NASA has allocated over $1.5 million in funding to academic, non-profit, and business entities to drive cutting-edge technology that will be crucial for the agency’s lunar return under Artemis and future Mars expeditions. Under NASA’s Dual-Use Technology Development Cooperative Agreement Notices (CANs), 21 organizations will undertake 24 projects aimed at developing innovative solutions. The awardees will also receive guidance from propulsion, space transportation, and science experts at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
The diverse range of projects includes 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 the Florida Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and the University of Alabama have secured funding for multiple projects, demonstrating their critical role in advancing space exploration technology. The funding opportunity aimed to foster entrepreneurial research and innovation to bolster the commercial space sector while serving the objectives of future NASA missions.
The awardees will receive assistance from propulsion, space transportation, and science experts at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre in Huntsville, Alabama. The 2024 solicitation cycle is now open for applications, inviting further contributions to drive technological advancements vital for the future of space exploration.
