A new round of awards will help university researchers develop ideas for innovative technology to support exploration in the extreme conditions of space .

 A new round of awards will help university researchers develop ideas for innovative technology to support exploration in the extreme conditions of space – from the Moon to deep space and beyond. The seven selected projects will advance control systems for solar sails, help solar-powered systems survive the Moon's long, cold nights, and explore designs for novel materials that could better endure the wild temperature swings of space.

"Our ambitious goals will take us to some of the most challenging places in the solar system, from the Moon's darkest, coldest areas to the intense temperatures near the Sun," said Dr. Prasun Desai, deputy associate administrator of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "The work from these university researchers will help create new cutting-edge capabilities for space exploration."

The selections were made under the Early Career Faculty (ECF) opportunity, which awards grants to accredited U.S. universities on behalf of outstanding faculty researchers early in their careers. ECF focuses on driving researchers to explore ideas and approaches that could benefit the future of science, space travel, and exploration.

Each researcher will receive up to $600,000 over three years to advance their technology. The selected proposals fall under three topics covering different technology needs for future exploration.