Paragon has set a number of records. Click here to read about Paragon’s Firsts. Some of Paragon’s recent projects are described below.
ORION, Lockheed Martin
Vehicle-level systems integration and schematics, plus Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) and Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) modeling, design and technology evaluation.
Paragon Dive Systems, United States Navy
Phase II SBIR to develop a prototype system that provides spacesuit-like isolation, delivering safe breathing air to divers submerged in hazardous material.
Stagnating Radiator Development,
NASA Johnson Space Center
Modeling, manufacturing and testing a breadboard system that simulates components of a radiator system operating in stagnation regimes. Careful design of manifolds and measurement techniques were required to enable collection of quality data in 130K environment. The testing was performed in-house, in Paragon’s Research and Development laboratory.
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.
Structural Radiator, NASA
Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to analyze and develop spacecraft radiator systems that are structural, and designed to withstand primary spacecraft structural launch loads, aerodynamic heating, and extended on-orbit durations.
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.
Solid Oxide Electrolysis, NASA
Phase I & II SBIR to develop an electrolysis system that enables 100% regeneration of oxygen in cabin air.
CO2 Removal in a Portable Life Support System, NASA
Paragon is developing a novel CO2 control technology for space suits (patent pending). The system is applicable on the Moon or Mars. It uniquely couples the thermal and CO2 control subsystems to enable rengeneralbe, CO2 removal to a CO2 environment such as Mars. Further, it does not consume earth-delivered water for cooling and instead, can use consumables readily available on Mars.
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
Supplying pressure control system hardware for test flights, including 2006 launches.
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.
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.
El Dorado Ranch Sustainable Community,
San Felipe Development Company
Developed the master plan for a luxury, mostly off-grid sustainable community in Baja, Mexico. Technologies implemented include: halophyte landscapes; constructed wetlands; straw bale and other regenerative building materials; solar, wind, and tidal power; and, electric vehicles.
Las Fuentes Forest Community, Desert Development Foundation
Planned and designed a 6,000+ acre seawater-based luxury community and mangrove forest on the Mexican coast. The community will utilize halophyte landscaping, as well as seawater plumbing for supplemental kitchen and bathroom use. Planted mangrove-forest parklands will provide microclimate cooling, soil enrichment and carbon sequestration that off-sets the carbon profile of residents.
