The Future of Space Exploration

The objective of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is to reduce travel time between different parts of the country from hours to mere minutes. With investments from NASA and public-private partnerships, we are witnessing the manifestation of these capabilities. This advancement in aeronautics will not only benefit the United States but also improve our balance of payment deficit. A trade surplus in aeronautics can be achieved by making the right investments and ensuring commercialization of space.

Commercialization of Space

Recently, the United States successfully launched American astronauts on American rockets from American soil for the first time since the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011. This achievement was made possible through a partnership with commercial industry. The goal is to create a robust commercial marketplace in low Earth orbit, where NASA can be one customer among many. Commercial resupply of the International Space Station and commercial crew missions are just the beginning. The next step is to establish commercial space stations.

Industrialized Biomedicine

One of the key areas where space commercialization can make a significant impact is in industrialized biomedicine. The unique conditions of microgravity in space allow for advancements in pharmaceuticals and medical research. Compounding pharmaceuticals and creating new medicines and immunizations are just a few examples. The potential to print human organs using adult stem cells in microgravity is groundbreaking.

Advanced Materials

Another area of focus for space commercialization is advanced materials. The goal is to develop new materials and technologies that can be used both in space and on Earth. This will lead to advancements in various industries and contribute to sustainable space exploration.

Sustainable Space Exploration

The President’s agenda for NASA is to go to the moon sustainably and eventually set foot on Mars. This will be achieved through partnerships with commercial and international partners. The Artemis program aims to establish a permanent presence on the moon and utilize its resources, such as water ice. The knowledge gained from this mission will pave the way for future exploration of Mars.

Engaging Small Businesses

Small businesses play a crucial role in the future of space exploration. NASA is committed to including small businesses in its portfolio and agenda. The Small Business Innovation Research program and the Associate Administrator of Small Business Programs at NASA ensure that small businesses are given opportunities and support. NASA has consistently received high grades in including small businesses in its initiatives.

NASA Small Business Innovation and Research Program

Welcome to the NASA Small Business Innovation and Research Program (SBIR). In this program, we partner with small businesses, research institutions, and universities to further research and build capabilities for NASA, the commercial aerospace industry, and the nation as a whole.

About the Program

The SBIR program falls under the Space Technology Mission Directorate and is tied to everything NASA does, including human exploration, space technology, science, and aeronautics. We function both as an R&D program, funding the maturation of technology for NASA, and as a seed fund, investing in disruptive capabilities and emerging markets.

Program Goals

Our goal is to introduce new technologies and ideas when and where they’re needed most. We have invested in small businesses and research institutions in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and throughout the year. In 2020, we awarded $51 million to 312 small businesses from 44 states, including 86 awards to small businesses in California.

Program Phases

The SBIR program consists of several phases. Phase One is the idea phase, while Phase Two focuses on the development, demonstration, and delivery of the innovation. Our ultimate goal is to help small businesses graduate to Phase Three, where their technologies make their way into NASA missions and the commercial marketplace.

Success Stories

We have had several success stories with California awardees. One example is Math and Space Systems, which has received eight awards since 2010. They are currently working on lunar lander damage models and spacecraft systems for the Artemis program. Another success story is Honeybee Robotics, which is providing instruments for NASA’s Viper mission to the moon’s south pole in 2023.