July 25 (UPI) — NASA has chosen 11 companies to join forces on space technology initiatives aimed at supporting the forthcoming Artemis mission, which aims to send humans back to the moon.
“The technologies range from lunar surface power systems to tools for in-space 3D printing, which will expand industry capabilities for a sustained human presence on the moon through Artemis, as well as other NASA, government, and commercial missions,” NASA stated in a statement on Monday.
“By collaborating with the commercial space industry, NASA can leverage American innovation and ingenuity,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
NASA will allocate $150 million for these projects, with each company responsible for 10% to 25% of the funding based on their size.
“Our partnership with industry could serve as a cornerstone for humanity’s return to the Moon through Artemis,” said Dr. Prasun Desai of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
Pittsburg-based Astrobiotic Technoloy received $34.6 million to demonstrate tethered, scalable lunar power technology, which could contribute to power distribution on the moon’s surface.
Denver-based Big Metal Additive secured $5.4 million to assist in the creation and enhancement of space habitat structures.
Washington-based Blue Origin was granted $34.7 million for in-situ resource utilization-based power on the moon. This technology has the potential to enable the production of solar panels and other power sources using available lunar resources.
California-based Freedom Photonics obtained $1.6 million for the development of a highly efficient watt-class direct diode lidar for remote sensing equipment. This technology could aid in the detection of methane in Earth’s atmosphere.
Florida-based Redwire received $12.9 million for infrastructure manufacturing with lunar regolith. The technology aims to convert lunar regolith into components for various structures.
Pennsylvania-based Protoinnovations secured $6.2 million for the development of software architecture that enables sustainable, safe, efficient, and effective lunar surface mobility operations.
Colorado-based Lockheed Martin gained $9.1 million for participating in space demonstrations.
Virgina-based Psionic was granted $3.2 million for the advancement of no-light lunar landing technology, which reduces risk, size, weight, power, and cost.
Colorado-based United Launch Alliance secured $25 million for the Vulcan engine reuse scale hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator technology demonstration. This technology could enable the retrieval and reuse of spacecraft components from space.
California-based Verda Space Industries obtained $1.9 million for the transfer and commercial production of conformal phenolic impregnated carbon ablator tech.
Washington-based Zeno Power Systems received $15 million for the development of a universal americium 241 radioisotope power supply for Artemis.
NASA’s Space Technology Directorate will provide additional funding based on project milestones over the next four years.
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