NASA Invites Private Companies to Collaborate on Space Innovations
NASA is offering companies a chance to develop new space technologies by working directly with its teams and resources. Through the newly announced Collaboration Opportunity (ACO), businesses can access NASA’s expertise, labs, software, and equipment. No money changes hands; instead, the partnership helps both sides move space technology forward.
Conditions And Timeline
This opportunity is part of a long-term push by NASA to support the commercial space sector. The ACO will remain open for five years and act as a framework for more specific calls for proposals, which will be issued every six to 12 months. The current round is open until 24 September 2025.
To help companies understand how to take part, NASA will host a webinar on 6 August at 7 p.m. BST. Questions can be submitted in advance and will be answered during the session. A recording will also be shared online afterwards.
Since 2015, nearly 80 projects have been supported through the ACO, helping shape the future of space exploration.
Helping Blue Origin Shape Its Lunar Landers
One major example is NASA’s work with Blue Origin. The agency shared reports and carried out tests to help the company improve the power systems on its lunar landers, specifically a fuel cell system. It also helped Blue Origin test high-temperature engine materials and develop a precise landing guidance system.
NASA has also worked closely with SpaceX. Together, they spent a year analysing how fuel could be transferred between two Starship spacecraft in orbit.
This work helped inform the development of the Starship Human Landing System, which will carry NASA astronauts to the Moon under the Artemis programme.
In 2023, Venturi Astrolab joined forces with NASA to test its flexible lunar tyres. As a result, Venturi Astrolab was one of three companies chosen in 2024 to work on a lunar vehicle that astronauts will use to explore the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.
A Platform for Progress
Through the ACO, NASA is providing a powerful springboard for companies to bring bold space technologies to life. By combining industry innovation with NASA’s unmatched resources, this long-term initiative is set to drive the next wave of space exploration and development.
link
