NASA has announced $1.5 million in funding for academic, non-profit, and business entities to advance cutting-edge technology necessary for the agency’s lunar return mission through the Artemis program and upcoming Mars expeditions. The Dual-Use Technology Development Cooperative Agreement Notices (CANs) have selected 21 organizations to work on 24 projects focused on pioneering innovative solutions. These awardees will receive guidance from propulsion, space transportation, and science experts at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
The funding opportunity aims to support organizations dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial research and innovation while strengthening the commercial space sector. Daniel O’Neil, Manager of NASA Marshall’s Technology Development Dual-Use CAN Program, emphasized that this agreement enables NASA to collaborate with US industry and academia to develop essential technologies required for NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture.
The selected projects cover a wide range of ideas such as utilizing smartphone video guidance sensors for navigating robots on the International Space Station, researching novel battery materials, improving neutrino particle detection capabilities, and using lunar regolith for construction on the Moon’s surface. Leading academic institutions like the Florida Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and the University of Alabama have received funding for multiple projects highlighting their significant role in advancing space exploration technology.
The solicitation cycle for 2024 is now open for applications, encouraging further contributions to drive technological advancements crucial for the future of space exploration.
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