NASA Glenn Teams Win 2025 R&D 100 Awards
NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has made significant strides in aerospace innovation, recently garnering two prestigious 2025 R&D 100 Awards. These accolades recognize their groundbreaking work in developing High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking (HDTN), a software protocol that enhances high-speed internet capabilities for space communications, and co-developing VulcanAlloy, an advanced soft magnetic nanocrystalline material designed to withstand extreme temperatures. With this latest achievement, NASA Glenn has now accumulated a remarkable total of 130 R&D 100 Awards, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing technology in the aerospace sector.
The HDTN protocol, spearheaded by engineers Daniel Raible and Rachel Dudukovich, revolutionizes data transmission between Earth and spacecraft by enabling reliable, high-speed communication even in the harsh conditions of space. This innovative system is reported to be up to ten times faster than existing delay-tolerant networking technologies, allowing for seamless data transfer across varying communication speeds. The open-source nature of HDTN not only fosters collaboration within NASA but also invites adoption by the commercial space industry, potentially laying the groundwork for a solar system-wide internet that could support future missions to the Moon and Mars.
In addition to HDTN, NASA Glenn’s collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh and CorePower Magnetics has led to the development of VulcanAlloy, a material that operates efficiently at temperatures exceeding 500°C. This breakthrough is particularly significant for applications in extreme environments, such as those found on Venus, and holds promise for improving the performance of inductors, transformers, and other components in aerospace and defense systems. The material’s adjustable magnetic properties and reduced cooling requirements make it ideal for next-generation power electronics across various sectors, including electric vehicles and data centers. As NASA continues to push the boundaries of technology, these innovations highlight the center’s commitment to enhancing both space exploration and terrestrial applications.
Artistic rendering of the High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking protocol being used on the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration to transfer radio and optical communications between Earth and space.
Credit: NASA
NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has earned
2025 R&D 100 Awards
for developing a system that delivers high-speed internet for space and co-inventing technology for a new class of soft magnetic nanocrystalline materials designed to operate at extreme temperatures. This brings NASA Glenn’s total to 130 R&D 100 Awards.
High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking
NASA Glenn’s Daniel Raible and Rachel Dudukovich led their team of engineers to create
High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking
(HDTN)
,
a cutting-edge software solution designed to revolutionize data streaming and communication in space. HDTN enables reliable, high-speed transmission of data between space and Earth — even under the extreme conditions of space — minimizing loss and system delay.
High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking team photo, left to right: Tad Kollar, Eric Brace, Brian Tomko, José Lombay-González, Nadia Kortas, Daniel Raible, John Nowakowski, Shaun McKeehan, Ethan Schweinsberg, Prash Choksi, and Rachel Dudukovich.
Credit: NASA/Jef Janis
“The HDTN software protocol allows faster, automated, and seamless data transfer between spacecraft, even across communication systems operating on different link speeds,” Raible said. “It’s up to 10 times faster than current delay-tolerant networking (DTN).”
This advanced technology has far-reaching implications beyond NASA. With its open-source code, HDTN paves the way for collaboration, innovation, and adoption across the rapidly expanding commercial space industry, offering near real-time communication capabilities.
Looking ahead, HDTN could form the foundation of a solar system-wide internet, supporting data exchange between Earth, spacecraft, and even future missions involving human travel to the Moon and Mars.
VulcanAlloy
In a project led by the University of Pittsburgh, researchers at NASA Glenn, including Nick Bruno, Grant Feichter, Vladimir Keylin, Alex Leary, and Ron Noebe, partnered with CorePower Magnetics to develop VulcanAlloy — a breakthrough soft magnetic nanocrystalline material.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland tested high-temperature inductors using VulcanAlloy technology in the NASA Glenn Extreme Environments Rig, which simulates the conditions on Venus’ surface, on May 13, 2025.
Credit: NASA
VulcanAlloy, developed under NASA’s High Operating Temperature Technology Program using processing capability established by the Advanced Air Transport Technology project, operates above 500°C, far beyond the limits of conventional soft magnetic materials. Its nano-engineered structure maintains efficiency at high temperatures and frequencies.
With adjustable magnetic properties, it can replace multiple materials in components like inductors, transformers, motors, and sensors while reducing the need for bulky cooling systems — ideal for extreme environments.
Raytheon has tested VulcanAlloy cores, highlighting their potential in electrified aircraft, defense, and aerospace systems.
This innovation also promises major impact in electric vehicles, data centers, microgrids, and energy systems, where smaller, lighter, and more efficient components are key to advancing next-generation power electronics.
The R&D 100 Awards, a worldwide science and innovation competition, received entries from organizations around the world. Now in its 63rd year, this year’s judging panel included industry professionals from across the globe who evaluated breakthrough innovations in technology and science.
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