Paragon Projects

Paragon has set a number of records. Click here to read about Paragon’s Firsts.
Some of Paragon’s recent projects are described below.

Commercial Crew Development Program Paragon developed Commercial Crew Transport-Air Revitalization System (CCT-ARS) under NASA’s Commercial Crew Development Program, phase 1. This modular life support system removes CO2, humidity and trace contaminants from cabin air, and provides air circulation and cooling.

ORION, Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) Paragon's primary scope is to design, analyze, and manufacture the tubing for the environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) on the Orion MPCV. We are also supporting the overall Orion vehicle-level schematic, thermal analyses, flight radiator design, and cabin computational fluid dynamics (CFD)/ventilation. Orion-2, the first crewed vehicle, is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) in the late 2015 timeframe.

NASA Constellation Space Suit Paragon is partnered with Oceaneering Space Systems to build the next generation space suit for use aboard the Orion MPCV and for mankind’s return to the Moon. Paragon is leading the thermal design and analysis effort, and is providing key subsystems for the portable life support system.

Excalibur Almaz (EA) Crew Capsule and Service Module EA is developing a commercial vehicle capable of taking passengers and cargo into orbit and eventually further into space. Paragon leads the life support and thermal control system design, manufacture and integration into EA’s Crew Capsule and Service Module.

Small Payload Quick Return (SPQR) This innovative program provides passive thermal control for payload sample return from ISS. Such technology would allow for the SPQR vehicle to return frozen biological samples from ISS to Earth on-demand. This capability would be useful to NASA engineers monitoring the status and health of the ISS life support systems, as well as to science experiments utilizing the microgravity environment of ISS. Paragon has designed and tested the thermal control canister, which uses a super-cooled, non-toxic, non-flammable, phase-change material..

Expandable Structures Paragon has teamed with Thin Red Line Aerospace to mature its Ultra-High Performance Vessel (UHPV), an inflatable habitat for use in space. UHPV has superior performance and reproducibility compared to other inflatable structures.

Contaminant Insensitive Sublimator Paragon supports the Advanced Thermal Systems project onsite at NASA-Johnson Space Center as a subcontractor to Jacobs Sverdrup. As part of this project, Paragon has been performing design, analysis, and testing of the Contaminant Insensitive Sublimator (CIS). The CIS is a compact, lightweight, self-regulating component for rejecting heat in the vacuum of space.

SpaceX COTS Paragon is currently supporting Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) on their COTS vehicle design (Dragon) in the areas of thermal and environmental control. Dragon will provide transportation of cargo and eventually crew to Low Earth Orbit.

FALCON/BLACKSWIFT Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle, Lockheed Martin Skunkworks Integrated thermal modeling and structural analysis of the leading edge and liquid H2 tank, plus thermal protection system and liquid nitrogen environmental control system design. In 2004, Skunkworks named Paragon its Small Business Supplier Of The Year.

Concept Exploration and Refinement, MIT-Draper, Andrews, Lockheed Martin Paragon performed on three CE&R teams. Responsibilities included ECLSS, thermal control, and human factors design and analysis, as well as the Andrews Space CEV mockup design and interior fabrication.

Centennial Challenges, NASA Risk assessment and cost analysis for NASA’s Centennial Challenges program, including the Human Orbital Vehicle, and the Lunar Robotic Lander Challenge.

SPACEHAB Module Environmental Control and Thermal Analysis, SPACEHAB Providing thermal and Environmental Control System analysis of the SPACEHAB Module in support of Shuttle and International Space Station missions. Upgrade and validation of environmental and thermal control computer models, Fixed Grapple Bar and Flight Support Equipment thermal analysis and interface definition.

Phoenix Mission, University of Arizona Program management and engineering support for the University of Arizona’s Phoenix mission to find life on Mars.

Rocketplane Suborbital Vehicle ECLSS and Thermal Systems, Rocketplane Limited Development, test and integration of ECLSS, plus vehicle thermal and structural analysis.

Bigelow Genesis Pressure Control System, Bigelow Aerospace Paragon developed and delivered three flight valve systems:  1) Launch Vent Assembly, 2) Inflation Valve Assembly, and 3) Pressure Relief Valve Assembly.  Hardware was successfully utilized on long-duration orbital test flights launched in 2006 and 2007.

Portable Life Support System, NASA Johnson Space Center Under a Crew, Robotics And Vehicle Equipment contract, Paragon teamed with Oceaneering Space Systems to develop schematics of a Portable Life Support System that will function in microgravity, on the moon and on Mars.

Alternate Access to Station Risk Assessment and ECLSS, Lockheed Martin Wrote risk management plan, identified risks, and established and tracked risk mitigation plans for the development of an unmanned vehicle for cargo re-supply to the International Space Station. Also developed environmental control system design, including active and passive thermal systems.

Life Science Experiments, SPACEHAB Experiment hardware and life support design, production, and integration for three life science experiments (fish, ants, and bees) on STS-107. Designed, tested, integrated, and flew an aquatic habitat to ISS for over 18 months containing 6 animal species (2 months, 12 days from contract signing to flight).

T-Cell Growth System, University of Arizona Paragon has completed biological, vibration and centrifuge testing of its T-Cell Growth System for use on the Shuttle and ISS under subcontract to the University of Arizona for its NASA grant. Designed and built clinostats compatible with existing laboratory equipment.

Airship Transportation System, CargoLifter A project to develop the world's largest airship for cargo transportation: Human interface and human factors design, systems engineering and development of operations, operations department support, cockpit design and simulation development.

Mars Greenhouse Experiment Module, Jet Propulsion Laboratory A sealed plant growth chamber designed for deployment on Mars: Designed the plant growth chamber, including the atmospheric control system. Paragon also developed a molecular-level mass balance and flow model for hydrogen, carbon and oxygen throughout the plants’ life cycles.

Closed Ecological Experiment Facility, Toyo Engineering Gas Control and Analysis system design for the Closed Ecological Experiment Facility (CEEF) in Japan. CEEF is a human-rated regenerative life support system with controlled plant growth chambers and an animal/human habitat.

Automated Heliostat, Desert Development Foundation Designed, developed, installed and tested a heliostat system to grow turf grass in the Phoenix, Bank One Baseball Park.

Seawater Farms Bahia Kino, Seawater Foundation A seawater-based agroforestry project to sequester carbon and grow valuable crops in Sonora, Mexico, using only halophytes. Developed the project's carbon offset methodologies for certification by the United Nations under the Kyoto Protocol. Also developed project documentation for inclusion in the World Bank's BioCarbon Fund.

Seawater Farms Eritrea, Desert Development Foundation Developed carbon offset program for a seawater-based agroforestry project in Eritrea, Africa. Designed, constructed and managed the 2,500-acre saltwater farm and housing community. Developed project master plan, and architectural design for facilities including a 250-acre constructed wetland, a 10,000 sq. ft. feed mill, fueling station, construction office, and mechanical shops and restroom facilities.