Research Focus Areas 02/2024

RFA - ID RFA Description

RFA - 001

New technology development of spacecraft cabin/habitat CO2 removal systems: zeolite-based systems, liquid 

amine-based systems, and cold surface deposition systems utilizing cryocoolers.

RFA - 002

Characterization studies on newly developed CO2 sorbents: metal organic frameworks and ionic liquids, primarily 

focusing on CO2 capacity in relevant environments.

RFA - 003

Addressing Knowledge Gaps in Planetary Protection for Crewed Mars Mission Concepts

RFA - 004 Natural Transport of Contamination on Mars

RFA - 005

Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTC’s) - physical chemistry of high-temperature materials used in 

atmospheric entry, low earth orbit (LEO), and interplanetary travel 

RFA - 006

Thermal Barrier Coatings - physical chemistry of high-temperature materials used in atmospheric entry, low earth 

orbit (LEO), and interplanetary travel.

RFA - 007

Ablative Thermal Protection Systems Performance and Design - physical chemistry of high-temperature materials 

used in atmospheric entry, low earth orbit (LEO), and interplanetary travel

RFA - 008

Re-usable Thermal Protection Systems Performance and Design - physical chemistry of high-temperature 

materials used in atmospheric entry, low earth orbit (LEO), and interplanetary travel

RFA - 009

Experiment deriving the fundamental properties of thermal protection systems - physical chemistry of hightemperature materials used in atmospheric entry, low earth orbit (LEO), and interplanetary travel

RFA - 010

Microstructural Analysis - physical chemistry of high-temperature materials used in atmospheric entry, low earth 

orbit (LEO), and interplanetary travel

RFA - 011

Gas-Surface (heterogeneous) Interactions - physical chemistry of high-temperature materials used in atmospheric 

entry, low earth orbit (LEO), and interplanetary travel

RFA - 012

Gas-Gas Interactions - physical chemistry of high-temperature materials used in atmospheric entry, low earth orbit 

(LEO), and interplanetary travel

RFA - 013 Ablation and decomposition of meteorite materials during atmospheric entry. 

RFA - 014 Thermal decomposition and pyrolysis of polymers and polymer composites materials. 

RFA - 015 Simulation of orbital debris demise. 

RFA - 016

Nitrogen/Methane Plasma Experiments Relevant to Titan Entry

RFA - 017 Predictive Modeling of Plasma Physics Relevant to High Enthalpy Facilities

RFA - 018 Thermostructural & Mechanical Properties of Ablative TPS Materials

RFA - 019

ICAN-C-Obscured Vision Enhancement

RFA - 020 Lox Methane HS Video Analysis 

RFA - 021 Motion Mag in the Dark

RFA - 022 Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection Using Computer Vision

RFA - 023 EDL Precision Landing

RFA - 024

Development of Coating Materials for Nuclear Thermal Rocket Applications

RFA - 025 Development of Uranium based Fuels for Nuclear Thermal Rocket Propulsion

RFA - 026 In Space Transportation

RFA - 027

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.
Research Focus Areas 02/2024

RFA - 028 Development of an algorithm to invert 3D capacitance data to estimate 3D dielectric profile

RFA - 029

Development of Characterization Techniques to Determine Rate and Temperature Dependent Composite Material 

Properties for the LS-DYNA MAT213 Model

RFA - 030

Formation of molecular clouds

RFA - 031 Molecular clouds and star formation

RFA - 032 The dense, warm interstellar medium

RFA - 033

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 - 034

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 - 035

Additive manufacturing and additive manufacturing of electronics

RFA - 036 LEO manufacturing support (additive, advanced materials, thin layer processing)

RFA - 037 Lunar manufacturing of solar cells and sensors

RFA - 038 Materials development for additive manufacturing

RFA - 039 Semiconductor Manufacturing in Microgravity

RFA - 040

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

and SoHO/MDI 

RFA - 041 Improved Understanding of Solar Microflares using Data Science

RFA - 042

Electric motor technologies appropriate for eVTOL with high torque density and, concurrently, such motors being 

free of partial discharge and having a continuous power rating in the range 50 – 400 kW.

RFA - 043

High reliability, robustness, and fault-tolerance for inverter-motor systems as needed for safety-critical eVTOL 

propulsion.

RFA - 044

Lubrication and cooling technologies specifically optimized for long life and highly efficient eVTOL motors, 

including interest in single-fluid approaches for inverters, motors, and gearboxes.

RFA - 045

Modeling, analysis, and development support, including potential field data, for Venus related seismometer

RFA - 046 Seismometry to meteorology and other science measurement preparation

RFA - 047

Thermal Management Systems

RFA - 048 Surface Systems 

RFA - 049

In Situ Monitoring of Additive Manufacturing

RFA - 050 Nondestructive Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing

RFA - 051 Transfer Function of Nondestructive Evaluation Response of Cracks and Notches

RFA - 052

High-Temperature Subsystems and Components for Long-Duration (months) Surface Operations

RFA - 053 Aerial Platforms for Missions to Measure Atmospheric Chemical and Physical Properties

RFA - 054 In-situ Astrobiology Instruments 

RFA - 055 Lunar surface navigation using AI-assisted feature identification

RFA - 056

Using Multispectral Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs) for Ground Detection & Characterization of Lunar Micro 

Cold Traps

RFA - 057 High-Resolution 3D Mapping of Lunar Shadowed Regions Using Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs)
Research Focus Areas 02/2024

RFA - 058

Study the deployment of Large Language Models (LLMs) for Systems Engineering and Project Management at 

NASA

RFA - 059

Applied AI Ethics

RFA - 060 Scaled Video ML Object Detection and Alerts

RFA - 061 Trash Processing – Recycling and Resources Extraction from Space Logistical Waste

RFA - 062

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 - 063

High-Temperature Subsystems and Components for Long-Duration (months) Surface Operations

RFA - 064 Aerial Platforms for Missions to Measure Atmospheric Chemical and Physical Properties

RFA - 065 In-situ Astrobiology Instruments 

RFA - 066

Addressing Orbital Debris: Control the long-term growth of debris population 

RFA - 067 Small Satellite Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Capture

RFA - 068

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

RFA - 069

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 - 070

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 - 071 Phytoplankton pigments and derivation of phytoplankton composition

RFA - 072

Spearheading big data analysis using satellite ocean color remote sensing products and field measurements, and 

create and validate bio-optical algorithms. 

RFA - 073

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

sensing.

RFA - 074 IceSAT 2 applications 

RFA - 075

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

RFA - 076 Development of high-temperature refractory alloys and coating systems

RFA - 077 Development of materials for extreme environments

RFA - 078

Development of materials and test techniques for hydrogen compatibility (with application to hydrogen-fueled 

turbines)

RFA - 079

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

regions

RFA - 080 Multifunctional Structural Materials for Extreme Space Environments 

RFA - 081 Astrophysics Research and Technology Development Program

RFA - 082 Mineralogy, geochemistry, and water-rock interactions

RFA - 083

Improve Thermal Performance of Sorbent and Catallytic Systems: Develop high thermal conductivity adsorbent 

materials, such as zeolite, for removing contaminants (e.g., carbon dioxide and humidity) in space missions. 

Design custom thermoelectric devices and systems for use in spacecraft life support adsorbent beds.
Research Focus Areas 02/2024

RFA - 084

Utilizing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Approaches: Conduct literature search surveys for spacecraft 

life support technologies using AI/ML; Employ AI/ML for crew use during Earth-independent operations.

RFA - 085

Develop High Thermal Conductivity Polymer Adsorbent Materials: Focus on materials that do not emit Volatile 

Organic Compounds.

RFA - 086 Development of Odor Detection Sensors: Create sensors specifically for use in space missions.

RFA - 087

Develop Microfluidic Systems for Chemical Processes in Space Missions: Facilitate gas and liquid mass transfer; 

separate miscible and immiscible liquids; and process corrosive liquids; and remove contaminants for the liquid or 

air streams.

RFA - 088 Multiscale Modeling of Heterogeneous Materials with NASMAT

RFA - 089

Fundamental Physics

RFA - 090 Soft Matter Physics

RFA - 091

Quantum Optics

RFA - 092 Quantum Clock Synchronization

RFA - 093 Deep Learning and Neural Networks for Optical Communications

RFA - 094 Orbital Angular Momentum for Space Communications

RFA - 095 Low Cost Space Optical Communications

RFA - 096 Quantum Characterizations of classical optical communications links

RFA - 097 Novel QKD+Chaotic Communications

RFA - 098 Quantum Computing as a Service

RFA - 099

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

device applications. 

RFA - 100

AI/ML algorithms to obtain and improve 3-dimensional remote sensing of the Earth’s aerosols, clouds, oceans 

and lands using combined lidar and polarimeter data, such as from the PARASOL/POLDER-3 polarimeter and the 

CALIOP/CALIPSO lidar, and the upcoming observations from the NASA PACE SPEXone and HARP2 

polarimeters and the EarthCARE ATLID lidar.

RFA - 101

Zero Trust, Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture, and Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Realtime Cyber Defense

RFA - 102

Verification of AI/ML algorithms for Spacecraft

RFA - 103 Augmenting and Analyzing Requirements with Natural Language Processors

RFA - 104

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

RFA - 105 Thermal Batteries: Includes new cell chemistries and spacecraft applications. 

RFA - 106 Wide operating temperature Li-ion batteries (+120oC to -30oC) for lunar surface missions

RFA - 107

High capacity anode and high capacity/high voltage cathode

RFA - 108 Li-ion and beyond Li-ion battery technologies such as metal-air

RFA - 109 Battery technology enabling low/ultra-low temperature performance or efficient thermal management 

RFA - 110 Solid-state electrolytes including polymer/composite polymer electrolyte

RFA - 111 Whole atmospheric analysis and separation for multiphase samples (gases, liquids, particulates, aerosols, etc.)

RFA - 112

Tissue and Data sharing for space radiation risk and mitigation strategies

RFA - 113 Self healing metals in space environments

RFA - 114 An autonomous method of structural repair of spacecraft
Research Focus Areas 02/2024

RFA - 115 Photogrammetric methods to measure dynamic motions of structures and validate dynamic models

RFA - 116 Structural health monitoring and damage detection algorithms

RFA - 117 CO2 capture

RFA - 118 CO2 removal 

RFA - 119 CO2 utilization

RFA - 120 CO2 conversion to value-added products

RFA - 121 High specific energy cells (>250 Wh/kg) with extreme temperature range capability from -60 to +100 °C

RFA - 122 High-rate cells (>20C discharge capable) with high specific energy (>250 Wh/kg)

RFA - 123 Crew-worn restraints and mobility aids for microgravity spacecraft cabin environments

RFA - 124 Crew quarters internal architectures compatible with both microgravity and fractional gravity domains

RFA - 125 Repair, Manufacturing, And Fabrication (RMAF) Facility for the Common Habitat Architecture

RFA - 126 Phytoplankton Biodiversity of Inland Waters (South Africa – NASA BioSCape Project)

RFA- 127

Development of Characterization Techniques to Determine Rate and Temperature Dependent Composite Material 

Properties for the LS-DYNA MAT213 Model

RFA-128

AI/ML algorithms to obtain and improve 3-dimentional remote sensing of the Earth’s aerosols, clouds, oceans and 

lands using advanced lidar and polarimeter data

RFA - 129 Inorganic Solid-electrolytes Processing and Scale-Up

RFA - 130

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 - 131

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 - 132

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 - 133

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 - 134

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 - 135 In-space joining: enabling technology for the space economy

RFA - 136

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

RFA - 137 Balloon-based remote sensing of geophysical activity on Venus using infrasound

RFA - 138 Fluid Physics 

RFA - 139 Combustion Science 

RFA - 140 Materials Science 

RFA - 141

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

trace nutrients. 

RFA - 142 GNSS radio occultation (RO) for PBL

RFA - 143

Earth Science Remote Sensing

RFA - 144 Remote Sensing of Land Use/Cover Changes, Vegetation (forestry, agriculture), Fires
Research Focus Areas 02/2024

RFA - 145 Advanced Manufacturing

RFA - 146

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

RFA - 147

Uses of generative AI to dynamically create Photo realistic 3D content in real-time for use in XR applications

RFA - 148 Use of a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system as a novel computer interface

RFA - 149

Cognitive State Determination System to Support Training, Education, and Real-Time Operations in an XR 

environment

RFA - 150 Automatic XR friendly procedure creation using videos

RFA - 151 Video based mocap system

RFA - 152 Cryo Fluid Management

RFA - 153 Collaborative platforms for capturing data analytics workflows

RFA - 154 Development and Thermal/Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Polymer Composites

RFA - 155 Lunar and Martian Sustainability of Additively Manufactured Materials

RFA - 156 Development of thermoelectric devices for aerospace applications.

RFA - 157

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

of solar powered spacecraft

RFA - 158 Clean Energy and Emissions Technologies

RFA - 159 U.S. Climate Change Research Program 

RFA - 160 Space Power & Energy Storage

RFA - 161 Pilot studies to adopt terrestrial precision health solutions for astronauts

RFA - 162

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

risks

RFA - 163 Application of Machine Learning to LNOx Estimation from Satellite Lightning Mappers 

RFA - 164 Autonomy and GNC for multi-agent systems including formation flying, and spacecraft swarms

RFA - 165

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Methods for Distributed Planning, Scheduling, and Execution 

Robust to Communication Delays

RFA - 166 Multiscale Modeling of Heterogeneous Materials with NASMAT

RFA - 167 Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL)

RFA - 168 Entry, Descent, and Landing

RFA - 169 Sensors and Instruments

RFA - 170 Flight Vehicle Systems

RFA - 171 Guidance, Navigation, & Control

RFA - 172 Impacts of human activity on coastal physical, geomorphological and ecological variability

RFA - 173

Sea level rise, coastal erosion/retreat, ocean acidification, and salt-water intrusion, and their impacts on 

ecosystems

RFA - 174 Linkages between aquatic dynamics and land subsidence and its impacts on aquatic ecosystems

RFA - 175

The role of urban development on land subsidence and aquatic ecosystems; biophysical coupling and feedbacks 

within the aquatic-land interface

RFA - 176

Impacts of hazards related to climate extremes, such as storms, wildfires, and heat waves, on biogeophysical and 

ecological aspects of the coast

RFA - 177 Impacts of upstream activities on coastal communities

RFA - 178

Integration of existing and upcoming observational and modeling assets into a conceptual or (better) digital 

aquatic-land framework that enables the dynamical coupling of key processes within the aquatic-land interface

RFA - 179

Exposure and vulnerability to geohazards (e.g., infrastructure and flooding, landslides, etc.), land cover/use 

change and their impacts on water and marine ecosystems
Research Focus Areas 02/2024

RFA - 180 Characterizing and predicting the presence and impacts of marine debris in coastal ecosystems

RFA - 181 Effects of sea ice melting, permafrost thaw, and warming on coastal Arctic ecosystems 

RFA - 182

Modelling assessments of carbon dioxide removal strategies in coastal ecosystems – feasibility, uncertainties, and 

risks

RFA - 183 Fisheries health and the role of harmful algal blooms in coastal communities 

RFA - 184

Partial analogs on Earth for icy ocean worlds in our solar system (ice/ocean interactions, sea ice algae, and 

extreme pressure environments)

RFA - 185 The role of coastal biodiversity in coastal resilience

RFA - 186 Elastocaloric/ magnetocaloric materials and system development

RFA - 187 Additive manufacturing of shape memory alloys

RFA - 188 Dust Mitigation