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Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator on space agency plans for the moon and its potential impact on the US economy.
NASA has announced partnerships with 17 US companies to advance a range of commercial space technologies.
“NASA and industry teams will design a 3D printing system for NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program, test a simple method to remove dust from planetary solar panels, develop a rocket recovery system from first step for a small supplier of satellite launchers, and more ”. the space agency explained in a statement.
NASA partner companies include SpaceX, Blue Origin, Orbital Sciences Corp. and Aerojet Rocketdyne.
NASA ACTS MILESTONES WITH US COMPANIES COMPETING TO SUPPLY MOON LANDERS
The 20 partnership projects span areas such as cryogenic fluids management and propulsion, advanced propulsion, sustainable energy, thrusters, advanced robotics, advanced materials and structures, entry, descent and landing, as well as small spacecraft technologies, according to NASA.
Secaucus, the NJ-based AI SpaceFactory will be working on a material that mimics lunar regolith, or dirt. “In collaboration with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the company will 3D print a test structure in a vacuum chamber that mimics environmental conditions on the Moon,” the space agency explained. “The research could inform a 3D printing system for building large surface structures from materials in situ on other worlds.”
Secaucus, New Jersey-based AI SpaceFactory, has autonomously printed habitat and tested technology for building structures on the Moon and Mars. (Credits: NASA / Emmett given)
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, will work with NASA’s Langley Research Center to capture images and thermal measurements of the company’s Starship vehicle as it orbits reentry over the Pacific Ocean.
“With the data, the company plans to develop a reusable thermal protection system, which protects the vehicle from aerodynamic heating, for missions returning from low Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars,” NASA said in the communicated.
Last month, NASA announced it had reached a key milestone with U.S. companies competing to supply landers for future manned missions to the moon.
The space agency’s Artemis program aims to land US astronauts on the moon by 2024. Working with business and international partners, it also plans to establish a sustainable human presence on Earth’s natural satellite. ‘by 2028.
NASA TESTS A ROCKET FOR FUTURE ARTEMIS MISSIONS TO THE MOON
A key part of the Artemis program is also the landing of the first woman on the moon.
NASA recently tested the booster rocket technology that will be used to power the Artemis lunar missions. The space agency conducted a full-scale propulsion test for its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket in Promontory, Utah, in September.
The test is an important step for the Artemis program.
Last year, NASA revealed details of its vision of the Artemis Moon Lander that will bring American astronauts back to the lunar surface.
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Some lawmakers, however, have urged NASA to delay placing the US boots on the moon until 2028.
Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
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