Space public-private partnership: how space agencies will help startups in 2023
Today we will cover how two space agencies, NASA and ESA, partner with startups and what entrepreneurship opportunities will emerge this year.
The way business is done is rapidly changing in the industry. Only a decade ago, state-sponsored institutions like NASA were very secretive and mostly relied on in-house R&D. Today, there’s an abundance of private companies that are cooperating with the institutions to propel innovation. Moreover, the collaborations and exchange of information will likely remain the driving force of the ecosystem for the foreseeable future.
NASA Lunar program investments
If the Artemis program is as successful as the Apollo program, a lot of new technologies will come into our lives. For example, Apollo laid the foundation for GPS, telecommunications satellites, DustBuster portable vacuum cleaners, Lasik eye surgery, earthquake-proof devices in buildings, wireless overhead headphones, computed tomography, and air purifiers. This is one of the many reasons that encourage investments from NASA.
To return to the Moon, the agency cooperates with dozens of private enterprises and organizations on a myriad of projects.
In 2020, NASA allocated $370 million for Cryogenic Fluid Management Technology for the Moon exploration to advance in-situ resource utilization, surface power generation, energy storage, and communications as well as the development of take-off and landing systems.
This includes:
Nokia’s $14.1 million contract from NASA to deploy 4G wireless communication systems on the Moon.
Intuitive Machines' $41.6 million contract to develop a small, deployable hopper lander capable of carrying a 2.2-pound (1-kilogram) payload more than 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers). This hopper could access lunar craters and enable high-resolution surveying of the lunar surface over a short distance.
SSL Robotics (Maxar Technologies) $8.7 million contract to develop a lighter and less expensive robotic arm for lunar surface applications, in-orbit servicing, and terrestrial defense applications.
Alpha Space Test and Aegis Aerospace’s $22.1 million contract for the space science and technology evaluation facility that will give small experiments access to the lunar environment to collect data and experience exposure to ultraviolet and charged particle radiation.
California-based startup Astrolab (total funding $4.6 million) is developing a FLEX rover for "flexible logistics and development." The goal of the project is to transport both cargo and people. The payload capacity of the rover is about 1.5 tons. Sierra Space in partnership with Nissan is also preparing its lunar rover.
Masten Space Systems, ispace, and Lunar Outpost are working on regolith collection. The total remuneration from NASA for all three is ridiculously modest, only $25,000 as NASA wants what it calls an "inexpensive, technically acceptable" method of collection.
The Capstone CubeSat serves to demonstrate the Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit, on which the Gateway lunar orbital station is planned to be based. It is developed by Advanced Space company together with partners which received more than $16 million from NASA.
Guided by the Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative strategy, NASA plans to prioritize the development of the following technologies:
In Situ Resource Utilization: Using the resources of the Moon to produce water, fuel, and other materials
Dust Mitigation: electric fields or ceramic coating, and other ideas
Excavation and Construction: robots adapted to the conditions of the Moon
Surface Power: solar panels, fuel cells with a long charge, and other ideas
Extreme Environments: technologies for operation at high and low temperatures
Some of our readers can use the above as an opportunity to build a space tech start-up.
NASA Low Earth Orbit investments
NASA has signed agreements with 4 companies to develop designs for space stations and other commercial destinations in space. As part of the collaboration, the agency will distribute $575M to the successful projects. Check out our pieces on orbital stations and space tourism to learn more about the endeavours.
The agency also supports Commercial crew and AXIOM Space private missions to the ISS. As commercial companies focus on providing services for transporting people to and from Low Earth orbit, NASA may focus on building spacecraft and rockets for deep space.
NASA investment program 2023 : applications are open
In addition to funding new technologies that can support its missions, NASA is investing in commercially viable ideas that can drive aerospace market growth.
By participating in the NASA Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR), one can get up to $1 million during the first three years of project development. The SBIR program provides early-stage funding and other non-monetary support to small businesses whereas the STTR program supports research institutions. The programs’ cumulative budget is $285M for 2023, and both of them are currently accepting applications!
Key areas of the SBIR and STTR programs in 2023:
Applications are open until March 13, 2023.
High-risk, early-stage projects on space exploration and improving life on Earth are being supported - from the technology of folding solar panels, which can help astronauts to work on the Moon, to antenna technologies for satellite internet improvement, climate change resilience, low-cost solar cells, and active garbage rehabilitation.
ESA Investment program 2023: applications are open
The European Space Agency is also engaged in investments in private companies. ESA Business Incubation Centers are the largest network of incubators supporting space-related start-ups in Europe. In addition, the ESA annually arranges investment forums. The ESA Investor Forum is a high-profile event for space-related investment opportunities that connect start-ups and scale-ups from the ESA network with European investors. The international meeting takes place regularly to boost large-scale investments in space technologies. ESA's investment aims to show that space is open for business and can improve our daily life on Earth.
ESA has already invested €250m in launching innovative services in over 1200 businesses within the Space Solutions program. Successful applicants could receive zero-equity funding (from €60k to €2M+ per activity), and applications are open all year.
An incomplete list of topics of the investment program includes:
ICT and electronic devices sustainability
Space for green construction
Satellite connectivity for autonomous land vehicles safety
5G/6G services
Inclusive and accessible sport
Digitizing water resilience - acting on water stress in basins
Future hospital initiative
Case: commercial applications enabled by space environments
Lunar communication services
Lunar navigation services
Application Areas supporting a sustainable Lunar Presence
Space industry does not stand still, and it’s a great time to start a spacetech company. National space agencies are adapting to the changing conditions of the game and are relentlessly increasing funding allocations to support private companies. If you are working on a spacetech venture, a public-private partnership can be a win-win solutions for you. If you are looking for funding this year, reach out to Alex at alexandra@spaceambition.org, and we’ll try to help the best we can
Thanks for the interesting article! It will be extremely interesting to observe this public-private stage of space exploration. Something tells me that its indirect effect on life on Earth will be much stronger than in the previous stages.