NASA has chosen 12 Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) to develop technology related to advanced propulsion, habitation and small satellites, according to a press release from the agency.
The public-private partnerships will allow space exploration to reach the sophisticated levels required to propel commercial projects in space and human exploration to deep space enabling projects like the proving ground of space around the moon, known as cis-lunar space, and Mars.
"Commercial partners were selected for their technical ability to mature key technologies and their commitment to the potential applications both for government and private sector uses," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations at NASA Headquarters, according to the statement. "This work ultimately will inform the strategy to move human presence further into the solar system."
From the press release:
"The three NextSTEP advanced propulsion projects, $400,000 to $3.5 million per year per award, will have no more than a three-year performance period focused on ground testing efforts. The selected companies are:
Ad Astra Rocket Company of Webster, Texas
Aeroject Rocketdyne Inc. of Redmond, Washington
MSNW LLC of Redmond, Washington"
"The seven NextSTEP habitat projects will have initial performance periods of up to 12 months, at a value of $400,000 to $1 million for the study and development efforts, and the potential for follow-on phases to be defined during the initial phase. The selected companies are:
Bigelow Aerospace LLC of North Las Vegas, Nevada
The Boeing Company of Pasadena, Texas
Dynetics Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama
Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International of Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company of Denver, Colorado
Orbital ATK of Dulles, Virgina
Orbital Technologies Corporation of Madison, Wisconsin"
"EM-1 will provide a rare opportunity to boost these CubeSats to deep space and enable science, technology demonstration, exploration or commercial applications in that environment. The two NextSTEP CubeSat projects will have fixed-price contracts with technical and payment milestones and total values for the entire development and operations of $1.4 to $7.9 million per award. The selected companies are:
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company of Denver, Colorado
Morehead State University of Morehead, Kentucky"
"This type of public-private partnership helps NASA stimulate the U.S. space industry while expanding the frontiers of knowledge, capabilities and opportunities in space," said Jason Crusan, director of the Advanced Exploration Systems Division (AESD) of NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in Washington, according to the press release.
