Space Technology mission Directorate
-
NASA
NASA Testing Advances Space Nuclear Propulsion Capabilities
Nuclear propulsion and power technologies could unlock new frontiers in missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA has reached an important milestone advancing nuclear propulsion that could benefit future deep space missions by completing a cold-flow test campaign of the first flight reactor engineering development unit since the 1960s. “Nuclear propulsion has multiple benefits including speed and endurance that…
Read More » -
NASA
2026 Civil Space Shortfall Ranking
NASA has identified a list of 32 technology shortfalls and invites you to give input on your critical technology needs using this feedback mechanism. Whether you’re part of the space technology community or an interested member of the public, your input is invaluable. By registering and providing your feedback, you could help inform of national space technology priorities. NASA will analyze and aggregate…
Read More » -
NASA
NASA Bolsters Golden Age of Exploration with Technology Priorities
As NASA prepares for long-duration missions to the Moon that will pave the way for human exploration on Mars, the agency is tapping into America’s expanding space economy to help guide its strategic technology investments. This initiative, led by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate invites collaboration from U.S. industry leaders, academic institutions, and other government agencies to help prioritize critical…
Read More » -
NASA
NASA Releases Opportunity to Boost Commercial Space Tech Development
NASA has released a new proposal opportunity for industry to tap into agency know-how, resources, and expertise. The Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO), managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate, enables valuable collaboration without financial exchanges between NASA and industry partners. Instead, companies leverage NASA subject matter experts, facilities, software, and hardware to accelerate their technologies and prepare them for future…
Read More » -
NASA
NASA Tests New Ways to Stick the Landing in Challenging Terrain
Advancing new hazard detection and precision landing technologies to help future space missions successfully achieve safe and soft landings is a critical area of space research and development, particularly for future crewed missions. To support this, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is pursuing a regular cadence of flight testing on a variety of vehicles, helping researchers rapidly advance these…
Read More » -
NASA
Five Facts About NASA’s Moon Bound Technology
NASA is sending revolutionary technologies to the Moon aboard Intuitive Machines’ second lunar delivery as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign to establish a long-term presence on the lunar surface. As part of this CLPS flight to the Moon, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate will test novel technologies to learn more about what lies beneath the lunar surface,…
Read More » -
NASA
Five Ways to Explore NASA’s Portfolio of Technologies with TechPort 4.0
Have you ever wanted to find all your favorite NASA technology in one place? NASA stakeholders did, too! We listened to your feedback, brainstormed user-focused features, and created the most robust technology system to date. NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate is excited to announce the release of TechPort version 4.0 – your gateway into our technology community. NASA tuned into feedback from the public,…
Read More » -
NASA
NASA Partners with US Patent and Trademark Office to Advance Technology Transfer
With a shared commitment to fostering U.S. economic growth that benefits the American public, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration in transferring federally-developed technology into the private sector, known as tech transfer. “NASA has to invent new technology every day to carry out audacious missions…
Read More » -
NASA
NASA Technologies Aim to Solve Housekeeping’s Biggest Issue – Dust
If you thought the dust bunnies under your sofa were an issue, imagine trying to combat dust on the Moon. Dust is a significant challenge for astronauts living and working on the lunar surface. So, NASA is developing technologies that mitigate dust buildup enabling a safer, sustainable presence on the Moon. A flight test aboard a suborbital rocket system that…
Read More » -
NASA
NASA TechLeap Prize: Space Technology Payload Challenge
The Space Technology Payload Challenge invites individuals, teams, and organizations to submit applications for systems that advance technology to address one or more of NASA’s shortfalls. These shortfalls identify technology areas where further technology development is required to meet future exploration, science, and other mission needs. In addition, technologies to address these select shortfalls are also potentially well suited for…
Read More »