NASA has asked industry to submit concept studies on solar electric propulsion vehicle platforms designed to support future deep space exploration missions. A draft broad agency announcement posted Friday on FedBizOpps says the agency seeks study proposals to support the development of concepts and approaches related to the power and propulsion element under the Next Space Technologies […] More

A team composed of NanoRacks, Space Systems Loral and United Launch Alliance has signed an agreement with NASA to examine the feasibility of converting a rocket upper stage into a commercial space habitat. The Ixion Initiative Team will conduct the rocket technology repurposing study under the second phase of NASA’s Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships initiative, SSL said Wednesday. […] More

NASA has asked industry to propose new ideas to address gaps in different technology areas that may impact future space exploration missions. The agency said Friday businesses, universities, nonprofit organizations, inventors and U.S. government organizations outside of NASA can submit five-page white papers for the second cycle of the NASA iTech initiative. The program’s next round will cover the areas of autonomy; […] More

Maria Zuber, vice president of research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and chair of the National Science Board, has joined the board of directors at Textron. She oversees MIT’s Lincoln laboratory and interdisciplinary research facilities as well as the university’s research partnerships with the federal government, Textron said Thursday. Zuber is also the E. A. Griswold professor of geophysics at MIT […] More

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has discussed two initiatives the space agency has launched in an effort to establish the foundation for NASA’s Journey to Mars project and other deep space missions. Bolden wrote in a blog post published Tuesday that NASA established partnerships with private companies to advance research projects in propulsion, habitation systems and […] More

NASA has released a broad agency announcement on an umbrella for partnerships to support the Asteroid Redirect Mission and work to boost technologies, capacities and spaceflight experience for continued human exploration. A presolicitation notice posted Thursday says the space agency wants subsequent awards from the BAA to foster partnerships between U.S. and international partners for commercial, scientific, exploration technology and planetary defense ARM […] More

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Drone World Expo organizers have jointly created a contest meant to foster research into unmanned aerial systems. The Innovative Drone Exploration and Application competition seeks to encourage  partnership between UAS end-user and aerospace communities as well as inform drone users of emerging concepts and technologies, AIAA said Thursday. “I look forward to seeing the dynamic and […] More

Boeing has awarded six small businesses contracts worth a combined $200 million to provide engineering, information technology, software development and mission assurance support services for the International Space Station. S&K Global Solutions, Barrios Technology, ALATEC, Summit Technologies & Solutions, RVMTI JV and All Points Logistics will provide ISS support under the Boeing Engineering and Technical Support Service program, Boeing said […] More

NASA has awarded $100,000 Phase 1 contracts for 13 selected proposals under its Innovative Advanced Concepts program that works to invest in the development of innovative aerospace technologies. The selected Phase 1 projects seek to develop technology for future aerospace missions and address requirements for priority areas that aim to explore beyond low-Earth orbit, Mars and asteroids, NASA said Saturday. […] More

NASA and industry partner Harris Corp. have completed their work to install the Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.-built primary mirrors for the James Webb Space Telescope ahead of its scheduled launch in 2018. The space agency said Thursday Harris installed Webb’s 18 mirrors with the final one in place Wednesday and will also lead integration work and tests […] More

Airbus‘ U.S. subsidiary and Perlan Project sponsor Dennis Tito have opened a new facility at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Nevada to house the volunteer-run project ahead of a summer flight for the Perlan 2 glider. Airbus Group said Dec. 9 the new hangar will accommodate Perlan 2 before it departs for Argentina, where the engineless glider will work to soar toward […] More

Steven Griffin, formerly senior director of operations and business development within Chicago Bridge and Iron’s federal services division, has joined Vencore as a senior vice president and program manager. Vencore said Tuesday Griffin will lead the company’s work to help NASA develop technologies and systems the agency will use to process space launch vehicles, spacecraft and payloads on the […] More