NASA has recently announced the allocation of close to $1.5m in funding to academic, non-profit, and business entities to support cutting-edge technology for its upcoming lunar return under the Artemis program and future Mars expeditions. Through NASA’s Dual-Use Technology Development Cooperative Agreement Notices (CANs), 21 organizations will undertake 24 projects aimed at developing innovative solutions. The awardees will receive guidance from experts in propulsion, space transportation, and science at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
One of the key objectives of this funding opportunity is to foster entrepreneurial research and innovation to boost the commercial space sector while serving the needs of future NASA missions. Among the diverse array of projects are proposals for utilizing lunar regolith for construction on the Moon’s surface, employing smartphone video guidance sensors to navigate robots on the International Space Station, exploring novel battery materials, and enhancing neutrino particle detection capabilities. Leading academic institutions such as Florida Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and the University of Alabama have secured funding for multiple projects, showcasing their critical role in advancing space exploration technology.
The 2024 solicitation cycle is now open for applications from organizations looking to contribute to technological advancements vital for the future of space exploration. As NASA continues its mission to explore beyond Earth’s boundaries and push the boundaries of what is possible, collaboration with industry and academia is essential in developing necessary technologies that will enable us to reach new heights in space travel.
