NASA Picks 41 Moon and Mars Proposals From 37 Companies, Backed by $30 Million
Updated
Updated · NASA · Jun 26
NASA Picks 41 Moon and Mars Proposals From 37 Companies, Backed by $30 Million
2 articles · Updated · NASA · Jun 26
Summary
NASA chose 41 proposals from 37 U.S. companies under its 2025 collaboration program to speed technologies for lunar operations and eventual human missions to Mars.
About $30 million in NASA resources will support the agreements, leveraging another $32 million from industry in partnerships that exchange expertise, facilities, software and hardware rather than direct funding.
The selected work spans engine components, guidance and navigation, landing systems, in-space servicing and energy management, with individual agreements expected to run 12 to 24 months.
Examples include Lockheed Martin power systems for the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions, Kall Morris’s adhesive payload attachment system for orbital assets, and Moonprint Solutions’ dust-protection covers for lunar and Martian equipment.
Since launching the Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity in 2015, NASA has backed more than 110 projects as it uses commercial partnerships to build Moon-to-Mars capabilities and broaden the U.S. space economy.
After a partner's 2025 mission failure, how does NASA ensure these new collaborations succeed?
How does NASA measure the true taxpayer benefit of these 'no-cost' industry partnerships?
With dozens of new lunar technologies, what is the biggest obstacle to a permanent Moonbase?
NASA's 2025 Collaboration Surge: Artemis, ACO Awards, and the Future of Lunar Exploration
Overview
NASA is advancing space exploration by partnering with 37 American companies through its 2025 Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO) selections, focusing on future Moon and Mars missions. By providing $30 million in specialized resources and leveraging $32 million in industry contributions, NASA fosters innovation while minimizing direct costs. Notable developments include Moonprint Solutions’ flexible isolation covers, which protect critical hardware from abrasive lunar dust and adapt to complex shapes, supporting long-term lunar operations. This collaborative approach accelerates technology development, strengthens public-private partnerships, and prepares essential systems for sustained exploration beyond Earth.