NASA has selected 304 proposals from U.S. small businesses to advance research and technology in Phase I of its 2018 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, and 44 proposals for the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. In total, the awards are worth $43.5 million. The projects offer support for future space exploration missions and the overall U.S. economy.
The winning submissions were selected based on technical merit and feasibility, the experience, qualifications, and facilities of the submitting organization, and commercial potential. Some of the winning proposals included:
- Superconducting technology for more efficient, lightweight, and high-power density motors for aircraft propulsion. The motors could be used for ships, energy storage, and wind power generators.
- A room temperature electrolyzer for generation of oxygen from carbon dioxide. This concept could be used for settlements on Mars, as well as improving oxygen recovery on the International Space Station or other crewed spacecraft.
- A compact, high-efficiency, high-power density Hall-effect thruster power processing unit that can be used for interplanetary transfers, supporting exploration and science missions.
- Onboard autonomous systems for crewed and uncrewed spacecraft. Other applications could include electric aircraft, chemical processing facilities, and power plants.
SBIR Phase I contracts last for six months, and STTR Phase I contracts run for 13 months. Both carry maximum funding of $125,000. The programs are intended to inspire new technological innovations in the private sector and increase the commercial application of research. The SBIR and STTR programs are managed by NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley.
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