Pressure Sensors for Glenn Extreme Environment Rig and Planetary Science Applications

In-situ instrumentation is needed that can withstand the harsh environments imposed by planetary atmospheres in order to make advancements in solar system exploration. Technologies that can withstand the corrosive/caustic gases, radiation levels, stresses, and high temperatures and pressures, while still producing reliable, real-time data are a major facilitator for planetary missions. To address this need, Sporian is developing a harsh environment pressure sensor targeted toward the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER) and future Venus probe spacecraft. The proposed technology will be beneficial to NASArsquo;s planetary science mission by facilitating, environmental chamber testing/validation, and pressure measurements in the Venus atmosphere and on the surface. The Phase I effort focused on heavily leveraging prior harsh environment, in-situ instrumentation development and, with input from current/prior NASA partners, successfully constructing and characterizing prototype sensor suites.nbsp; Phase II efforts will include: continuing to work with stakeholders to guide technology development; developing processes and design required to realize next generation sensors; multiple generations of prototyping; and application environment relevant testing.