NASA Invested $45 Million, In Seeding Cutting-Edge , U.S. Space Businesses.<br />NASA is looking to accelerate the development <br />of new technologies at hundreds <br />of small aerospace businesses.<br />NASA is looking to accelerate the development <br />of new technologies at hundreds <br />of small aerospace businesses.<br />TechCrunch reports that the grant program <br />comes as part of a broader government goal <br />of seeding cutting-edge U.S. enterprises.<br />NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and <br />Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs <br />gave grants to 249 small businesses and 39 institutions.<br />NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and <br />Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs <br />gave grants to 249 small businesses and 39 institutions.<br />TechCrunch reports that each $150,000 grant <br />adds up for a total investment of $45 million.<br />Among those companies are Starfish Space, which <br />was given an SBIR grant to continue developing <br />its Nautilus docking and capture mechanism.<br />The Argo Space Corporation was awarded <br />a grant for its reusable transfer <br />spacecraft known as the Argonaut.<br />Winning an SBIR grant, in addition to the resources that it brings in, can connect the company to an agency like NASA, [which] builds relationships, provides access to experts and insight, Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder <br />of analytics firm BryceTech, via TechCrunch.<br />According to Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder of <br />BryceTech, the relatively small grants signal NASA's <br />potential interest in purchasing the tech in the future.<br />It’s a demand signal that<br />I think is relevant and that <br />I think investors value, Carissa Christensen, CEO and founder <br />of analytics firm BryceTech, via TechCrunch.<br />TechCrunch reports that companies involved in Phase 1 have the option to apply for an $850,000 Phase II grant as well as further opportunities.
