Startups with bold ideas about bolstering space exploration, but who need that little extra kick to get their concepts across the finishing line should be on the lookout, as NASA has funding and partnerships of up to $200 million up for grabs.
Kennedy Space Centre, Florida; NASA. Credit: Hasbul Aerial Stock / Shutterstock
The Kennedy Space Centre is NASA's main hub for human spaceflight. Credit: Hasbul Aerial Stock / Shutterstock
Through its "Tipping Point" programme, the US space agency is looking to support space technologies that can enable the commercial future for space exploration, or aid in future manned or unmanned missions.
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Applicants will be offered the chance to work with industry experts or use NASA facilities to complete their work through a separate collaboration announcement.
The scheme could also present a golden opportunity for smaller businesses, with the funding lowering the barrier for tech development.
"NASA's investment and support at this pivotal stage in development can be the key to ultimately bringing new technologies to market", said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
"Public-private partnerships established through these opportunities will combine agency resources with industry contributions, a benefit that will unlock new ideas to advance how we live and work in space while providing greater value to the American people".
The new programme specifically focuses on space infrastructure, primarily regarding the Moon or near-Earth space, including power generation on the Moon's surface, use of lunar resources or autonomous construction under the Artemis programme.
Also under consideration are projects in the Earth's orbit, such as climate monitoring or in-space manufacturing.
"Forging strong partnerships with the commercial space economy is critical for driving our nation's space exploration further and faster", Jim Reuter, the associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) said in a statement.
Since the Tipping Point project was unveiled in 2015, more than 50 firms have been allocated funding totalling roughly half a billion dollars. These include Maxar's Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robot onboard NASA's Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing Mission-1 and Tethers Unlimited mission to use liquid water as fuel in space.
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The deadline to submit initial proposals is March 31, 2022.
- More information about the tech investment is available on NASA's website.
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