This topic area focuses on the development & utilization of ground test facilities to support material technology development. Significant investment is currently being applied to the revitalization of the national test infrastructure. The renewed interest in hypersonics, as well as space access has resulted in the identification of gaps in the available test infrastructure. The Aerospace Community has recognized these gaps and has invested funding to improve the test capability supporting flight and space system material development. These investments are focused on risk reduction to ensure technology maturation is adequately accomplished prior to flight demonstrations and fielding. Topic areas include testing with respect to: hypersonics, aerothermal, airbreathing engines, combined thermostructural effects, electromagnetic & radiation effects, optical, adverse environments, weather encounter, boundary layer transition, and performance in space environments.

This topic area addresses emerging materials innovations at lower TRL level (1-3), encompassing both materials science and process development. Topic areas include next generation materials with improved properties, novel materials processing, manufacturing techniques, and integrated computational materials science.

Next Generation Materials - This area focuses on the development of new materials that provide unique combinations of properties and/or demonstrate property retention in extreme environments. This includes multifunctional materials, ceramics, UHTCs, metal alloys, shape memory alloys, composites, high temperature fiber development, innovative thermal protection materials (ablative and non-ablative), sensor & nanomaterials.

Novel Materials Processing - This area focuses on novel materials processing methods to improve material properties. Special focus areas include electronic, optical, and structural metamaterials, flash sintering and spark plasma sintering (SPS).

Integrated Computational Materials Science - This area focuses on novel approaches to computationally driven materials design, verification of predicted structure/property relationships models to accelerate materials development, and lower materials development costs.

The topic area addresses the use, testing, analysis, and fabrication of materials and structural concepts for single use and reusable hypersonic systems.

Topics include, but are not limited to: manufacturability (quality, rate, size) of refractory composites, affordable/high performance aero-structures, propulsion, tanks, durable and rapid turnaround thermal protection systems, integrated thermal management, hot structures, leading edges, apertures, seals, Integrated System Health Monitoring (ISHM), the use of Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), and applied ground test methods / operations / test facilities. Abstracts on materials and structures are sought that are TRL 4 and above, are planned for flight, have recently flown, or are in trade studies that are enabling affordable hypersonic flight.

The topic area addresses the use, testing, analysis, and fabrication of materials and structural concepts for missiles and missile defense.

This topic area includes materials and material processes that support missile defense, strategic systems, tactical missiles, high energy kinetic projectiles, and re-entry systems for military applications. Abstract topics may include missile material/component performance, properties, analysis, material producibility, affordability, corrosion prevention, and sustainability; ground- and flight-test materials evaluations; weather encounter; and material manufacturing advancements and innovative techniques. Program and system overviews with pertinent materials issues and updates related to current missile programs are also of interest. Focus areas include development and ground/flight testing of missile thermal protection systems, radomes, infrared windows and domes, structural insulators, axial rocket motors and propulsion control system materials, material technologies for novel propulsion systems (excluding propellants), integrated health monitoring, aging and surveillance, and technologies for insensitive munitions.

This topic area addresses key materials technologies, requirements, novel designs, or materials innovations for current and future space missions/operations and planetary exploration for commercial or government customers focusing on materials and environmental effects in space or simulation on the ground. Space operation technology interests include rad hard electronics, advanced processors, next generation storage solutions, communications, optics, optical communication, optical benches, windows, solar arrays, sensors and integrated vehicle health monitoring, and other payload materials. Space exploration technologies for atmospheric entry to landing and surface operation including ablative thermal protection materials will also be addressed. Additional areas of interest include the tools and processes for assessment including computational modeling, ground testing, and actual space environment experimentation (including results from Materials on International Space Station Experiments (MISSE)) and orbital debris. This topic area also includes environmental simulation chambers, radiation effects, and atomic oxygen effects.

This topic area addresses space propulsion critical materials and processing technologies enabling access to space, including single use or reusable crewed and robotic launch and orbital boost systems. Topics of interest include innovative structures and designs, materials and processes, and manufacturing fabrication concepts for launch vehicle and in-space propulsion system structures, propellant tanks, engine systems, solid and liquid rocket boosters, and thermal management/protection systems. Of particular interest this year is commercial space development efforts applied to government requirements and needs with a focus on modularity and agility.

This topic covers innovative test methodologies and platforms such as cube-sat and small-sat testbeds and subsystems. Emphasis will be on the test and demonstration capabilities of test platforms to improve technology readiness levels (TRLs) of systems and components that may be useful to future satellites, launch vehicles, and upper stages such as guidance, communication, and propulsion in relevant environments. We encourage abstracts that look at progress in using this method of test and demonstration to reduce risk and cost for existing small, medium, and heavy lift systems and next generation responsive access to space and sub-orbital systems.

This topic includes existing and emerging platforms for delivering small payloads and experiments into their desired location (high altitude, sub-orbital or orbital environments). This would include concepts for novel use of vehicles such as a flying testbed. We are seeking abstracts with a focus on near term capabilities in development for delivering payloads up to 1000 lbs into the desired environment for less than $5M per launch. This topic area includes requirements and understanding of projected payloads, orbits, and capabilities of emerging systems. Technical challenges and time lines should be addressed where practical. This topic area also includes government practices, programs, and technologies which potentially benefit the emerging sub-orbital and small launch industry.

This topic area focuses on the ground segment and how to reduce costs while improving operability. We encourage abstracts that discuss advanced and/or low-cost range concepts; data collection technologies; air & launch traffic control; clean pad concepts; vertical versus horizontal integration; innovative ground test methods; and other technologies that will reduce cost per launch (or re-entry), turn-around time, and overall life cycle costs. This topic includes FAA commercial launch license and (experimental) permit process issues. Abstracts on range utilization of autonomy/automation and/or artificial intelligence to streamline and reduce ground operation costs or timelines are desired, including space object tracking. Finally, we are seeking abstracts that discuss the developments/initiatives to minimize impact of launch (orbital and sub-orbital) and re-entry on other National Airspace (NAS) users.

This topic area will cover concepts and/or progress in developing low cost (or lower cost) subsystems, systems or architectures that will help increase safety and/or flight rate of launch (orbital and sub-orbital), and future “commercial aircraft like” re-entry. Topics include, but are not limited to, non-toxic propellants/monopropellants, minimization of launch and re-entry noise, improved noise modeling of launch and re-entry operations, subsystem and vehicle integrated health management systems, and associated sensors for severe environments. This topic includes increased reliability and public safety, as well as safety of crew and other occupants for manned vehicles.

This topic seeks abstracts on lessons learned and information gathered from recent flight test experiments on high-altitude balloons and sub-orbital rockets. This includes both commercial and government platforms. Lessons learned may include test conduct, safety, and mission performance. Capabilities for future test and upgrades are also welcome.

This topic area addresses industry and government propulsion development programs that can support future responsive space access needs. The topic includes traditional rocket engines and emerging technologies to develop lower cost propulsion solutions for small (<1k lb), medium (1k - 10k lb), and large (10k+ lb) orbital payloads. Of interest are rocket engines and propulsion technologies that can be used in support of next generation Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV), reusable boost system architectures, low-cost expendable engines (experimental demonstrators and emerging operational systems), inter-planetary propulsion, emerging nuclear technologies, and propellant development. Recommended technology roadmaps and demonstrations are also encouraged.

This topic covers emerging concepts to permit safe, low cost, efficient recovery of on-orbit payloads. Included are reusable upper stages, fairing recovery, and unique CONOPS approaches. Abstracts should discuss mission needs, system description, uniqueness, and roadmap towards developing the capability. Emerging methods for disposal of on-orbit assets are also encouraged. Recent or near-term flight test activities may also be covered in this topic.

Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) / Integrated System Health Monitoring (ISHM) abstracts are being sought for the 2019 NSMMS and CRASTE. This topic area will address current use and perspectives of IVHM/ISHM as an integral part of space systems. Applications will include, but are not limited to, solid motor, liquid rocket, hypersonic, and electric propulsion.

Please consider proposing an abstract which addresses one of the following IVHM/ISHM topics:

• How IVHM/ISHM was used to improve safety, reliability, performance, affordability, and reusability;
• Challenges during the IVHM/ISHM process, including requirements definition, design, integration, and test activities;
• Lessons learned from achieving IVHM/ISHM optimization; and
• Technology advancement needs to enable future IVHM/ISHM capabilities.