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Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a contract from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a smart sensor module (SSM) to enable wireless sensing capabilities in liquid propulsion systems.

The SSM will increase NASA’s capabilities by eliminating labor-intensive tasks such as routing and securing cables. It will also improve sensor accessibility in locations that are difficult to diagnose, and enable advanced computing technologies such as machine learning. The SSM is designed to connect to trusted, flight-qualified, and commercially available sensors without altering the measurement technique.

PSI’s smart, wireless sensor network will have significant applicability to ground testing and flight missions for NASA. Reductions in labor assigned to the design, assembly, and implementation of sensor systems will lead to significant cost savings. Using SSM’s with sensors that have flight heritage reduces the risk of installing the network in existing systems. Wireless sensors allow for diagnostics in previously inaccessible locations and smart sensors enable decentralized decision-making, rendering NASA systems safer. The commercial space industry and DoD can also use the expanded diagnostics and cost savings offered by intelligent sensor networks in their own propulsion systems. Power and energy industries have similar needs for real-time networks of sensors capable of high-acquisition rates. This technology can also be used in aircraft or oil and gas systems that require data from difficult to access areas.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Jeffrey Wegener
Group Leader, Propulsion and Energetics

jwegener@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003