ADA Technologies Inc. received several NASA
SBIR/STTR contracts that enabled the development of a Fine Water Mist Portable
Fire Extinguisher intended for use aboard the International Space Station and
next-generation, astronaut-occupied spacecraft.
Image Credit: Thomas Cooper (lightboximages.com)
Recognizing the critical role of American small businesses and research
institutions play as innovation engines for new space technologies that will
enable future space exploration, NASA has selected 383 research and technology
proposals for negotiations that may lead to contracts worth a combined $47.6
million.
The proposals, from 257 U.S. small businesses and 29 research institutions,
are part of NASA's Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and Small
Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program.
"SBIR and STTR projects are at the foundation of America's future in space
and aeronautics," said Michael Gazarik, associate administrator for Space
Technology at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Innovative ideas explored by our
partners in industry and the broader U.S. research community help NASA execute
our missions and bring new American products and services to the global
technology marketplace. These job-creating NASA investments fuel the innovation
engine these small businesses provide to our economy."
Technologies funded by these NASA innovation programs may one day find their
way into journeys across the solar system. NASA is funding proposals to enable
in-space transportation for human and robotic missions; new ways to keep
astronauts safe on their journey, and innovative ways to keep spacecraft systems
fully operational.
Selected proposals also aim to enable landing on, traversing across, and
eventually sampling the depths of asteroids, Mars or other distant destinations.
Proposed new technologies will help NASA search the sky for planets outside our
solar system and study the universe back to the beginning of time.
NASA's Small Business Innovation Research Program and Small Business
Technology Transfer Program fund technologies used here on Earth as well.
Projects will help to make entirely new generations of airplanes quieter and
more efficient and air traffic management more capable. New space technologies
will orbit the Earth, studying our atmosphere, our poles, our oceans, and even
our sun, assessing the health of the planet and providing invaluable information
about the impacts of climate change.
"These selections are part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate
investment in new technologies that address several high priority challenges for
achieving safe and affordable deep-space exploration," Gazarik added. "Aligned
with NASA's Space Technology Roadmaps, the agency's Space Technology Investment
Plan and the National Research Council's recommendations, these focused areas
will assure we remain on the cutting edge of advanced space technology. SBIR and
STTR technologies provide an early stage foundation across all our thrust
areas."
In November 2013 NASA issued two concurrent solicitations for Phase I
proposals. A general solicitation for both SBIR and STTR sought Phase I
proposals in response to a broad range of research topics. A second select
solicitation for the SBIR program only focused on a small group of topics of
particular interest to NASA.
The highly competitive programs are based on a three-phase award system.
Phase I feasibility studies evaluate the scientific and technical merit of an
idea. Phase I awards are for six months, and a maximum of $125,000. Firms
successfully completing Phase I are eligible to submit a Phase II proposal,
expanding on the results of the developments in Phase I. Phase III awards
consider the commercialization of the results of Phase II and requires the use
of private sector or non-SBIR federal funding.
For the general SBIR Phase I solicitation, NASA chose 315 proposals worth
approximately $39.1 million. For the second select SBIR Phase I solicitation,
NASA chose 36 proposals worth approximately $4.5 million. NASA chose 32
proposals with a value of approximately $4 million for STTR Phase I projects.
The three solicitations attracted proposals from 37 states.
Selection criteria included technical merit and feasibility, along with
experience, qualifications and facilities. Additional criteria included
effectiveness of the work plan and commercial potential and feasibility.
NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif., manages the SBIR
program for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate. NASA's 10 field centers
manage individual projects. For more information about NASA's SBIR program and a
complete listing of selected companies, visit:
The two innovative technology programs are part of NASA's Space Technology
Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying
hardware for use in NASA's future missions. NASA's investments in space
technology provide the transformative capabilities to enable new missions,
stimulate the economy, contribute to the nation's global competitiveness, and
inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. For more
information about NASA's investment in space technology, visit:
NASA
Guillermo Gonzalo Sánchez Achutegui
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