Table 1 : NASA Research Focus Areas 

RFA

Title

RFA-156

Lunar and Martian Sustainability of Additively Manufactured Materials

RFA-155

Development and Thermal/Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Polymer Composites

RFA-154

Soft matter with specific focus on granular materials, colloidal science, rheology and other non-Newtonian Fluids

RFA-153

Development of an algorithm to invert 3D capacitance data to estimate 3D dielectric profile

RFA-152

Compact, deployable dual polarized low frequency (40-200 MHz) Log Periodic Dipole Array (LPDA) antenna for remote sensing of magnetic field of distribution inside large expulsions of plasma from the Sun’s corona.

RFA-151

Photogrammetric methods to measure dynamic motions of structures and validate dynamic models

RFA-150

An autonomous method of structural repair of spacecraft

RFA-149

Self healing metals in space environments

RFA-148

Investigation into technologies that allow for autonomous printing such as in-situ monitoring or self-cleaning technologies.

RFA-147

Investigation of the durability and wear resistance of ceramic parts produced by additive manufacturing.

RFA-146

Optimization of process parameters for ceramic feedstocks used in additive manufacturing in a micro or reduced gravity processing environment.

RFA-144

Investigation of microstructural properties of ceramic parts produced by additive manufacturing compatible with microgravity.

RFA-143

Research into technologies that can print muti-material parts in a singular platform.

RFA-142

Development of methods for in-orbit repair and maintenance of spacecraft using metal additive manufacturing.

RFA-141

Research on ways to improve the quality and consistency of metal AM part produced in microgravity.

RFA-140

Study solidification behavior in simulated microgravity environments.

RFA-139

Study the effect of processing temperatures for bound metal additive manufacturing with an emphasis on how temperature profiles may change in microgravity.

RFA-138

Research into the optimization of process parameters for bound metal deposition additive manufacturing with an emphasis on micro- or reduced gravitational effects.

RFA-137

Investigation of microstructural properties of metal parts produced by bound metal deposition additive manufacturing with an emphasis on micro- or reduced gravitational effects.

RFA-136

Development of new bound metal feedstocks for additive manufacturing using non-solvent based debinding.

RFA-135

Development of lunar, ISRU-based, “waterless” cementitious materials for construction

RFA-134

Lunar regolith simulants

RFA-133

Synthetic biology applications to construction of infrastructure elements

RFA-132

Creating instrumentation to verify structural properties/integrity in space

RFA-131

Reducing water content in concrete

RFA-130

Logistics studies for outfitting

RFA-129

Landing pad design

RFA-128

Outfitting

RFA-127

Concrete chemistry that will lend itself to applications on Earth, as well as space.

RFA-126

Lunar surface navigation using AI-assisted feature identification 

RFA-125

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Methods for Distributed Planning, Scheduling, and Execution Robust to Communication Delays

RFA-124

Quantum Characterizations of classical optical communications links

RFA-123

Fundamental physics requiring quantum sensing in space. Astrophysical, cosmological or fundamental physics concepts requiring quantum systems and sensors in space. Examples include gravitational wave observation, dark matter or dark energy searches, quantum foundations

RFA-122

Optical lattice clocks for space applications. Ultra-precise time keeping with low size, weight and power for deep space position, navigation and timing.  Optical time transfer methods for dissemination of ultra precise clocks.

RFA-121

Quantum magnetometry for space systems: Spin- or defect-based magnetometers with wide bandgap semiconductors or laser cooled atom systems. Capabilities for low size, weight and power, radiation hardening and operation in extreme environments

RFA-120

Laser optical systems for cold atom sensors: Development of high power (>1 W), ultra narrow linewidth (<1 kHz) modular laser systems at 780nm or 852nm for integration with cold atom interferometers, cold atom inertial sensors and optical lattice clocks.

RFA-119

Quantum gravitational sensors: Robust cold atom sensors for space-based gravity gradiometry and gravimetry. Development of low size, weight and power systems utilizing high flux cold or ultra cold atom interferometers based on Rb, Cs or other alkali species for gravity or inertial sensing.

RFA-118

Develop autonomous systems for weld and Additive Manufacturing microscopy (e.g. polishing, etching, imaging)

RFA-117

In-space joining: enabling technology for the space economy

RFA-116

Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) & Multi-Physics Modeling Work-Flows for Optimization of and Detailed Computational Characterization of Existing Materials and for Novel Materials Discovery.

RFA-115

Technologies for autonomous collaborative planetary multi-robot systems

RFA-114

Quantum Computing as a Service

RFA-113

Novel QKD+Chaotic Communications

RFA-112

Quantum Characterizations of classical optical communications links

RFA-111

Low Cost Space Optical Communications

RFA-110

Orbital Angular Momentum for Space Communications

RFA-109

Deep Learning and Neural Networks for Optical Communications

RFA-108

Quantum Clock Synchronization

RFA-107

Quantum Optics

RFA-106

Trash Processing – Recycling and Resources Extraction from Space Logistical Waste

RFA-105

Development of reduced-volume acoustic liner concepts for subsonic aircraft and/or urban air mobility (UAM) applications

RFA-104

Phytoplankton Biodiversity of Inland Waters (South Africa – NASA BioSCape Project)

RFA-103

Low Earth Orbit Downmass Concepts: Development of small, unmanned re-entry vehicle concepts that provide small volume and downmass capabilities designed to deliver products created on the International Space Station to the Earth.

RFA-102

Building Bridges in Biosciences: Creating novel teams of researchers and technologists that collaborate to advance one or more of the following space life sciences topical areas: instrumentation, facilities, databases, artificial intelligences/machine learning, and mission concepts. Proposals must demonstrate benefit to both the astrobiology and space biology communities.

RFA-101

Inorganic Solid-electrolytes Processing and Scale-Up

RFA-100

Multifunctional Structural Materials for Extreme Space Environments

RFA-099

Improvements for Entry, Descent and Landing

RFA-098

Wireless Communication for Avionics and Sensors for Small Spacecraft Space Applications

RFA-097

Water Electrolysis: Includes proton exchange membrane and alkaline electrolyzers.

RFA-096

Utilization of Machine Learning Approaches for Efficient Estimation of Vector Magnetic Fields from SDO/HMI and SoHO/MDI

RFA-095

Transfer Function of Nondestructive Evaluation Response of Cracks and Notches

RFA-094

Tissue and Data sharing for space radiation risk and mitigation strategies

RFA-093

THz limb sounding of the thermosphere

RFA-092

Thermal Batteries: Includes new cell chemistries and spacecraft applications.

RFA-091

The dense, warm interstellar medium

RFA-090

Testing: Ground testing capabilities for small satellites in a realistic environment to perform; Small Satellite inspection flight hardware qualification testing; Small Satellite docking demonstration in a realistic environment

RFA-089

Technologies That Enable Large Swarms of Small Spacecraft

RFA-088

Submm-wave and IR polarimetry for cloud remote sensing

RFA-087

Studying phytoplankton ecology and community composition, both in situ and derived from ocean color remote sensing.

RFA-086

Stereo imaging from space

RFA-085

Spearheading big data analysis using satellite ocean color remote sensing products and field measurements, and create and validate bio-optical algorithms.

RFA-084

Spacecraft Battery Design, Test and Operation.

RFA-083

Space radiation sex-differences

RFA-082

Solid-state electrolytes including polymer/composite polymer electrolyte

RFA-081

Solar power from the cell to the array level, ground and in-space testing of photovoltaic systems, mission support of solar powered spacecraft

RFA-080

Societal ramifications of ethical decision making

RFA-079

Small Spacecraft Lunar Communications and Navigation Networks

RFA-078

Small Spacecraft High-Bandwidth Interoperable Space Layer and Networking for Cislunar and Deep Space

RFA-077

Seismometry to meteorology and  other science measurement preparation

RFA-076

Satellite and Ground Communication systems

RFA-075

Safety of Electro-mechanical Powertrains for Electrified Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Vehicles

RFA-074

Research Fellow for Advanced Manufacturing of Sensors and Electronics

RFA-073

Remote Sensing of Land Use/Cover Changes, Vegetation (forestry, agriculture), Fires

RFA-072

Propulsion : Develop propulsion technology for small satellite proximity operations maneuvers; Provide propulsion performance to meet inspection time and coverage requirements; Ensure propulsion fault tolerance for reliability

RFA-071

Printed sensors (environmental, biosensors, structural health monitoring)

RFA-070

Portable, non-ionizing radiation based, high resolution disease detection imaging

RFA-069

Policy/Standards/Law Making Assessment

RFA-068

Pilot studies to demonstrate the utilization of full systems biology approaches in addressing human spaceflight risks

RFA-067

Pilot studies to adopt terrestrial precision health solutions for astronauts

RFA-066

Phytoplankton pigments and derivation of phytoplankton composition

RFA-065

Orchestrating multiple community driven efforts to standardize data collection, analysis, and management approaches; an example technical manual can be found here: https://repository.oceanbestpractices.org/handle/11329/1705

RFA-064

Novel thermal management of the propulsion components and/or of the propulsion system.

RFA-063

Nondestructive Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing

RFA-062

Multi-Physics Modeling:  Thermal, fluid dynamics, electrochemical modeling for a wide range of reactor and device applications.

RFA-061

Molten Regolith Electrolysis:  High temperature electrolysis of lunar and Martian soils to generate oxygen gas and metals.

RFA-060

Molecular clouds and star formation

RFA-059

Modeling, analysis, and support from field data for Venus related seismometer

RFA-058

Model Zoo” of pretrained biological models for transfer learning on space biology datasets

RFA-057

Mineralogy, geochemistry, and water-rock interactions

RFA-056

Materials development for additive manufacturing

RFA-055

Manufacturing and integration of low-cost, robust, reusable thermal protection systems with high temperature capability

RFA-054

Machine Learning-Based Detection of Flood Extent and Impacts

RFA-053

Lunar manufacturing of solar cells and sensors

RFA-052

Low temperature performance and thermal management

RFA-051

Li-ion and beyond Li-ion battery technologies such as metal-air

RFA-050

LEO manufacturing support (additive, advanced materials, thin layer processing)

RFA-049

Laser Communication

RFA-048

Inflammasome role in radiation-associated health impacts

RFA-047

In Situ Monitoring of Additive Manufacturing

RFA-046

Improved Understanding of Solar Microflares using Data Science

RFA-045

High Temperature Batteries:  Includes primary and secondary cells up to 460oC.

RFA-044

High reliability and robustness for safety-critical propulsion systems including but not limited to a) arc fault protection; b) EMI/filtering; c) fault tolerant architectures; d) power management.

RFA-043

High power density power grids, power electronics, motors, and electromechanical powertrains

RFA-042

High capacity anode and high capacity/high voltage cathode

RFA-041

GNSS radio occultation (RO) for PBL

RFA-040

GNC: Mature guidance, navigation, and controls algorithms and hardware applied to small satellites performing inspection and rendezvous maneuvers; perform statistical studies and simulations to formulate damage probability metrics in support of a damage aware control system
– Mature Verification &Validation of GNC algorithms for RPOC capabilities
– Innovative reliable flight-ready low-cost sensors to enable rendezvous and proximity operations

RFA-039

Fuel Cells POC:  Includes proton exchange membrane and alkaline fuel cells.

RFA-038

Formation of molecular clouds

RFA-037

Explore and document the parameters in play in the transition of ethical decision making from humans to autonomous systems

RFA-036

Evaluation space capsule and spacesuit activity in stable and fit lower or upper extremity amputees and compare their responses to non-amputee fit individuals

RFA-035

Electrochemical Sensors:  Includes electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, dielectric spectroscopy.

RFA-034

Earth Science Remote Sensing

RFA-033

Document the Current State-of-the-Art/Practice of Ethical Decision Making by Humans in Operational Systems

RFA-032

Document legal ecosphere of ethical decision making in off-nominal scenarios

RFA-031

Development of Uranium based Fuels for Nuclear Thermal Rocket Propulsion

RFA-030

Development of materials for extreme environments

RFA-029

Development of high-temperature refractory alloys and coatings

RFA-028

Development of Coating Materials for Nuclear Thermal Rocket Applications

RFA-027

Development of Characterization Techniques to Determine Rate and Temperature Dependent Composite Material Properties for the LS-DYNA MAT213 Model

RFA-026

Development of advanced soft magnetic materials for high-power electronic systems

RFA-025

Development and elaboration of Functional aids and testing paradigms to measure activity for use by parastronauts during spaceflight

RFA-024

Design, Development, & Implementation of Highly Automated / Autonomous Systems to abide by ethical decision making policy, standards, guidelines, and laws

RFA-023

Current & projected autonomous performance capabilities and limitations

RFA-022

Compound screening techniques to assess efficacy in modulating responses to radiation exposure

RFA-021

CO2 Reduction: Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to various products including carbon monoxide and ethylene.

RFA-020

Chemical Heat Sources:  High specific enthalpy systems including lithium-sulfur hexafluoride reactors for long-lived heat for planetary and lunar missions

RFA-019

Charting a successful course for field campaigns on behalf of NASA missions, including coordinating and supporting laboratory analysis of field samples (particle absorption, carbon) and data processing and collection and analysis of plankton images using in-flow imaging cytometry.

RFA-018

Beyond Lithium-Ion Cell Chemistries:  Includes fluoride-ion, magnesium-ion, calcium-ion cell chemistries.

RFA-017

Balloon-based remote sensing of geophysical activity on Venus using infrasound

RFA-016

Bacteria, Archaea, and Fungi are capable of altering terrestrial materials as a way to acquire organic carbon and or trace nutrients.

RFA-015

Autonomy and GNC for multi-agent systems including formation flying, and spacecraft swarms

RFA-014

Autonomous System-Level Fault Diagnosis and Mitigation

RFA-013

Astrophysics Research and Analysis, and Technology Development

RFA-012

Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for Small Spacecraft Swarm Trajectory Control

RFA-011

Arctic phytoplankton ecology, ocean color remote sensing and optical properties, particularly the Chukchi Sea.

RFA-010

Application of Machine Learning to LNOx Estimation from Satellite Lightning Mappers

RFA-009

Application of advanced materials and manufacturing to achieve above.

RFA-008

Analytical and methodological pipelines that investigate the stoichiometry, elemental abundances, fluid chemistry and size distribution patterns of entrained particles in order to determine the probability for biological origin.

RFA-007

Analytical and methodological pipelines that investigate organic molecular patterns to identify the source and physicochemical history of naturally occurring suites of compounds and developing metrics that can differentiate between biological and abiotic reaction products.

RFA-006

Alternative materials for magnetized liner z-pinch implosions

RFA-005

Algorithm development for, and applications of, optical/thermal imagery for studying freshwater and coastal regions

RFA-004

Self-Healing/Resilient Multi-Agent Systems

RFA-003

Advanced Primary Battery Cells:  Includes Lithium carbon monofluoride, lithium thionyl chloride, lithium sulfur dioxide, lithium iron sulfide, high temperature cells, ultra-low temperature cells.

RFA-002

Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Cells:  Wide operating temperature, low temperature, high temperature, high specific energy/high energy density cells, specialized electrolytes

RFA-001

Additive manufacturing and additive manufacturing of electronics