NASA Enlists 8 Firms for Small Spacecraft, Launch Vehicle Tech Maturation Program

Eight companies have received contracts worth a combined $17 million to help NASA advance small launch and space vehicle technologies under the second round of the agency’s Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies program.

NASA said Thursday each contract contains a performance period of two years, technical progress-related milestone fees and a provision for industry partners to fund at least 25 percent of the total costs.

The issuance of the awards came six months after NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate solicited industry proposals for the initiative that focuses on near-maturity commercial space platforms.

Masten Space Systems, Ventions, Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, HRL Laboratories, UP Aerospace and Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA) will collaborate with NASA to further development work on various platforms designed to send small space vehicles to low-Earth orbit.

NASA chose Trans Astronautica and ExoTerra Resource to help the agency demonstrate small spacecraft technologies.

Click here to read project details for each of the eight awardees.

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