NASA has identified 41 technology proposals from 37 American companies that will advance capabilities for establishing a long-term presence on the Moon and enabling human exploration of Mars. These selections, made through the agency’s 2025 Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO), aim to develop solutions for space transportation, planetary surface operations, and lunar surface infrastructure.
Industry Partnerships for Space Goals
The ACO program establishes partnerships between NASA and industry without direct financial exchange. Companies involved will leverage NASA’s specialized facilities, software, hardware, and expertise to mature their technologies for both commercial markets and potential future government missions. Greg Stover, director of the Advanced Research and Technology Division at NASA Headquarters, stated that this approach empowers American industry to become active partners in NASA’s missions, allowing the agency to rapidly develop key capabilities while fostering the nation’s space economy.
Since its inception in 2015, NASA’s ACO initiative has supported over 110 projects. The total estimated value of agency resources dedicated to these agreements is approximately $30 million, complemented by an additional $32 million in industry contributions. The performance period for each agreement is expected to range from 12 to 24 months.
Diverse Technologies Selected
Industry proposers were tasked with addressing agency technology topics that would benefit from public-private collaboration. These included engine elements for space transportation, guidance and navigation systems, landing systems, in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing, as well as energy management technologies.
Among the selected proposals is a modular energy solution from Lockheed Martin designed for sustained power generation in the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions. This system aims to aid future crews and resources during the long lunar night, utilizing a wireless power transfer system with fiber lasers and a space-based heat rejection system.
Kall Morris Inc. will develop Asteria, a supplemental payload attachment system intended to enhance orbital missions. This system can attach to existing and future orbital assets without requiring pre-installed infrastructure, enabling advanced maneuvering, improved object tracking, and satellite life extension.
Moonprint Solutions, a small business, is proposing flexible isolation covers to shield critical hardware from abrasive lunar dust. These adaptable covers can conform to complex shapes on equipment such as rovers and robotic joints, providing protection for long-term operations on both the Moon and Mars.
The selected projects are expected to significantly impact the commercial space sector by potentially expanding markets, reducing costs, increasing options, or introducing entirely new capabilities. Organizations interested in future collaborations can find opportunities on NASA’s website.
Steve Lopez is the Editorial Page Editor for News Raise. He covers Health. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards for his reporting and column writing at seven newspapers and four news magazines.
