NASA has chosen 11 American companies to receive a total of $150 million in funding aimed at advancing groundbreaking exploration technologies, including systems that could potentially power lunar outposts. The funds will support projects that enable humanity to establish a foothold on the moon and explore deep space destinations.

The chosen companies will contribute their own funding, ranging from 10-25% of the total project cost based on their size. Among the recipients, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin will receive nearly $35 million to further develop its "Blue Alchemist" technology, which aims to construct solar panels using lunar dust, dirt, and gravel (regolith). Astrobotic, another recipient, will also receive around $35 million to demonstrate power transmission from a lander to a tethered rover on the moon's surface using its CubeRover.

Other selected projects focus on building habitats, roads, and infrastructure using lunar rock and regolith. NASA's investment aligns with the Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon and its vicinity.

Prasun Desai, acting associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, emphasized the significance of partnerships with industry in paving the way for humanity's return to the moon under the Artemis initiative. By accelerating critical technologies through these collaborations, NASA seeks to facilitate sustainable exploration on the moon.

The newly announced funding is part of NASA's "Tipping Point" program and represents a major step towards advancing space exploration capabilities and supporting future missions beyond Earth.

Source: space.com