Space Tech Industry Partnerships
The Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) uses partnerships to expand important space technologies and capabilities. These opportunities encourage collaborations with the commercial space sector that leverage emerging markets and capabilities to meet NASA’s strategic goals and industry needs. NASA’s investments in industry partnerships can reduce development costs and accelerate the infusion of emerging space system capabilities. While developing technology to enable NASA’s next generation of science and human exploration missions, the agency will help grow the economy and strengthen the nation’s economic competitiveness.
Tipping Point
Through the Tipping Point Announcement for Partnership proposals, NASA seeks industry-developed space technologies that can foster the development of commercial space capabilities and benefit future NASA missions. A technology is considered at a tipping point if an investment in a demonstration will significantly mature the technology, increase the likelihood of infusion into a commercial space application, and bring the technology to market for both government and commercial applications. The partnerships established through Tipping Point selections combine NASA resources with an industry contribution of at least 25% of the total project resources (10% minimum for companies with 500 or fewer employees), shepherding the development of critical space technologies/capabilities to stimulate commercial space economy while also saving the agency, and American taxpayers, money.
Beginning in 2022, selected Tipping Point proposals will be awarded as funded Space Act Agreements.
Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO)
Through the Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO), NASA helps reduce the development cost of space technologies and accelerate the infusion of emerging commercial capabilities into future missions. Resulting in unfunded Space Act Agreements, NASA centers partner with selected companies to provide expertise, facilities, hardware and software at no cost.
Current Opportunities for Proposals
There are no open opportunities at this time. To see what other STMD opportunities might be best suited for you, visit TechPort:
Go to TechPort
Past Opportunities & Selection Announcements
2022 Tipping Point Solicitation:
Announcement for Partnership Proposals to Advance Tipping Point Technologies
July 2023 Tipping Point Selection Release:
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-partners-with-american-companies-on-key-moon-exploration-tech
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/solicitations/tipping_points/2023_selections
2022 ACO:
Space Technology Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO)
2023 ACO Selection Release:
NASA Selects 12 Companies to Collaborate on Key Technology Development
January 2020 Tipping Point Solicitation:
Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies
October 2020 Tipping Point Selection Release:
NASA Announces Partners to Advance ‘Tipping Point’ Technologies for the Moon, Mars
More information about the 2020 Tipping Point Selections
January 2020 ACO Solicitation:
Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO)
November 2020 ACO Selection Release:
New NASA Partnerships to Mature Commercial Space Technologies, Capabilities
More information about the 2020 ACO Selections
February 2019 Tipping Point Solicitation:
Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies
September 2019 Tipping Point Selection Release:
NASA Announces New Tipping Point Partnerships for Moon and Mars Technologies
October 2018 ACO Solicitation:
ACO 2018: Space Technology Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity
July 2019 ACO Selection Release:
NASA Announces US Industry Partnerships to Advance Moon, Mars Technology
November 2017 Tipping Point Solicitation:
Tipping Point 2017: Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies
August 2018 Tipping Point Selection Release:
NASA Announces New Partnerships to Develop Space Exploration Technologies
August 2016 Tipping Point Solicitation:
Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies
February 2017 Tipping Point Selection Release:
NASA Establishes New Public-Private Partnerships to Advance U.S. Commercial Space Capabilities
May 2015 ACO Solicitation:
Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships To Advance Emerging Space Technology System Capabilities
May 2015 Tipping Point Solicitation:
Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships to Advance Tipping Point Technologies
November 2015 Combined Tipping Point and ACO Selection Release:
NASA Announces New Public-Private Partnerships to Advance ‘Tipping Point,’ Emerging Space Capabilities
