

  2. FOMS [106634] + Mercury Systems [106682]: Both FO-funded ZBLAN fiber projects flew to ISS on CRS-25 (Jul 2022). Together they produced 11.9 km of fiber on orbit (7+ miles) and set a 45× single-day production record. FO parabolic flights were the explicit precursor step for both payloads. This is the portfolio's best example of competing FO performers both advancing via the same ISS mission. Commercial viability post-ISS remains unresolved: neither company has announced commercial revenue from space-drawn ZBLAN.

  3. Final Frontier Design [72036] → Paragon → Artemis xEVAS. Zero TRL gain from FO (5→5). Acquired by Paragon Space Development Corp (Jan 2022). Paragon + Axiom Space won the NASA xEVAS contract (Jun 2022, 10-year, up to $3.5B) for next-gen Artemis spacesuits. The causal chain from FO to xEVAS is indirect: the acquisition was driven by Paragon's existing ISS ECLSS position, not FFD's FO data. But the technology survived and is now in the Artemis supply chain.

  4. Virgin Orbit [94192, 94204]: Commercial success then failure. FO funded LauncherOne propulsion development and Ames collaboration (2015–2019). LauncherOne delivered 10 NASA CubeSats on its first successful mission (Jan 17, 2021) and achieved 4 orbital successes total. Company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Apr 4, 2023. Assets sold to Rocket Lab ($16M), Launcher ($3M), Stratolaunch ($17M). Archetype: "Commercial success then failure" — same as Astra Space. Technology worked; business model didn't survive two consecutive launch failures. PI Sirisha Bandla (on [94204]) flew to space commercially in Jul 2021.

  5. Sierra Nevada ORBITEC WCD [106669]: 4-month FO campaign → 2 US patents. A very short FO project (Apr–Aug 2017) produced patents US11213779B2 and US11660557B2. The passive water capture device (no moving parts, capillary-driven) is assigned to both SNC and Sierra Space. Sierra Space is building Orbital Reef with Blue Origin — WCD is likely in their ECLSS technology pipeline. Notable co-inventor: Mark Weislogel (Portland State), the leading capillary fluid physics researcher in the US.

  6. Blue Origin POSE [106728]: Zero TRL advance, 1573 views, 3.3 years. UWB + vision-based RPO sensor didn't advance from TRL 4 despite a 3-year project. This is Blue Origin's second FO navigation project with zero TRL advance (also [158500] LiDAR). Blue Origin may be using FO funding for exploratory capability assessment rather than near-mission development — no documents, no publications, no outcomes in TechPort.

  7. Psionic [106687] adds a 2nd FO project to the NDL arc. Discovery: Psionic had their own FO project (2019–2021, TRL4→6) — the "4th-generation" PNDL — immediately after NASA LaRC's project [91351] closed out. The full arc is now: LaRC [91351] FO (2013–2019) → license 2016 → Psionic [106687] FO (2019–2021) → IM-1 TRL9 (Feb 2024). Two FO projects, same terminal outcome: lunar landing. This strengthens the causal argument considerably — FO funded both the government R&D and the commercial maturation.

  8. Made in Space has 4 FO projects. VULCAN [106743] (TRL4→6, 2021–2024) is now an active Redwire commercial product (Ti/Al + polymer, autonomous CNC+AM+inspection). This brings Made in Space/Redwire's FO portfolio to: AMF [91394] (TRL9, ISS deployed), GAMMA-ALF [106680] (dead end), MSTIC [155254] (ISS NG-20 Feb 2024), VULCAN [106743] (commercial product). Three positive outcomes from four FO projects — the highest batting average of any multi-project FO company.

  9. Coverage update: ~173 projects / 430 = ~40%. Page 2 audit confirmed no major hidden clusters missed; remaining uncovered (~257 projects) are primarily academia with lower expected infusion rates.

Session 15 New Findings

  1. Interlune CRUMBLE [158666]: DOE He-3 purchase agreement — first-ever US government purchase of lunar resources. Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17) is co-I on the CRUMBLE regolith milling project. Commercial deals: $300M+ Bluefors agreement (10,000L He-3/year 2028–2037), DOE purchase (3L ≤Apr 2029), USAF $1.25M He-3 defense supply chain contract. NASA SBIR Phase III $6.89M for PROSPECT MOON lunar demo mission. Pilot plant on Moon by 2029. FO CRUMBLE validates regolith milling physics as a precursor to He-3 extraction. 3,556 views — highest in active FO set. New page: organizations/interlune.md.

  2. Varda Space Industries [155263]: W-5 returned Jan 2026 with first all-Varda-manufactured C-PICA heat shield — TRL 9 achieved. W-6 launched Mar 30, 2026; six missions total. C-PICA (Conformal PICA) was invented by NASA Ames co-I Ethiraj Venkatapathy — direct inventor-to-licensee tech transfer chain. $35.8M tracked: USAF StratFI $22.34M for "economical reentry capsules for hypersonic testing" + task orders. The DoD hypersonic testing market is Varda's primary revenue stream. Clean NASA→FO Tipping Point→commercial product chain. New page: organizations/varda-space.md.

  3. Resilient Computing [184144]: Dual-FO arc confirmed — same pattern as NDL/Psionic. MSU RadPC [91411] (2013–2017) → Resilient Computing licensed IP (2021) → Resilient Computing own FO project [184144] (Jun 2025–Jun 2028). Three patents (US 11,966,284; 12,050,688; 12,287,713). $2.79M NASA+DoD contracts. LaMeres (MSU) is co-I on the spinoff's FO project. Two confirmed dual-FO arcs now: NDL/Psionic ([91351]+[106687]) and RadPC/Resilient Computing ([91411]+[184144]). Updated: organizations/msu-radpc.md.

  4. Rhea Space Activity JAM [155243]: GPS-denied navigation → lunar orbit relay on CP-12 CLPS. JAM will fly two units on Draper's CP-12 CLPS mission (2026) as cislunar communication relays for ispace-US APEX 1.0 lander. This directly links the Rhea FO arc to the Draper precision landing arc. Technology lineage: NASA Deep Impact autonomous navigation algorithm. DoD portfolio: $9.8M+ (USAF GPS-denied reentry vehicles, Army Special Forces ATAK ANVIL, Space Force VANGUARD orbital maneuver). Same algorithm navigates spacecraft and soldiers in GPS-denied environments — unusual dual-use. New page: organizations/rhea-space-activity.md.

  5. Juno Propulsion [184154]: TechLeap Prize + FO = double-backed RDRE, targeting first orbital rotating detonation engine (summer 2026). Ethane + N₂O green propellants eliminate hydrazine. 5–10% higher Isp, 30% smaller, 15% lighter, 40% less power. University of Washington + Purdue lineage. Activate fellowship (DoE deep tech). $40K federal contracts — pre-revenue but credibly funded for flight test. Pattern: TechLeap + FO = NASA double-backing of promising technologies (same as SpaceWorks RED, LITTLE OWL, A-LiST). New page: organizations/juno-propulsion.md.

  6. Ecoatoms [106609, 184148, 158510]: Three simultaneous FO projects — unusual multi-track engagement. Biosensors (5-year project, Dec 2021–Dec 2026, Blue Origin New Shepard), HERMES genomics (TechLeap Prize Jun 2025, summer 2026 flight), ANIMA universal payload adapter (TRL 2→8 target). Zero USASpending contracts after 4+ years — entirely grant-funded. Interpretation: either a broad-portfolio platform company or a pre-revenue company with ambitious TRL claims. 7,309 total views across 3 projects. New page: organizations/ecoatoms.md.

  7. Active FO portfolio analyzed (51 projects): multiple multi-project arcs emerging. Multi-project companies in active set: Astrobotic (4 FO projects total: [91338]+[93996]+[106719]+[106610]), SpaceWorks (3: [94161]+[106674]+[184152]), CisLunar Industries (2: [158519]+[184141]), Ecoatoms (3: [106609]+[184148]+[158510]), JHU/APL JANUS (5: [91355]+[91597]+[106633]+[106720]+[155239]). Multi-project arcs are the strongest signal of technology maturation via FO — the program is being used systematically, not opportunistically.

  8. Coverage update: ~190 projects investigated / 430 total = ~44%. Active set fully sampled (51 projects). Industry-led completed: ~100% coverage. NASA Centers: ~100% coverage. Academia: ~20% coverage (primary remaining gap).

Research Log → log.md