Multistage Umbilical Disconnect (MUD) System

Paragon proposes a novel universal umbilical quick disconnect assembly designed to protect against intrusion of lunar regolith and extreme temperature changes on the surface of the Moon and beyond for extended periods of time. The MUD system protects the umbilical internal flow or electrical path from regolith intrusion and thermal flux by utilizing four protection systems: softgoods cover, exterior active protection via vibration/resonance, exterior mechanical protection and interior coupling protection. The protection systems are dissimilar mechanisms which allows for additional mitigation of regolith intrusion and will be designed to be operated with space suit gloves. The MUD quick disconnect assembly is a practical solution to one of the biggest challenges in lunar exploration: regolith intrusion. As Lunar and Martian missions become more complex, the MUD assembly will play a key role in maintaining reliable infrastructure, supporting long-duration operations, and enabling sustained human and robotic presence on other planetary surfaces. Additionally, vibrational resonance removal for regolith could prove to be a very compelling way to mitigate intrusion in areas other than disconnecting hardware such as solar panel, radiators, habitats, optics, sensors, landing zones, sample collection tools, suits, and rovers. With Phase I funding, Paragon will design, test, and prepare analyses of this new technology using low cost materials and manufacturing methods to validate the design concepts with the objective of moving to Phase II and, ultimately, developing an innovative product within the quick disconnecting hardware market. The primary go-to-market strategy for MUD system focuses on securing partnerships with space agencies such as NASA to integrate the technology into lunar and Mars missions. Simultaneously, the products simple mechanical nature makes it easily adapted for industrial markets where contamination resistance is critical such as oil, gas and defense.