NASA Evaluates New Space Tech for Possible Contracts
Photo: science.nasa.gov
NASA is in the process of evaluating a multitude of new space technologies as part of a multimillion-dollar program to spur innovation, according to a report by Information Week.
NASA is looking at 300 small-business proposals as possible contract awards through its Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
According to NASA, some of the proposals include:
- A low-cost way to send people further into space
- Technologies that can help fulfill NASA’s future space goals to build new spacecraft
- Electronics designs that are hardened for radiation
- Thermal cycling so allowing endurance through extreme temperature and environments for possible explorations of Mars
The agency wants to be able to do more with less resources, thus the interest in proposals for low-cost technology. It has invested $175 million in space-technology advancements, communications systems, a space atomic clock, among others.