To the Moon! NASA Contest Kick-Starts Innovative Space Tech

RASSOR Excavator
One of the technologies in the "Space Race" is the Regolith Advanced Surface Systems Operations Robot (RASSOR) excavator, which could mine for resources from hard-to-reach Earth mines, a moon or an asteroid. (Image credit: NASA)

A new NASA program rewards tech companies for building machines destined for Earth orbit — or even the moon.

Dubbed "Startup NASA," the new program will make it easier for young companies to commercialize NASA technology by helping them with their cash flow and securing intellectual property.

Until March 27, Startup NASA's "Space Race" competition will accept new entrants, who will have access to as much as $1.2 million in private capital from an unnamed, committed fund. NASA is running the competition in partnership with the Center for Advancing Innovation.

Entrants can choose one of 10 NASA technologies, and then create a pathway for commercialization. One invention to be commercialized is the Regolith Advanced Surface Systems Operations Robot (RASSOR) excavator, which is designed to extract minerals and resources from Earth mines, the moon or an asteroid.

"In the past four years, we've managed a 250 percent increase in annual patent licensing and have doubled the rate at which we release software to the public," Daniel Lockney, executive of Startup NASA, said in a statement.

"Startup NASA and the Space Race challenge promise to continue that trend of making NASA's achievements in research and technology more accessible to people on the ground."

Similar to the minispeeches from entrepreneurs you see on the TV show "Shark Tank," the companies will each create an elevator pitch for potential investors. Competitors who pass the first stage will write a full business plan, NASA officials said. The final presentations will be evaluated by judges, who then will select which entrants will license the technology and incorporate their businesses. (After that, they'd ideally develop and commercialize their product.)

"The challenge provides robust training in business fundamentals, as well as mentorship from world-renowned industry experts," NASA officials said in the statement. "Competitors also will receive unique networking opportunities and media exposure as they vie for prize purses of $2,500."

In exchange for licensing technology from NASA, the companies will not be charged any minimum fees or up-front costs for three years. More than 12 companies have signed up for Startup NASA since it began in October.

Two past Center for Advancing Innovation challenges — whose entrants included universities and federal laboratories — kick-started 33 companies, creating about 1,200 jobs, NASA officials said.

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Elizabeth Howell
Staff Writer, Spaceflight

Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace