# NASA Funds Venus Lander Sensor Development

Sai Swaminathan at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is developing high-temperature sensor systems with AsterTech through NASA’s SBIR/STTR program. The Phase 1 work tests materials intended to operate at 500°C for more than 1,000 hours, with later phases potentially addressing higher temperatures and integration of durable electronics for Venus landers and other space probes. The signal provides no funding amount, award date, solicitation number, or procurement contact information.

- The Phase 1 technical target gives aerospace and instrumentation contractors a concrete performance benchmark for sensor materials intended for extreme-temperature missions.
- Companies developing spaceflight sensors or durable electronics may find the project relevant as an example of NASA SBIR/STTR-supported technology development; later phases are described as possibilities, not confirmed awards.
- Procurement teams evaluating future lander or probe capabilities can note the 500°C, 1,000-hour test objective, while recognizing that no follow-on solicitation or procurement timeline is identified.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

### Vendors
- AsterTech ()

### Key Quotes
> Our goal is to help develop more effective and durable sensors and circuits for lander systems and other space-based probes to gain more knowledge.
> — Sai Swaminathan, Assistant Professor

### Sources
- [Swaminathan seeks to develop sensors for NASA Venus landers | EurekAlert!](https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1147954) - EurekAlert!