David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 13-018
NASA ISSUES 2013 CALL FOR VISIONARY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CONCEPTS
WASHINGTON -- NASA's Space Technology Program is looking for visionary
advanced concepts. This year's annual call for NASA's Innovative
Advanced Concepts Program (NIAC) is seeking proposals for
revolutionary concepts with the potential to transform future
aerospace missions. Proposed concepts should enable new missions or
significantly improve current approaches to achieve aerospace
objectives.
NIAC studies visionary aerospace architecture, system or mission
concepts that are exciting and unexplored, yet credible and
executable. The concepts are early in development -- generally 10
years or more from operation. They are chosen based on peer review of
the potential impact, technical strength and benefits of the proposed
study.
"While Goddard or Tsiolkovsky envisioned rockets taking humans to
space, the rest of the world focused on the industrial revolution and
challenges of the early 20th century," said Michael Gazarik, director
of NASA's Space Technology Program at the agency's headquarters in
Washington. "These visionaries had radical ideas of space travel and
exploration that would take dozens to hundreds of years for
maturation, but were worth waiting for. NASA's NIAC seeks proposals
from today's visionaries who have futuristic concepts that may
transform how we live, work and explore the high frontier."
NIAC's current portfolio includes multiple technology areas
contributing to innovations in revolutionary construction, human
systems, sensing or imaging, autonomous exploration, and aerospace
transportation.
Past NIAC Phase I proposals have included a broad range of imaginative
and creative ideas, including: using electromagnets to protect
spacecraft from radiation; the application of terrestrial ocean
exploring concepts for extremely low-power exploration of under-ice
oceans believed to be on Europa; printing entire spacecraft on sheets
of paper; a solid-state, no-moving-parts air purifier; and other
innovative propulsion and power concepts needed for future space
mission operations.
The NIAC Phase I solicitation will incorporate a two-step process.
NIAC will accept short proposals, limited to three pages, until Feb.
14. After review, NASA will invite those whose proposal concepts are
of interest to the agency to submit a full proposal of no more than
eight pages. Full proposals will be due April 18.
NASA expects to fund about 15 proposals in this year's Phase I
process. Those selected may receive up to $100,000 for nine months of
study to advance the innovative space technology concept and help
NASA meet current operational and future mission requirements.
Selection announcements are expected this summer. The solicitation is
open to all United States citizens and researchers working in the
U.S., including NASA civil servants.
The number of NIAC awards will depend on the strength of proposals and
availability of appropriated funds.
This NASA early investment and partnership with creative scientists,
engineers and citizen inventors will pay huge technological dividends
and help maintain America's leadership in the global technology
economy.
NIAC is part of NASA's Space Technology Program, which is innovating,
developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future
missions. To view the NASA Research Announcement for this NIAC Phase
I solicitation and for more information about NIAC and NASA's Space
Technology Program, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/niac
