The Apparatus for Nominal Integration with Minimal Adaptations (ANIMA) is a three-part solution designed by Ecoatoms to address NASA’s need to easily integrate varying space payloads onto different flight vehicles. ANIMA comprises an interchangeable plug on the side of the vehicle, a universal connector, and an on-board computer to integrate the different types of payloads to disparate host vehicles. Designed for a variety of customers, ANIMA is a turnkey solution that aims to bridge the hardware integration gap to make space accessible to commercial, government, and academic users of all backgrounds. These flight tests will be key to validating the Ecoatoms technology in a relevant environment to take the system’s technology readiness level (TRL) to TRL 8.

Problem Statement 
Over the last decade, there has been a dramatic increase in rocket launches but limited and slow access to space for users who are focused on research and development. This is due in part to the lack of a universal solution for integrating diverse payloads onto different flight vehicles. This lack of simple integration is slowing access to space and increasing costs. Through its highly adaptable platform, Ecoatoms’ ANIMA aims to increase the speed and ability to get payloads to flight tests while decreasing costs. The technology is designed to eliminate the need for intermediaries or third-party services and enable the user to directly adapt their technology to their desired flight, reducing total costs. 

Technology Maturation
Flight tests aim to validate ANIMA in a space environment and advance the system to TRL 8. Post-flight outcomes are expected to allow Ecoatoms to optimize ANIMA and reach TRL 9. In this way, ANIMA can become a reliable flight-qualified system for future effective mission operations. A successful mission could provide knowledge that would enable ANIMA to become an important technology between the payload and vehicle, enabling fast and cost-effective access to space for users.

- Universal access: Enables users from all backgrounds to engage in space-based R&D - Streamlined process: Eliminates the need for intermediaries or additional services - Cost reduction: Directly adapts technology to flight vehicle, lowering overall flight expenses

Future Customers 
- Academia, industry, and government entities seeking rapid space access 
- Users needing minimal adaptations for payloads on commercial vehicles/stations