U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Spaceworks Engineering (sei) is a company that received a Department of Defense SBIR/STTR grant for a project entitled: A Thrust-Oriented Combined-Cycle Engine for Space Access. The abstract given for this project is as follows: SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI) seeks government support to conduct preliminary development activities toward a unique new combined-cycle propulsion system for use in next-generation missiles, space access vehicles, and hypersonic strike aircraft. Combined-cycle engines advantageously integrate the best aspects of rocket engines and high-speed airbreathing engines and have been shown to offer vehicle-level weight, size, and cost advantages relative to separately installed propulsion alternatives. SEIs highly flexible SCAAT-Engine (Supersonic Core Air Augmented Thrusting - Engine) enables vehicle-optimized operation over a wide range of flight velocities and altitudes. Unlike other combined-cycle engine concepts, the SCAAT-Engine is specifically designed for adequate acceleration over the entire flight regime. For a nominal space access or long-range missile mission, the primary rocket is engaged for the entire flight -- generating a supersonic core flow exhaust stream. The supporting secondary airflow from the inlet and the ramscoops increases the rockets Isp by an average of 15% - 30% when combusted. The result is a small, compact and low cost vehicle configuration. Nominal propellants are LOX/LH2, but hydrocarbon alternatives are also candidate fuels. BENEFIT:SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI) believes that a unique combined-cycle engine concept, if matured according to this research effort, would have several potential customers. If the SCAAT-Engine technology was licensed to a large-scale engine manufacturer, we estimate that hundreds of engines could be produced for the following potential customers: Emerging Commercial Space Access Firms, NASA/Civil Space Applications, Military Space Access Applications, and Military High Speed Missile Applications.

Elysium Space is a unique team of space and funeral experts, combining experience from major NASA space missions and deep-rooted funeral profession knowledge. The company is dedicated to offering awe-inspiring celestial services to the world and celebrate the significance of lives that have been lived with dignity and honor.

Werenbach Watches has designed and engineered a line of luxury watches made from space rocket material. Each watch offers a unique design based on which piece of the rocket the watches are made from.

Astrobotic delivers space robotics technology designed to help space agencies carry out planetary missions. The company's technology is involved in collecting scientific and technical lunar surface data, delivering contract payloads, and organizing media and sponsorship events. It also offers a prototype rover that will transport commercial, government, and scientific payloads to the lunar surface and enable space agencies to conduct space missions. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Moon Express is a privately funded lunar resource company created to establish new avenues for commercial space activities benefitting life on Earth. Commonly referred to as Moon Ex, the company was founded by Dr. Bob Richards, Naveen Jain, and Dr. Barney Pell in August 2010 and officially entered the Google Lunar X Prize Competition (GLXP) in October of that same year. Headquartered in the NASA Ames Research Park in Mountain View, CA, Moon Express combines Silicon Valley lean start-up principles with expertise in aerospace engineering and planetary sciences. Moon Express plans to send a series of low-cost robotic missions to the Moon focused on opening up the resources of the Moon for the benefit of humanity.

Lawrenceville Plasma Physics is a high-tech research and development corporation specializing in applications of plasma physics, including fusion power and intense X-ray sources. The company's lead project is the development of an ecologicaly safe fusion energy generator using a device called the dense plasma focus (DPF) and hydrogen-boron fuel called "Focus Fusion". LPP's technology and peer-reviewed science are guiding the design of this technology for this virutally unlimited source of clean energy that can be significantly cheaper than any other energy sources currently in use.