The NASA Marshall invention makes use of a template fabricated via 3D printing that encapsulates diamond pellets and fits over a CNC tool head. The unique design solves the problems associated with similar, commercially available designs where other types of fixtures articulated, or gave way, too much, rendering those previous tools ineffective. By encapsulating the diamond pellets in a 3D printed template whose stiffness and articulation can be controlled by air pressure and thickness, mid-spatial frequency errors are eliminated at their source. The tool was originally developed to address recurring issues in fabricating UV and x-ray optical surfaces, but can be used for visible-range optical surfaces or for any surface that requires precision finishing, whether curved, flat or aspheric. This could include medical devices like artificial joints, as well as semiconductor wafers, sapphire windows and many others. By reducing the processing time in polishing complex surfaces by as much as half, the NASA invention can also reduce costs. Using the NASA tool, very low arc-second resolution mirrors can be fabricated on a robotic polisher. The tool can be set up and used in less than one day and can be rebuilt quickly, with few components requiring replacement. The tool can be used on glasses, metals and other materials used for optics and precision surfaces.

The SCAPS (Single-Coil Absolute Position Sensor) GAPSYN (Inductive Gap Sensor) Digital Signal Conditioning Electronics technology (MFS-32318-1) provides voltage that is proportional to the position of the sensor. This circuit processes two signals from the position sensor to determine the amplitude of an amplitude-modulated signal from the position sensor, correcting for gap fluctuations and nonlinearities. An Absolute Limit Switch (MFS-32192-1) utilizes the SCAPS technology to produce an absolute limit switch point, such as to stop a movable carriage. The system for sensing the position of a rotor in a hybrid stepper motor (MFS-32402-1) is a rate-insensitive (i.e., operates at any speed, including zero rate), linear feedback sensor system that can be used for controlling two-phase and multi-phase stepper motors. The Micro-Commanding Servo Motor Controller With Greater Than Fifty Million To One Dynamic Rate Range technology (MFS-31529-1) senses rotary position of a drive shaft to derive appropriate drive signals for a motor. The Short-Range Antenna/Close-Proximity Transmitter and Receiver technology (MFS- 32228-1) is an inexpensive and effective method of exchanging information over a short distance between two devices when each is equipped with a SCAPS coil.

Earth Gram 2010 is an open-source Fortran computer code that can run on a variety of platforms including PCs and UNIX stations. The model provides values for atmospheric parameters such as density, temperature, winds, and constituents for any month and at any altitude and location within the Earth's atmosphere. Versions from 1999 and 2007 are also available.

Wyle-3S built an enormously forceful shock and vibration system to simulate liftoff stresses. Wyle-3S had extensive aerospace research experience and has been particularly successful in developing spinoff applications. In addition to earthquake testing, the company has adapted its shaking technology, originating from Apollo to simulation of dynamic transportation environments, in order to evaluate effects on such equipment as railway cars, rail or road- transported cargo and truck refrigeration units. A variation of this technology provides a non-destructive method of testing highway pavements.

Marshall Space Flight Center engineers invented the Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) to analyze rocket engine fluid flow. Concepts NREC, Inc., incorporated GFSSP into its Cooled Turbine Airfoil Agile Design System (CTAADS). Specializing in all aspects of turbomachinery with applications ranging from aircraft engines to industrial pumps, the company developed the product to reduce the total time and cost for designing cooled turbine airfoils. CTAADS provides a systematic, logical, and rapid 3-D modeling approach to cooling-system design for cooled axial turbine vanes and blades. The product is a fully integrated suite of independent software modules that supports the rapid generation of airfoil cooling-passage geometry and performs complete 3-D thermal analysis. Other possible commercial applications for the software include heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, chemical processing, gas processing, power plants, hydraulic control circuits, and various types of fluid distribution systems.

EPIC is an interactive computer toolset that enables the construction of a 3D spacecraft model and the assessment of a variety of interactions between the model's subsystems and the plume from an electric thruster. EPIC unites different computer tools to address the many complexities associated with spacecraft/plume interaction processes.

The present invention relates to an electrically conductive membrane that can be configured to be used in fuel cell systems to act as a hydrophilic water separator internal to the fuel cell, or as a water separator used with water vapor fed electrolysis cells, or as a water separator used with water vapor fed electrolysis cells, or as a capillary structure in a thin head pipe evaporator, or as a hydrophobic gas diffusion layer covering the fuel cell electrode surface in a fuel cell.

With technical assistance from Marshall Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center, Protective Cable and Wire developed Lightning Retardant Cable (LRC). LRC improves lightning protection over standard coaxial cable by 100 percent. The LRC design keeps lightning from traveling through the cable, preventing damage to satellites, antennas, and cable systems. LRC is now being used in homes as well as airports.

Veritec's VeriSystem is a complete identification and tracking system for component traceability, improved manufacturing and processing, and automated shop floor applications. The system includes the Vericode Symbol, a more accurate and versatile alternative to the traditional bar code, that is scanned by charge coupled device (CCD) cameras. The system was developed by Veritec, Rockwell International and Marshall Space Flight Center to identify and track Space Shuttle parts.