NASA has recently distributed nearly $1.5 million in funds to various academic, non-profit, and business groups. These funds are designated to push forward cutting-edge technologies crucial for NASA’s upcoming missions, including the return to the Moon and future trips to Mars.
The Florida Institute of Technology and the University of Florida are among the notable recipients. They, along with Northwestern University and the University of Alabama, have each been awarded funds for two projects. In total, twenty-four projects from twenty-one different organizations have received awards through NASA’s Dual-Use Technology Development Cooperative Agreement Notices (CANs).
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama will offer technical support from experts in propulsion, space transportation, and science to assist the awardees.
Daniel O’Neil, who manages the Technology Development Dual-Use CAN Program at NASA Marshall, explained that this initiative allows NASA to partner with U.S. industries and educational institutions to bridge technological gaps. These partnerships aim to develop essential components and systems for NASA’s ambitious Moon to Mars exploration plans.
The awarded projects are innovative and diverse, ranging from using lunar soil for building on the Moon, to developing new battery materials, and even refining a neutrino particle detector.
The full list of awardees includes universities and organizations from across the United States, such as Auburn University, Northwestern University, and the University of California, among others. These awards are part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the commercial space sector and support the agency’s broader space exploration goals.
NASA has opened applications for the next round of funding, set for the 2024 solicitation cycle.
