NASA Gives $20 Million to Small Businesses to Solve Space Challenges

NASA Gives $20 Million to Small Businesses to Solve Space Challenges

NASA has picked 6 US-based small businesses to address two challenges in space exploration: orbital debris and surface dust

NASA has picked 6 US-based small businesses to address two challenges in space exploration: orbital debris and surface dust

These small businesses will get nearly $20M to produce prototypes to be demonstrated or used in spaceflight

These small businesses will get nearly $20M to produce prototypes to be demonstrated or used in spaceflight

Orbital debris is created by non-functional satellites, and fragments of launched materials, which increase costs by forcing spacecraft to manoeuvre around debris and threaten the safety of astronauts and satellites

Orbital debris is created by non-functional satellites, and fragments of launched materials, which increase costs by forcing spacecraft to manoeuvre around debris and threaten the safety of astronauts and satellites

The universe is a very dusty place. Surface dust consists of tiny particles of solid material floating around in the space between the stars

The universe is a very dusty place. Surface dust consists of tiny particles of solid material floating around in the space between the stars

Here are the 6 small businesses picked by NASA:

Here are the 6 small businesses picked by NASA:

Busek

Busek

It will develop improved propulsive impulse capability and autonomous de-orbit functionality for small satellites using a non-toxic propellant

It will develop improved propulsive impulse capability and autonomous de-orbit functionality for small satellites using a non-toxic propellant

CU Aerospace

CU Aerospace

It will develop its thruster for small satellite applications, allowing a debris capture mission to make multiple trips, dropping off multiple payloads within a 5-year timespan

It will develop its thruster for small satellite applications, allowing a debris capture mission to make multiple trips, dropping off multiple payloads within a 5-year timespan

Flight Works

It will transition its technology with built-in refuelling capability to rendezvous and proximity operations for active debris removal and space object retrieval

It will transition its technology with built-in refuelling capability to rendezvous and proximity operations for active debris removal and space object retrieval

Vestigo Aerospace

Vestigo Aerospace

The company will demonstrate their Spinnaker drag sails, integrated with a host vehicle using a simple bolt-on mechanical interface and a single electrical connection, to validate reliable deployment up to after five years in orbit

Applied Material Systems Engineering, Inc.

Applied Material Systems Engineering, Inc.

The company will demonstrate, through simulated space environments, the insertion of its dust-shedding coating technology, which has cross-cutting commercial applications

The company will demonstrate, through simulated space environments, the insertion of its dust-shedding coating technology, which has cross-cutting commercial applications

ATSP Innovations

ATSP Innovations

The company will fabricate a prototype of bearing material solutions to meet the demanding conditions of extreme temperatures, pressures, and dust environments on the surface of planetary bodies, moons, asteroids, and comets

The company will fabricate a prototype of bearing material solutions to meet the demanding conditions of extreme temperatures, pressures, and dust environments on the surface of planetary bodies, moons, asteroids, and comets

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