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NASA ICB 2019 Awards


Invention of the Year Award

Winner: Miniature High-Speed Modulated X-Ray Source (MXS)

Center: GSFC

Link: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/x-ray-technology-opens-new-frontiers-in-space-and-here-on-earth

A tiny technology Gendreau developed to study black holes now has potential as part of a life-saving medical device, thanks to this process of curiosity and discovery. The Miniaturized High-Speed Modulated X-ray Source (MXS) has a diverse array of possible applications stretching far beyond the realm of astrophysics.

Each year, the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board recognizes a technology that has contributed significantly to NASA programs. The board chose MXS as NASA’s 2019 Government Invention of the Year, the first time Goddard has received this recognition since 2002. With its multifaceted uses in medical imaging, materials science, space communication and more, MXS serves as a reminder that NASA’s exploration of space can result in tangible benefits for people on Earth.

Miniature High-Speed Modulated X-Ray Source (MXS)
This miniaturized X-ray source can be modulated in intensity from completely off to full intensity, over 100 keV, in subnanosecond timescales. The high speed switching capability and miniature size make possible many new technologies including X-ray-based communication, compact time resolved X-ray diffraction, novel X-ray fluorescence instruments, low precise dose medical X-rays and more.
Credits: NASA/Goddard/Samantha Kilgore


Software of the Year Award

Winner: UAS Traffic Management Services (UTM)

Center: ARC

Link: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-ames-astrogram-august-2019  

Ames Research Center was selected as Winner for the 2019 NASA Software of the Year (SoY) award for our UAS Traffic Management Services (UTM) software.  The Agency-wide annual SoY competition rewards high-quality, innovative, and robust software using efficient software engineering processes that meet NASA’s stringent safety and reliability standards.  Sponsors of the competition include the NASA Chief Engineer, the NASA Chief Information Officer, and the NASA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance. 

The UAS Traffic Management Services (UTM) software is a novel concept with the goal of enabling small UAS to access low-altitude airspace in a safe, efficient, and fair manner.  The true innovation of UTM is the overall concept embodied within the system architecture.  Traditional Air Traffic Management (ATM) relies on a central body (like the FAA) to manage and control the airspace.  UTM allows for distributed management of the airspace wherein private companies collaborate to maintain a safe and accessible environment.  The UTM Team includes:  Joseph Rios, Irene Skupniewicz Smith, Priya Venkatesen, David Smith, Vijay Baskaran, Sherry Jurcak, Punam Verma, Daniel Mulfinger, Natalie Paremski, Parimal Kopardekar, Marcus Johnson, Jeff Homola, Jaewoo Jung, Tom Prevot, Ron Johnson, Joey Mercer, Arwa Aweiss, Leo Wang, and Lauren Claudatos.