Jay Clemens
NASA has chosen 21 innovation proposals from 41 U.S. small businesses and research institutions that aim to help the space agency develop adaptive space robotic technologies and other exploration systems.
The selectees will have an opportunity to enter negotiations with NASA for phase 2 contracts under the Small Business Technology Transfer program, with each contract valued at up to $750,000 over a two-year performance period, the agency said Friday.
Click here to view NASA’s full list of STTR Phase II selectees.
“These selected proposals demonstrate the creativity of American entrepreneurs and, along with our other technology investments, will contribute to ensuring the U.S. remains a leader in technology development and space exploration,†said Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator for NASA’s space technology mission directorate.
One of the proposals seeks to study the use of a fuel grain as propellant for CubeSats and NanoSats, previously conceptualized and tested during the program’s first phase.
Another study aims to combine current CubeSat technology with three-dimensional printing technology and an in-situ resource utilization water extraction system to sustain space exploration.
Phase 2 projects will build on the outcomes of research efforts completed under the first phase of the STTR program.
The program is managed by NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.
