NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has launched a three-phase Entrepreneurs Challenge focused on leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics to advance mission goals.
NASA said Thursday it plans to pick 15 to 20 participants for the first challenge event on July 29 ahead of downselecting the final 10 proposers that will compete for up to $80K in additional prize funding later this year.
Selected participants will each get a maximum of $100K in SMD funds and will be eligible to take part in related activities under NASA’s Small Business Innovative Research program.
For the second round, NASA will conduct a live event where participants will present their technologies to agency attendees as well as venture capital firms. The final 10 participants will each receive $20K in funding and submit their full concepts during the Innovation and Opportunity Conference in the fall.
According to NASA, interested parties may submit concepts in a range of subject areas including quantum sensors, mass spectrometry and AI-based technologies for autonomous spacecraft and rovers.
NASA will accept white papers through June 26.
