Paragon Space Development Corporation¶
Page created: session 52 (2026-04-06)
Summary¶
Paragon Space Development Corporation (Tucson, AZ) has 43 TechPort projects spanning five distinct technology domains. Despite their reputation as an ECLSS/life-support specialist, Paragon's portfolio is broader than expected: thermal control radiators, cryogenic soft-goods systems, lunar ISRU cold traps, and a Venus aerobot. Their highest TRL achievements are IRA water recovery (TRL 6) and SMARTS shape-memory-alloy radiator (TRL 6). One project is currently Active (2026).
- Query:
lead_organization="Paragon Space Development", status=all → 43 results (2026-04-04 snapshot) - Programs: SBIR/STTR (~40), GCD (1), FO (1), TDM (1)
Technology Domains¶
1. Life Support and ECLSS (TX06) — Primary domain¶
The IRA wastewater recovery system is Paragon's flagship life support program. Two-phase SBIR lineage (with TTU as subcontractor):
| Project | ID | Period | TRL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Phase I | 89792 | 2016–2017 | 3→5 | MABR + Nafion membrane + Paragon's BPA integration |
| IRA Phase II | 101819 | 2017–2020 | 5→6 | Full EDU demo; feeds BLiSS [157839] |
| COSMIC FO | 155245 | 2023–2026 | 4→5 | Condensate separator, rotating seal, FO parabolic validation |
| STOOLE | 102027 | 2019–2020 | 2→4 | Feces + mixed wastewater recovery |
| CO2 Sorbent for xEMU | 125454 | 2022–2023 | 3→4 | Regenerable sorbents for EVA CO2 removal |
| SCALE/xTON | 125778 | 2022–2023 | 2→4 | Spacesuit cover for lunar abrasion + O2 environments |
| SCALE/xTON II | 158580 | 2024–2026 | 3→4 | Follow-on SBIR |
| xLiDS | 125511 | 2022–2023 | 2→4 | Lunar dust seals for spacesuit joints |
Cross-reference: IRA TRL 6 feeds directly into BLiSS as the Paragon/TTU wastewater integration subcontract.
2. Thermal Control (TX14) — Secondary domain¶
Paragon has a multi-generation thermal management SBIR stream and one GCD success:
| Project | ID | Period | TRL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMARTS SMA Radiator | 116383 | 2020–2022 | 4→6 | GCD; shape-memory-alloy morphing radiator for lunar day/night; JSC+GRC co-investigators; published paper |
| SPAHR | 102182 | 2019–2020 | 3→4 | Smart Passively Articulating High-Turndown Radiator, 13:1 range |
| FlexRAD | 94591 | 2018–2019 | 2→3 | Flexible radiator for inflatable habitats |
| Controlled Stagnation Radiator | 93427 | 2017–2018 | 2→4 | Kilowatt-scale TCS |
| SDC (three phases) | 8805, 8527, 102799 | 2010–2014 | 3→4 | Sublimator Driven Coldplate |
| COSMIC Phase I | 94539 | 2018–2019 | 3→4 | Condensate separator (also TX14) |
| MOVE (dust on radiators) | 113369 | 2021 | 2→4 | Vibration modal dust removal from radiators |
SMARTS (Shape Memory Alloys for Regulating TCS in Space) is Paragon's highest-visible GCD achievement. Published paper at Texas Tech University IR. Paragon PI; GRC and JSC as co-investigators via PM Werkheiser/Thornblom team.
3. Cryogenic Soft-Goods and Propulsion (TX01/TX14)¶
Paragon's "CELSIUS" / "FABI" line uses Thin Red Line Aerospace (TRLA) as subcontractor:
| Project | ID | Period | TRL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CELSIUS TDM | 116756 | 2019–2021 | 4→5 | TDM; MLI+MMOD+fairing functions in one soft-goods system; wind tunnel + rocket sled tests; 2,212 views; Advanced_To partner (likely SpaceX or ULA) |
| FABI Phase I | 33663 | 2015 | 1→4 | Inflatable cryogenic tank shroud |
| FABI Phase II | 90537 | 2016–2019 | 4→5 | CELSIUS lineage |
| EPT Phase I | 102177 | 2019–2020 | 2→4 | Ellipsoidal Propellant Tank, inflatable cryo structure, 30% mass savings |
| EPT Phase II | 102657 | 2020–2022 | 3→4 | Full-scale cryogenic tank EDU |
| Thermally Insulative Structural Connection | 90136 | 2016 | 2→4 | Thermal isolation for cryo upper stages |
CELSIUS Advanced_To "Other" (×2) — resolved (session 54). Both entries point to CFM Portfolio Project 116759 (TDM umbrella, closed Sep 2024). "Other" is the partner-type field (=industry), not a different destination. CELSIUS fed into the CFM portfolio, not to a named commercial launch provider. The description targets the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) cryo tank environment — CELSIUS is an SLS-adjacent technology absorbed by the CFM umbrella.
4. Lunar ISRU (TX07)¶
| Project | ID | Period | TRL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICICLE Phase II | 113309 | 2021–2024 | 3→5 | Cold trap for lunar PSR ice vapor from sublimation mining; Freeze Tube EDU demonstrated real ice formation; PI Jordan Holquist |
| ICICLE Phase I | 102815 | 2020–2021 | 2→3 | Conceptual design |
| ISRU O2 from regolith Phase I | 8132 | 2010 | 2→3 | Electrolytic reduction of ilmenite |
| ISRU O2 from regolith Phase II | 9569 | 2011–2013 | 3→4 | Contaminant-robust brine-cleaning design |
| SOE/Sabatier Phase I | 16152 | 2013 | 2→3 | Solid Oxide Electrolyzer for ISRU |
| SOE/Sabatier Phase II | 17778 | 2014–2017 | 3→4 | SOE+Sabatier for CH4 production |
| Non-Water Lunar Ice Mining | 125684 | 2022–2023 | 2→2 | Non-water volatile processing from PSRs |
ICICLE is the standout: real Freeze Tube EDU hardware at TRL 5, with documented ice formation from cold-trap capture. Document 379113 shows the benchtop test rig with labeled coolant inlets, gear pump, and internal ice visible in the inset. ICICLE interfaces with mining-architecture extractors (Honeybee RedWater, Masten/others) — Paragon provides the downstream ice capture and purification step that converts vapor to usable water.
Cross-reference: See Honeybee Robotics for the upstream RedWater drill that ICICLE would interface with.
5. Venus Exploration (TX04/TX08) — Unexpected¶
| Project | ID | Period | TRL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARVEL SBIR Phase II | 113349 | 2021–2023 | 3→5 | Mechanical-compression aerobot for Venus; Paragon+TRLA; PI Chad Bower+Danny Milobar; Tucson AZ+CA |
| Variable Altitude Venus Platform | 103156 | 2020–2021 | 3→4 | Altitude-control balloon for 40-60+ km Venus range, 145°C tolerance |
MARVEL = Mechanical-compression Aerobot for extended Range Venus ExpLoration. A metallic lobed balloon capable of trajectory and altitude control in Venus atmosphere. The final summary chart image (file 379302) shows: - Top: A ribbed metallic aerobot prototype (~0.5-1m diameter), fully inflated, suspended in test facility. Lobed construction with yellow connectors, metallic foil outer shell. - Bottom: The compression mechanism internals — a cylindrical white foam-insulated container with electronics, likely the mechanical compression system that changes buoyancy by altering volume.
Paragon's entry into Venus exploration appears to stem from their soft-goods expertise (TRLA = flexible/inflatable structures) + thermal management experience (surviving extreme Venus environments). This is their most unexpected capability.
6. Inflatable Structures and Structural Monitoring (TX12/TX06)¶
| Project | ID | Period | TRL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable Habitat Phase I | 16806 | 2013 | 1→4 | All-fabric inflatable habitat module with Paragon+TRLA |
| Expandable Habitat Outfit Structures | 93475 | 2017 | 2→4 | Structural outfitting for inflatable habitat |
| V&V of Inflatable Structure Phase I | 8487 | 2010 | 2→3 | Methodology for testing inflatable pressure vessels |
| V&V Phase II | 9616 | 2011–2012 | 3→4 | |
| Softgoods Strain Sensor Phase II | 158766 | 2024–2026 | 3→6 | Active — embroidered textile strain sensor for inflatable structural health monitoring |
| Softgoods Strain Sensor Phase I | 154600 | 2023–2024 | 2→4 | Phase I |
| Ionomer Water Processor Phase I | 9158 | 2011 | 2→3 | |
| Ionomer Water Processor Phase II | 9643 | 2012–2014 | 3→5 | |
| RFC Fuel Cell | 17870 | 2014 | 2→3 | SOE/Sabatier as RFC system |
TRL Achievement Summary¶
| TRL | Projects |
|---|---|
| TRL 6 | IRA Phase II [101819], SMARTS [116383] |
| TRL 5 | IRA Phase I [89792], CELSIUS [116756], MARVEL [113349], ICICLE [113309], COSMIC [155245], FABI [90537], Ionomer WP [9643] |
| TRL 4 | ~22 projects (bulk of SBIR activity) |
Active Projects (as of 2026-04-04)¶
One: 158766 Softgoods Webbing Integrated Strain Sensor for Inflatable (SWISS, SBIR Phase II, 2024–2026, TRL 3→6). Phase I down-selected to embroidered configuration with exceptional linear performance. Phase II: further iteration, long-duration testing (≥1 month), subscale inflatable test article with sensors. PI: Sam Moghbeli (Paragon). PM: Douglas Litteken (JSC, soft structures). PMs: Kessler/Torrez.
Hardware confirmed (file 317230, session 54): White nylon webbing (seatbelt-width) with a thin conductive trace embroidered in a zigzag/herringbone pattern directly into the textile weave. Clean, manufacturable design — the trace stretches with the webbing and changes electrical resistance to measure strain. Target customers: inflatable habitats, suits, robotic systems, parachutes, cargo restraints.
Paragon Business Model¶
Paragon is an industry-led SBIR participant, not primarily a center. Their typical pattern: - Phase I (6 months): Conceptual design and feasibility - Phase II (2-3 years): Hardware development to TRL 4-5 - Phase III / follow-on: Via GCD (SMARTS), FO (COSMIC), or TDM (CELSIUS)
Primary partner: Thin Red Line Aerospace (TRLA), a Canadian soft-goods manufacturer. TRLA appears as subcontractor on CELSIUS, FABI, MARVEL, EPT, and inflatable habitat work. This suggests Paragon's structural core competency is flexible pressure vessels + thermal management of those structures.
Key program contact: Werkheiser/Thornblom team (GCD) and Jason Kessler (SBIR program director).
Open Threads¶
- ICICLE → BLiSS/MOXIE connection: Does ICICLE integrate with any active GCD ISRU program (e.g., MMPACT, Redwater/Honeybee)? The Phase II ended April 2024, with no TechPort transition recorded.
- MARVEL → DAVINCI: Resolved (session 53). MARVEL is not applicable to DAVINCI — DAVINCI is a descent probe (one-way, high-pressure entry), not an altitude-controlled aerobot. No active Venus aerobot platform project exists in TechPort as of April 2026. The full Venus aerobot ecosystem (MARVEL TRL 5 + Near Space Corp deployment TRL 6) closed out in 2023 with no follow-on. MARVEL is a TRL 5 orphan. See venus-aerobot-ecosystem.md for full analysis.
- CELSIUS → commercial: Resolved (session 54). Both entries point to CFM Portfolio [116759] — absorbed into TDM CFM umbrella, not a named commercial destination.
- SMARTS → FSP/Lunar thermal: SMA radiator at TRL 6. Is this being considered for FSP [105671] or LunaGrid TCS applications?
- Softgoods strain sensor [158766]: TRL 3→6 target by June 2026 — an unusually high Phase II TRL target. Hardware confirmed (embroidered conductive trace in webbing). If achieved, this would be Paragon's third TRL 6 achievement. Track outcome at June 2026 closeout.