Image: NASA
NASA has announced new partnerships with six U.S. companies to develop technologies related to space exploration. The accepted proposals cover three strategic technology focus areas: Expand Utilization of Space, Enable Efficient and Safe Transportation Into and Through Space, and Increase Access to Planetary Surfaces. Altogether, NASA will be awarding approximately $44 million dollars to the selected companies over the next 36 months.
“These awards focus on technology collaborations with the commercial space sector that leverage emerging markets and capabilities to meet NASA’s exploration goals,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “While these key technologies will support NASA’s science and human exploration missions in the future, these awards are yet another example of NASA’s commitment to our nation’s growing commercial space industry today.” The companies that will be partnering with NASA are Blue Origin, Space Systems/Loral, United Launch Alliance, Frontier Aerospace Corporation, Paragon Space Development Corporation and Astrobotic Technology.
The proposals were selected from submissions to NASA’s third “Tipping Point Technologies” solicitation. According to NASA, “a technology is considered at a ‘tipping point’ if investment in a ground or flight demonstration will result in significantly maturing the technology and improving the company’s ability to bring it to market.” In addition to the money provided by NASA, companies are required to contribute a minimum of 25 percent of the total costs for their projects.
