NASA Invested $45 Million In Seeding Cutting-Edge U.S. Space Businesses

NASA Invested $45 Million, In Seeding Cutting-Edge , U.S. Space Businesses.

NASA is looking to accelerate the development of new technologies at hundreds of small aerospace businesses.

NASA is looking to accelerate the development of new technologies at hundreds of small aerospace businesses.

TechCrunch reports that the grant program comes as part of a broader government goal of seeding cutting-edge U.S. enterprises.

NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs gave grants to 249 small businesses and 39 institutions.

NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs gave grants to 249 small businesses and 39 institutions.

TechCrunch reports that each $150,000 grant adds up for a total investment of $45 million.

Among those companies are Starfish Space, which was given an SBIR grant to continue developing its Nautilus docking and capture mechanism.

The Argo Space Corporation was awarded a grant for its reusable transfer spacecraft known as the Argonaut.

Winning an SBIR grant, in addition to the resources that it brings in, can connect the company to an agency like NASA, [which] builds relationships, provides access to experts and insight, Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder of analytics firm BryceTech, via TechCrunch.

According to Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder of BryceTech, the relatively small grants signal NASA's potential interest in purchasing the tech in the future.

It’s a demand signal that I think is relevant and that I think investors value, Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder of analytics firm BryceTech, via TechCrunch.

TechCrunch reports that companies involved in Phase 1 have the option to apply for an $850,000 Phase II grant as well as further opportunities.