Barbara E. Selby
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                    April 19, 1991
(Phone:  703/557-5609)
 
 
RELEASE:  91-58
 
NASA SEEKS MORE COMMERCIAL SPACE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
 
      NASA today issued a request for proposals to establish up 
to two additional Centers for the Commercial Development of 
Space (CCDS).  This fourth solicitation in the agency's CCDS 
program will seek centers to specialize in the commercialization 
of advanced satellite communications technologies and other 
space-based telecommunications technologies.
 
      The deadline for receiving proposals is June 21, 1991.  
Proposals submitted to NASA will be evaluated by a independent 
group of peer reviewers representing industry, academia and 
government.  Based on these evaluations, the selection is 
expected in early August, with establishment of the new 
center(s) anticipated for September 1991.
 
      A key element in NASA's initiative to support the expanded 
commercial use of space, CCDSs are innovative research 
institutions funded through a cooperative partnership of 
industry, univerisities and government.  NASA's Office of 
Commercial Programs manages the grant program and provides 
annual funding up to $1 million to each of the centers for an 
initial 5 years which may be extended.  The CCDSs also receive 
support from corporate and university affiliates.
 
      NASA's current nationwide network of 16 CCDSs specialize 
in seven research disciplines:  materials processing (5), life 
sciences (3), remote sensing (2), automation and robotics (2), 
space propulsion (1), space structures and materials (1) and 
space power (2). 
 
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