Air Squared, Inc. SBIR Phase II Award, May 2023

In order to revisit Venus and explore its climate, atmosphere, and surface for the first time since the 1985 VeGa mission, NASA is interested in developing aerial vehicles capable of in situ investigation. One potential solution is annbsp;aerial platform that must float and fly between 52 and 62 km in the atmosphere while experiencing temperatures ranging from -30deg;C to 62deg;C, pressures from 80 kPA to 18 kPA, solar fluxes as high as 2,300 W/m2, and IR heat flux up to 830 W/m2. Balancing these three selection criteria, JPL identified variable altitude controlled robotic balloons, or aerobots, as an optimized and achievable solution for near-term Venusian in situ atmospheric exploration.nbsp;Of particular interest is the development of an altitude modulation system incorporating a lightweight, high efficiency pump, isolation valves and venting orifices suitable for aerobot use.nbsp;The pump shall have a nominal flow rate of 250 liters per minute at a pressure rise of 30 kPa.nbsp;There will be two prototypes developed during the Phase II effort, an Alpha, and Beta. The Alpha-HTSP (Helium Transfer Scroll Pump) will be developed during year 1 to prove out an optimized scroll technology that is ideal for space applications. This spinning scroll compressor design minimizes mechanical losses, size, weight and power to provide compressed air for challenging applications such as this one.nbsp;After the Alpha-HTSP is built, performance tested and endurance tested, a Beta-HTSP design iteration will begin. This design effort will focus on further optimizing performance while ensuring that the designnbsp;is robust enough for operating in the extreme environment of the Venetian atmosphere. The Beta compressor will be tested in extreme pressure and temperature environments for extended durations to prove its capabilities and durability.nbsp;