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Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM)

NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM) bridges the gap between: need and means; scientific and engineering challenges and the technological innovations needed to overcome them; early proof-of-concept tests; and the final infusion of cost-effective, revolutionary new technologies into NASA, government and commercial space missions.

The Advanced Electric Propulsion System qualification thruster inside one of the vacuum chambers at NASA Glenn’s Electric Propulsion and Power...
The Advanced Electric Propulsion System qualification thruster inside one of the vacuum chambers at NASA Glenn’s Electric Propulsion and Power Laboratory.
Image of the On Space Assembly and Manufacturing-1 (OSAM-1)
Image of the On Space Assembly and Manufacturing-1 (OSAM-1)
Image of the On Space Assembly and Manufacturing-1 (OSAM-1) during a test in February of 2023.
Image of the On Space Assembly and Manufacturing-1 (OSAM-1) during a test in February of 2023.
The OSAM-1 mission will be the first to robotically refuel a spacecraft not designed for servicing: Landsat 7. The mission...
Two scientists in lab coats stand with the OSAM 1 robot with an American Flag on the wall to the left
Preparations continue for the launch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) satellite. On...
Technicians stack the JPSS-2 satellite atop the LOFTID spacecraft inside the Astrotech Space Operations facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Oct. 5, 2022.
Low-Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) on a ship deck after reentry after the demo on November 10,...
Low-Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) on a ship deck after reentry after the demo on November 10, 2022.
Low-Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) during separation on November 10, 2022.
Low-Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) during separation on November 10, 2022.
An artist depiction of Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) in space.
An artist depiction of Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) in space.
An Optical Transceiver Assembly Part of the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC)
An Optical Transceiver Assembly Part of the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC)
Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) is on board to Psyche and ready for launch.
Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) is on board to Psyche and ready for launch.
A prototype 13-kilowatt Hall thruster is tested at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. This prototype demonstrated the technology readiness...
A prototype 13-kilowatt Hall thruster is tested at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. This prototype demonstrated the technology readiness needed for industry to continue the development of high-power solar electric propulsion into a flight-qualified system.
Members of NASA’s Mars 2020 project install the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) into the chassis of NASA’s...
Members of NASA’s Mars 2020 project install the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) into the chassis of NASA’s next Mars rover.
Engineers work during a full mission dress rehearsal for the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD), Friday, May 29, 2015, U.S. Navy...
Preparing Full Mission Dress Rehearsal for Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator
Full mission dress rehearsal for the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD), Friday, May 29, 2015, U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility...
Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator Prepared For Second Flight Test
The Supersonic Disk Sail Parachute, one of the new technologies being developed as part of NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD)...
The Supersonic Disk Sail Parachute, one of the new technologies being developed as part of NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project, floats in the Pacific Ocean after the completion of its first flight test, on June 28, 2014.
150608-N-DT805-281 KAUAI, Hawaii (Jun. 8, 2015) Two members of the U.S. Navy's Mobile Diving Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 Explosive Ordnance...
Two members of the U.S. Navy's Mobile Diving Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 Explosive Ordnance Detachment work on recovering the test vehicle for NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project.
NASA Edge Visits Technology Demonstration Missions eCryo Test Facilities
Chris Giersch, cohost of the agency’s acclaimed video podcast series NASA EDGE, visits eCryo test facilities at NASA’s Glenn Research Center for a segment profiling the TDM project.
On June 3, members of the Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) project completed the fourth hot-fire acceptance test on a...
On June 3, members of the Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) project completed the fourth hot-fire acceptance test on a 1 Newton thruster at Aeroject Rocketdyne’s Facility in Redmond, Washington.
NASA engineers are celebrating National Manufacturing Day by building some of the largest composite rocket parts ever made. Engineers at...
NASA engineers are celebrating National Manufacturing Day by building some of the largest composite rocket parts ever made.
MATERIALS ENGINEER LARRY PELHAM OF NASA’S MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA, OPERATES THE CEUS AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT CYLINDRICAL...
These two NASA robots, with assistance from engineers Iok Wong and Kyle Doyle, are working together to assemble pieces of...
These two NASA robots, with assistance from engineers Iok Wong and Kyle Doyle, are working together to assemble pieces of a truss segment like a big Erector set.
Satellites love hydrazine – a type of space propellant – but it’s toxic to people and extremely difficult to handle....
NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM), set to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
High level overview of Technology Demonstration Missions Portfolio.
NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator, or LOFTID, is demonstrating a cross-cutting aeroshell -- a type of...
The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will fly as a hosted payload aboard a Department of Defense spacecraft as part...
NASA's Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator, or LOFTID, launched Nov. 10, 2022, to demonstrate inflatable heat shield...