SBIR-STTR Award

Thorleaf Research, Inc. proposes to develop a miniaturized in situ atmospheric probe sampling inlet system for measuring chemical and isotopic composition of the atmospheres of the giant planets, with special emphasis on NASA needs for missions to Uranus and Saturn. Our innovative design will provide a constant flow rate of sample to the inlet of a mass spectrometer (MS) in spite of more than a hundred-fold variation in external atmospheric pressure, allowing the detection sensitivity of the MS to be optimized over the full descent profile of the atmospheric probe, unlike previous sampling systems that depended on fixed leaks. This addresses a key technology gap for planetary studies, mainly how to acquire and prepare samples for in situ analysis while meeting challenging mass, volume and power constraints. Based on our analysis, we project a system mass on the order of 0.5 kg and an average power consumption of <0.5 watt, depending on materials and the configuration selected. The goal of our proposed SBIR Phase I effort is to demonstrate feasibility for a miniaturized in situ atmospheric probe sampling inlet system for Uranus and Saturn, and to develop a detailed design for fabricating prototype instrumentation in Phase II.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Thorleaf Research's proposed development of a miniaturized in situ atmospheric probe sampling inlet system is focused on meeting future NASA needs. For example, in situ atmospheric probes for both Uranus and Saturn have been given a high priority in NRC's decadal survey, with Uranus selected for a possible Flagship Mission, and Saturn recommended for a possible New Frontiers Mission. Here, Uranus as an ice-giant offers important potential for new discoveries with special relevance for understanding newly discovered exoplanets, and an atmospheric probe for Saturn could be used in testing the helium differentiation hypothesis. For both Uranus and Saturn, determination of the relative abundance of hydrogen, helium, chemical compounds, noble gases and their isotopes can help address fundamental questions about nebular evolution and the origin of the giant-planets in the Solar System. Our sampling inlet system will be especially useful when coupled to NASA/JPL's miniature mass spectrometer technology. Because of our modular design approach, this system can also be adapted to other detectors of interest to NASA, as well as measurements in the atmospheres of the other giant planets and Venus.

Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Analysis of commercial instrumentation markets shows that two of the three major growth areas for analytical instrumentation are real-time analysis and environmental monitoring, with projected annual growth rates of more than 15%. Our modular design approach for the high pressure atmospheric sampling inlet system will help it be adapted for high pressure measurement needs in scientific, energy exploration and environmental monitoring applications. Thus, technical developments in the proposed program could have a significant market impact.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Analytical Instruments (Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma, Energy; see also Sensors) Analytical Methods Chemical/Environmental (see also Biological Health/Life Support)