NSMMS & CRASTE

2024 NSMMS & CRASTE Call for Abstracts

Abstract Due Date: 6 May 2024

For a printable version of the call for abstracts, please click here

The 2024 NSMMS & CRASTE agenda is currently full. We are still accepting abstracts as alternate (backfill) presentations related to the following sessions:

  • Missiles & Missile Defense
  • Spacecraft Buses, Payloads, & Instrumentation
  • Ground & Flight Test Methodologies
  • Advanced Topics in Additive Manufacturing
  • Range and Ground Operations

    If you are selected as an alternate oral presenter for one of these sessions, you will also have the opportunity to present this same material as a poster. Submissions must be received by 6 May 2024.

    Submit your Abstract Here

    You are invited to participate in the National Space & Missile Materials Symposium (NSMMS) and the Commercial and Government Responsive Access to Space Technology Exchange (CRASTE) to be held 24 - 27 June 2024 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison, WI. These co-located Symposia continue their outstanding legacy in bringing together technologists, users, and decision makers from across the Nation. Discussions involve key technology issues related to space, missiles, hypersonic systems, and a variety of ground-breaking commercial space topics necessary for our country's defense and research and development pursuits.

    NSMMS focuses on aerospace industry needs and most recent advances to enable new capabilities for challenges associated with new and future space and missile systems. A special focus is given to advanced materials technology, manufacturing and producibility, structural applications, concepts and prototype system development, which is crucial to improve performance and reliability of both defense and commercial systems.

    CRASTE brings system integrators and subsystem technology experts together to improve space access capabilities, lowering cost, and increasing responsiveness. Special focus is given to the integration of emerging technologies, including advanced concepts, with space-access architectures to create new markets and improve existing systems for government and commercial users.

    The 2024 forum will have a joint senior level Plenary Session, a variety of technical sessions covering ground-breaking research and technology, an exhibit show and technical poster session, a student grant program which promotes college-level participation in science and technology, a small business forum designed to forge connections between primes & SBIR agencies with small businesses, a work-share and job board program to promote workforce development, and multiple networking events.

    NSMMS & CRASTE attendees will have access to all the technical sessions at both events. These events share significant support from DoD, DOE, FAA, and NASA with an effort to promote the commercial and government space, missile, and space launch communities. Each year, our industry and academic partners help ensure that we focus on the latest advancements and challenges affecting the industry.
    We invite you to submit an abstract that discusses the leading-edge technology or research your organization is working on, as well as engage your organization through exhibiting, sponsoring, or participating in our outreach programs.

    Preparing Your Abstract for Submission

    Please keep the following in mind as you prepare your document(s) for submission:

    • Submitted abstracts must be unclassified and should be no more than 300 words long.
    • Please be sure to include the title of your abstract in the body of the submission (the title does not count against the 300 word count).
    • Do not include images, charts or other graphics in your submission.

    As a reminder, this symposium is restricted to U.S. citizens working for a U.S. company only, therefore submitters must also meet these criteria. Abstracts must be unclassified and may include ITAR or Military Critical information, if they are PASSWORD PROTECTED. Acceptable distribution levels for abstracts include A or C ONLY. It is the responsibility of all authors to ensure the materials they submit and/or present conform to security classification guides, if applicable.

    Though abstract submission is done online, passwords for the password protected documents should be emailed to Sherry Johnson at sjohnson@blue52productions.com. Non-restricted (Distribution A) documents do not need to be password protected. Be sure to include the title of your abstract and the distribution level in the body of the submission (this does not count against the 300 word count). All abstracts should fall into one or more of the described. For questions concerning submission of your abstract, please contact Sherry Johnson at sjohnson@blue52productions.com, 937-554-4671.

    In late February 2024, you will be contacted regarding the status of your acceptance. Please note that selected abstract titles will be included on the website and in the program, which is freely distributed. Therefore, abstract titles must be cleared for public release (Distribution A).

    Final presentations will be due 29 May 2024. Presentations and papers cannot contain proprietary information and may not be more restrictive than Distribution C (Distribution authorized to U.S. Government Agencies and their contractors). Distribution F presentations may be accepted with special permission. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) markings must be adhered to as appropriate. Please note, presentation of an abstract does not waive any applicable registration fees.

    All non-government attendees must have an active DD2345 (Military Critical Certification) at the time of the event to attend. Please make it a priority to check the status of your DD2345. If you do not have one, you should start the process of obtaining one as soon as possible. If yours is expiring prior to the event, start the renewal process right away. The process to obtain or update one has become increasingly complex and processing time is unpredictable.

    Please note that having an active DD2345 certification is mandatory for this event. Please visit the Security Page for more information.

    2024 NSMMS & CRASTE Topic Descriptions:

    This topic area focuses on recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) methods and materials for diverse aerospace applications including structural, thermal management, energy storage, and propulsion components. Some areas of emphasis include:

    • Correlation of processing parameters with materials properties and performance;
    • Integrated computational and materials engineering tools;
    • Refractory metals, super alloys, and fiber reinforced polymer and ceramic composites;
    • Part/process qualification, certification, verification, and validation;
    • Nondestructive inspection and in-situ monitoring with or without machine learning;
    • Case studies in design and development of AM processed components; and
    • In-space manufacturing.

    This topic area focuses on the ground segment and how to reduce costs while improving operability. This includes advanced and/or low-cost range concepts. Abstracts are encouraged, but not limited to include:

    • Data collection technologies;
    • Air & launch traffic control;
    • Sensors for vehicle tracking and characterization;
    • Clean pad concepts;
    • Vertical versus horizontal integration;
    • Innovative ground test methods;
    • Technologies that will reduce cost per launch (or re-entry), turn-around time, and overall life cycle cost;
    • FAA commercial launch license and (experimental) permit process issues;
    • Range utilization of autonomy/automation and/or artificial intelligence to streamline and reduce ground operation costs or timelines; and
    • Developments/initiatives to minimize impact of launch (orbital and sub-orbital) and re-entry on other National Airspace (NAS) users.

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

    This topic covers future and existing transportation systems for cislunar and translunar space, interplanetary, heliosphere, and interstellar space. The emphasis will be on mission need, system description, uniqueness, and roadmap towards developing the capability. Abstracts are encouraged, but not limited to include:

    • Propulsion technology;
    • Energy sources;
    • Navigation and guidance systems;
    • Life support systems;
    • Radiation protection;
    • Communication systems;
    • Orbital mechanics and trajectory planning;
    • Safety and redundancy;
    • Transportation logistics;
    • Cost and budgeting; and
    • Sensors and related technology.

    This topic area encompasses industry and government concepts for future space architectures. A major focus of this area is on the opportunities and challenges to multi-vehicle aggregation to achieve both commercial and DoD missions. Regimes of interest include suborbital and orbital access (land/sea/air launch), in-space (VLEO/LEO/MEO/GEO/XGEO), or any combination. Abstracts are encouraged, but not limited to include:

    • Modularity and interoperability;
    • Potential on-orbit servicing constructs (hub-spoke, distributed);
    • Responsive versus scheduled launch;
    • Economics of space logistics (tech upgrade/repair, on-orbit refueling);
    • The role of emerging technologies on space architectures operations;
    • Value proposition for suborbital demonstration; and
    • Government regulations, practices, and technologies to accelerate adoption of promising space architectures.

    This topic area focuses on the development and utilization of ground and flight test capabilities to support material, component, and system development. The renewed interest in hypersonics, as well as space access has resulted in the identification of gaps in the available test and evaluation infrastructure, as well as work force attrition. The aerospace community has recognized these gaps and invested funding to improve the test capability and capacity supporting flight and space system development. These investments are focused on risk reduction to ensure that technology maturation can be adequately accomplished prior to operational fielding. System component T&E capabilities of interest include seekers, nose tips, leading edges, thermal protection systems, control surfaces, and propulsion systems. Topics covered in this session include test and evaluation capability with respect to:

    • Test and evaluation infrastructure modernization and work force development within DoD, industry, and academia;
    • Simulation of environments to address aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, combined thermostructural, electromagnetic and radiation effects, boundary layer transition, space environments, environmental extremes, and weather encounter; and
    • Ground and flight test and evaluation methodologies including digital engineering, modeling and simulation, test plan development, test fixture design, instrumentation, test diagnostics, and modeling and simulation validation.

    This topic area addresses lessons learned and information gathered from recent flight test experiments on high-altitude balloons, sub-orbital rockets, and other relevant platforms. Abstracts are encouraged, but not limited to include:

    • Commercial and government high altitude/sub-orbital platforms;
    • Lessons learned on test methodology, safety, and mission performance;
    • Capabilities for future test and upgrades;
    • Material research and test results; and
    • NASA and commercial flight opportunities.

    This session addresses expendable strike and reusable hypersonic systems and requirements, materials & process development, and component/concept testing. Airframe topics include leading edges and nose tips, acreage TPS and hot structures, and control surfaces and windows/apertures. Propulsion topics include inlets, throat, injectors, and nozzle for airbreathing systems. Abstracts may cover materials, processing, manufacturing & (re)producibility, non-destructive investigation & quality, and aerothermal-structural concepts: design, analysis & testing.

    This topic covers innovative test methodologies and platforms to mature small-sat and vehicle technologies in flight. 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. Abstracts are encouraged, but not limited to include:

    • Test platform descriptions;
    • Hypersonic testing techniques;
    • Payloads preparation and integration methods;
    • Results from previous flight tests;
    • Payload recovery methods; and
    • Approaches to increase flight cadence.

    This topic area addresses current use and perspectives of IVHM/ISHM as an integral part of space systems. Applications will include, but are not limited to electric, hypersonic, liquid rocket, nuclear, and solid motor propulsion. Abstracts are encouraged, but not limited to include:

    • Additive manufacturing technologies for enabling IVHM/ISHM;
    • Business cases for IVHM/ISHM;
    • Challenges during the IVHM/ISHM process, including requirements definition, design, integration, and test activities;
    • Digital twin;
    • Flight data collection and retrieval methods;
    • Recent IVHM/ISHM application success stories;
    • Sensor suite optimization for enabling IVHM/ISHM including fiber optic and wireless options;
    • Solutions for closing IVHM/ISHM requirement gaps in affordability, performance, reliability, reusability, and safety; and
    • Technology advancement needs to enable future IVHM/ISHM capabilities.

    This topic area is focused on addressing material technology development and transition for tactical, strategic, missile and missile defense applications (to address both ballistic and hypersonic threats). Example topics of interest include:

    • Program and system overviews describing dependence on material technologies;
    • Ground and flight test material evaluations;
    • Innovative manufacturing and producibility advancements;
    • Modeling and simulation validation;
    • Material technologies:
      • Seeker windows (IR/RF)
      • Thermal protection systems
      • Lightning protection and weather effects; and
      • Propulsion device technology.

    This topic area addresses key materials technologies, requirements, novel designs, testing or materials development, and innovations for current and future space payloads, instruments, and mission operations including:

    • Development of structural and thermal applications, contamination and radiation effects, material degradation in the space environment;
    • Flight material applications and testing: nanomaterials, additively manufactured hardware and satellite structures;
    • Lunar and martian mission development (commercial payload services, human landing systems): technology developments in robotics missions, landing and redeployment, space suits, in-situ resource development, environmental qualification;
    • Development of novel SmallSat and CubeSat material applications, instruments, upcoming and completed MISSE-FF payloads and payloads for cost-efficient commercial missions;
    • In-space assembly and servicing of telescopes and satellites, and mission extension;
    • Laser applications, LIDAR, and associated materials testing; and
    • Non-destructive testing techniques.

    This topic includes existing and emerging platforms for sounding rockets, LEO, MEO, GEO, and reentry/ascent to deliver or land payloads and experiments into their desired location. Abstracts are encouraged but not limited to include:

    • Near term capabilities in development for delivering payloads into the desired environment;
    • Responsive launch;
    • Pico/nano systems;
    • Reusable upper stages;
    • Hot structures for entry;
    • Fairing recovery;
    • Lunar;
    • Planetary;
    • Comet & asteroid;
    • Decelerators;
    • Ascent;
    • Unique CONOPS approaches;
    • Emerging methods for disposal of on-orbit assets;
    • Recent or near-term flight test activities;
    • Requirements and understanding of projected payloads, orbits, and capabilities of emerging systems including associated technical challenges and timelines; and
    • Government practices, programs, and technologies which potentially benefit the emerging suborbital and small launch industry.

    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. Cost, safety, and reliability are of primary interest. Abstracts are encouraged, but not limited to include:

    • 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;
    • Associated sensors for severe environments;
    • Increased reliability and public safety; and
    • Safety of crew and other occupants for manned vehicles.

    This topic area addresses launch vehicles and their propulsion systems that improve space access. Areas that emphasize system level advancement, critical materials, and processing technologies are desired. Of particular interest are commercial space development efforts applied to government requirements with a focus on modularity and agility. Additional topics of interest include innovative vehicle concepts and designs, structures and designs, materials and processes, and manufacturing fabrication concepts for:

    • Existing and novel launch vehicles and propulsion technologies (liquids/solids/hybrids/other);
    • Turbopumps/cryogenic/fluid management/propellant tanks;
    • Thermal management/protection systems;
    • Nuclear propulsion and related component technology;
    • LOX/Methane assessments;
    • Rotating detonating engines (RDEs);
    • High-temperature, oxidation-resistant coatings and materials;
    • Long-lifetime, cost-effective, high heat flux materials;
    • Case/binder/insulation concepts; and
    • Reusability and modular design.

    This topic area addresses launch vehicles and their propulsion systems that improve space access. Areas that emphasize system level advancement, critical materials, and processing technologies are desired. Of particular interest are commercial space development efforts applied to government requirements with a focus on modularity and agility. Additional topics of interest include innovative vehicle concepts and designs, structures and designs, materials and processes, and manufacturing fabrication concepts for:

    • Spacecraft coatings (thermal, ESD control);
    • Lightweight space structures and assembly;
    • Existing and novel in-space propulsion technologies (chemical/electrical/nuclear electric/nuclear thermal propulsion);
    • On-orbit fluids management and transfer (tanks/valves/PMD/etc.);
    • Oxygen-compatible cathodes for electric propulsion;
    • Additive manufacturing and digital engineering;
    • High-temperature, oxidation-resistant catalysts, coatings and materials; and
    • Materials compatibility with emerging propellants.

    Password Protecting Your Document

    Abstracts may contain CUI information but MUST BE PASSWORD PROTECTED if they do. Acceptable distribution levels for abstracts include Distribution A or C ONLY. Though abstract submission is done online, passwords for the password-protected documents should be emailed to Sherry Johnson at sjohnson@blue52productions.com. Instructions for password protecting your abstract are below. Non-ITAR documents do not need to be password-protected.

    To password protect a Word document:
    1. Click File.
    2. Under the Info Tab, Click Protect Document.
    3. Click Encrypt with Password.
    4. Enter a strong password when prompted and click OK.
    5. Word will ask you to confirm your password and when completed, you will be returned to the Info page showing the document is protected and requires a password to open.
    6. If you need to decrypt the document, just repeat the process, remove the password when asked.
    To Password Protect a PDF:
    1. Click the File menu again when viewing the open document, followed by Properties and Security.
    2. Click the drop-down menu to the right of Security Method, then select Password Security from the resulting list of options.
    3. A window should appear prompting you for a password. Check the box beside Require a password to open the document and enter your desired password into the corresponding text field. Considering you're sending this password out to others, it's probably best to choose one that you don't use for other services. Recent versions of Adobe will even rate how difficult your password will be to guess, so try to pick a password that gets a strong rating, one that includes a combination of lower-case letters, capitalization, and numbers.
    4. Re-enter password on the pop-up confirmation screen.