NASA has selected 22 US-based private companies to mature technology for robotic and human exploration of the solar system.
In a bid to advance the agency’s robotic and human space explorations plan and develop tipping point space technologies, NASA has partnered with the companies.
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A technology is considered at the tipping point if the investment will result in maturation of the technology and it can be used in space applications. It should also show an improvement in successfully bringing the technology to market.
Under tipping point criteria, Nasa selected nine projects, including robotic in-space manufacturing and assembly of spacecraft and space structures, low size, weight and power (swap) instruments for remote sensing applications, small spacecraft attitude determination and control (adc) sensors and actuators, as well as small spacecraft propulsion systems.
For undertaking those projects, the space agency chose Orbital ATK, Made in Space, Systems Loral, Geo Optics, Freedom Photonics, Blue Canyon Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Tethers Unlimited and Aerojet Rocketdyne.
The other 13 companies were selected for conducting other technological projects under the initiative called ‘Utilising Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies’.
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By GlobalDataThe project includes nanosatellite and suborbital reusable launch systems development, thermal protection system materials and systems development, green propellant thruster technology qualification and small, affordable, high performance liquid rocket engine development project.
The companies selected under that category are Generation Orbit Launch Services, Virgin Galactic, UP Aerospace, Generation Orbit Launch Services, Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, T.E.A.M, Boeing, Busek, Orbital ATK, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Garvey Spacecraft, Dynetics and Exquadrum.
Nasa Space Technology Mission Directorate associate administrator Steve Jurczyk said: "These awards enable us to continue to foster partnerships with the commercial space sector that not only leverage capabilities to meet NASA’s strategic goals, but also focus on US industry markets that are at a tipping point for commercialisation and infusion.
"At Nasa, technology drives exploration and partnering with the private sector in this way supports the innovation economy and creates jobs."
