TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: MULTI-LINK SPHERICAL JOINT (MSC-TOPS-109)

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses. 

THE TECHNOLOGY:  

Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have designed a spherical joint which allows up to six linearly actuated links or attachments to rotate about a co-located center. Originally designed to provide joint flexibility necessary for a variable geometry truss system, the new spherical joint also allows power and data lines to pass through it without the lines being subjected to structural forces. This technology can be key for creating a deployable, variable geometry truss system, with a compact form factor that can reduce payload volume within the confines of a launch or other transport vehicle. Typically, flexible truss systems rely on joints where each of the links do not rotate around the same point, creating instability in the joints and the entire structure. The Multi-Link Spherical Joint removes those instabilities, allowing for a durable and adaptable technology with multiple space and terrestrial applications. 

To express interest in this licensing opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/MSC-TOPS-109  

If you have any questions, please e-mail NASA’s Technology Transfer Program at Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this SAM.gov notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/. 

These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.