CU Aerospace was just awarded a Phase II grant for $750,000 from a proposal that was initially turned in back in 2019.
David Carroll Ph.D. CU Aerospace CEO
“So NASA normally has their STTR cycle that they announce annualy… in December,” president David Carroll told the 4thEst8. “We bid an STTR proposal, but didn’t receive the award at that time, but we just got an email … that we were selected as one of two additional STTR’s. We’re super excited about that.”
The grant is for the development of an advanced flow control system for an electric spacecraft propulsion system called a Hall Effect Thruster – using an electric field to accelerate ions and use them for thrust. This STTR grant is in partnership with researchers at the University of Michigan Electric Propulsion Group. Their scientists will work on the Hall Thruster, and CUA will work on the flow controller for the system. Carroll says CUA will likely hire a new engineer with a background in manufacturing and quality control because of this grant.
“We should be able to deliver a flight system to NASA, if they so choose,” said Carroll, adding that work should begin this fall and take about two years for completion.
Founded in 1998 CU Aerospace is headquartered in Champaign, Il. The engineering company has brought in scores of SBIR grants for many millions of dollars helping them develop technologies for which they hold more than a dozen patents.
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