[meteorite-list] NASA Innovative Advanced Concept Program Seeks Phase II Proposals

[Ron Baalke]

April 18, 2014
     
NASA Innovative Advanced Concept Program Seeks Phase II Proposals

NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program is seeking proposals for  
technologies that could be used on future exploration missions. The new  
proposals will build on the most promising ideas developed in the program's  
first phase.

The NIAC program funds cutting-edge concepts that have the potential to  
transform future missions, enable new capabilities, or significantly alter  
current approaches to launching, building, and operating aerospace systems.

NIAC's Phase II studies provide an opportunity to develop the most promising  
Phase I concepts. These are aerospace architecture, mission, or system  
concepts with transformative potential. They must continue to push into new  
frontiers, while remaining technically and programmatically credible. NIAC's  
current portfolio of diverse efforts advances aerospace technology in many  
areas, including construction, human systems, transportation, imaging, and  
robotic exploration.

"During the second phase of our NIAC program, visionary concepts are matured  
to advance concepts from notional to feasible," said Michael Gazarik, NASA's  
associate administrator for space technology at the agency's headquarters in  
Washington. "These advanced technology concepts are critical for  
kick-starting innovation that will enable our future missions."

Recent NIAC Phase II studies have included a concept for a sample return for  
extreme environments, which could lead to a simple and efficient way to  
obtain multiple samples drilled out of an asteroid crust.

Another NIAC Phase II study is examining "SpiderFab," an approach to  
3D-printing of large structures in space. This could one day enable NASA to  
produce giant telescopes in orbit without having to design them to fit within  
a rocket shroud or withstand the vibration and g-loads of launch.

"In NIAC Phase I Studies, the focus is basic feasibility and potential  
benefit. In Phase II, we can get into real systems engineering and in some  
cases even demonstration" said Jay Falker, NIAC program executive at NASA  
Headquarters. "This is critical for taking concepts from paper studies to  
engineering implementation. Phase II also helps address the important  
technology development needs of NASA's current and future programs."

NASA will be accepting NIAC Phase II proposals of no more than 20 pages until  
June 3. Selection announcements are expected later this year. This  
solicitation is open only to current or previously awarded NIAC Phase I  
concepts. Complete guidelines for proposal submissions are available on the  
NIAC website at

http://www.nasa.gov/niac 

NASA expects to select approximately five new Phase II studies this year. The  
number of awards will depend on the strength of proposals, availability of  
appropriated funds, and the overall number of Phase I and Phase II awards.  
Selected proposers may receive as much as $500,000 over two years to further  
analyze and develop their innovative concepts.

"Over the next 18 months, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate will  
make significant new investments that address several high priority  
challenges for achieving safe and affordable deep-space exploration," Gazarik  
added. "These focused technology thrust areas are tightly aligned with NASA's  
Space Technology Roadmaps, the Space Technology Investment Plan, and National  
Research Council's recommendations."

NIAC is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is  
innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future  
missions. To view the NASA NIAC Research Announcement for this solicitation  
and for more information about the agency's Space Technology Mission  
Directorate, visit:

http://go.usa.gov/R1N 

-end-

David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz at nasa.gov