NASA Picks 40 FY2026 Technology Priorities From 454 Responses for Moon and Mars Missions
Updated
Updated · NASA · May 20
NASA Picks 40 FY2026 Technology Priorities From 454 Responses for Moon and Mars Missions
1 articles · Updated · NASA · May 20
NASA used its 2026 Civil Space Shortfall Ranking to choose 40 primary focus areas for fiscal 2026 technology investments, targeting capabilities needed for future lunar and Mars missions.
454 external responses from industry, government and academia fed the ranking, which NASA uses to identify the most pervasive technology gaps and steer development spending.
Top needs highlighted by the process include long-duration lunar infrastructure, surface mobility and logistics, advanced onboard computing, precise South Pole landings, regolith excavation and transport, and low-power thermal systems for distributed assets.
The 2026 exercise condensed 187 previously ranked shortfalls into 32 broader categories, aiming to preserve technical depth while making stakeholder feedback more efficient and easier to use.
NASA said the results will also shape collaboration paths with industry, academia and other agencies as it seeks to sustain U.S. space-technology leadership and build the lunar economy.
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NASA’s 40 Technology Priorities for 2026: Strategic Investments and Partnerships for Moon and Mars Missions
Overview
NASA is setting a clear path for deep space exploration by focusing on building a sustainable human presence on the Moon and preparing for crewed missions to Mars. To achieve these goals, NASA released the FY26 Civil Space Shortfall Prioritization, which identifies and ranks key technological gaps. This process led to the selection of 40 primary technology focus areas, ensuring that investments target the most critical needs for future lunar and Martian missions. By addressing these gaps, NASA aims to lay the foundation for its next giant leaps in space exploration and maintain U.S. leadership beyond Earth.