NASA's Constellation Program has selected 11 companies and one university to independently develop concepts that contribute to how astronauts will live and work on the moon.
Each organization will conduct a 180-day study focused on a topic relevant to lunar surface systems. Selected organizations and topics are:
+ Alternative Packaging Options: Oceaneering Space Systems of Houston
+ Avionics: Honeywell International, Inc. of Glendale, Ariz,
+ Energy Storage: ATK Space Systems Group of Brigham City, Utah, Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, and Hamilton Sundstrand of Canoga Park, Calif.
+ Minimum Habitation Functions: The Boeing Company of Huntington Beach, Calif., ILC Dover of Frederica, Del., and University of Maryland, College Park
+ Regolith Moving Methods: Astrobotic Technology Inc. of Pittsburgh and Honeybee Robotics of New York
+ Software: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., and United Space Alliance of Houston
The awards total approximately $2 million, with a maximum individual award of $250,000.
"These studies provide new ideas to help the Constellation Program develop innovative, reliable requirements for the systems that will be used when outposts are established on the moon," said Jeff Hanley, the Constellation Program manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The recommendations from the studies will help determine packaging options, identify basic functions for lunar habitats, and conceptualize innovative avionics, computer software, energy storage ideas and equipment and techniques that could help preparation for the lunar outpost site.
