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<\/figure>NASA selected the 2024 Phase I awardees<\/a> for its program to fund ideas that could \u00a0innovate for the benefit of all and transform future agency missions. From proposals to explore low Earth orbit to the stars, the 13 concepts chosen stem from companies and institutions across the United States.<\/p>\n The NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts<\/a>) program fosters pioneering ideas by funding early-stage technology concept studies for future consideration and potential commercialization<\/a>. The combined award is a maximum of $175,000 in grants to evaluate technologies that could enable tomorrow\u2019s space missions.<\/p>\n \u201cThe daring missions NASA undertakes for the benefit of humanity all begin as just an idea, and NIAC is responsible for inspiring many of those ideas,\u201d said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. \u201cThe Ingenuity helicopter<\/a> flying on Mars and instruments on the MarCO deep space CubeSats<\/a> can trace their lineage back to NIAC, proving there is a path from creative idea to mission success. And, while not all these concepts will fly, NASA and our partners worldwide can learn from fresh approaches and may eventually use technologies advanced by NIAC.\u201d<\/p>\n This year\u2019s class will explore sample return from the surface of Venus, fixed-wing flight on Mars, a swarm of probes traveling across interstellar space, and more. All NIAC studies are in the early stages of conceptual development and are not considered official NASA missions.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ge-Cheng Zha, Coflow Jet LLC in Florida, proposed flying the first fixed-wing, electric vertical takeoff, and landing craft on Mars<\/a>. The vehicle nicknamed \u201cMAGGIE,\u201d could extend humanity\u2019s ability to explore and conduct science on the Red Planet.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thomas Eubanks, Space Initiatives Inc. in Florida, believes a swarm of tiny spacecraft could travel to Proxima Centauri<\/a> this century, sending back data about the Sun\u2019s nearest interstellar neighbor using a novel laser sailcraft and laser communications.<\/p>\n Geoff Landis, NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, proposed a spacecraft that can not only survive Venus\u2019 harsh environment but return a sample from the surface<\/a> using innovations in high-temperature technology and solar aircraft.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe diversity of this year\u2019s Phase I projects \u2013 from quantum sensors observing Earth\u2019s atmosphere to a coordinated swarm of spacecraft communicating from the next star \u2013 is a testament to the truly innovative community reached by NIAC,\u201d said Mike LaPointe, NIAC program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cThe NIAC awards highlight NASA\u2019s commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of what\u2019s possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Using their NIAC grants, the researchers, known as fellows, will investigate the fundamental premise of their concepts, roadmap necessary technology development, identify potential challenges, and look for opportunities to bring these concepts to life.<\/p>\n In addition to the projects mentioned above, the other selectees to receive 2024 NIAC Phase I grants are:<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the NIAC program, as it is responsible for developing the agency\u2019s new cross-cutting technologies and capabilities to achieve its current and future missions.<\/p>\n To learn more about NIAC, visit:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/niac<\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Jimi Russell\n
Headquarters, Washington
216-704-2412
james.j.russell@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n