How does NASA prioritize space technology development?

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) leads the development, demonstration, and infusion of transformational technologies that enhance NASA’s efforts to explore the unknown in space, benefit life on Earth, and solve critical stakeholder needs. STMD is refining its strategy for prioritizing technology investments, with the goal of evolving into a stronger and more resilient national tech base for civil space. 

In spring 2024, STMD kicked off an annual process for gathering feedback from the American aerospace community about their most pressing shortfalls, or identified technology areas requiring further development to meet future exploration, science, and other mission needs. The shortfall feedback will help produce an integrated list of prioritized civil space shortfalls, which will help guide STMD projects and investments.

Through this prioritization effort, STMD will improve its ability to advance U.S. competitiveness, drive economic growth, and foster diverse talent to solve our nation’s toughest technology challenges. 

How can you contribute?

NASA is asking the American aerospace community for feedback on nearly 190 national technology needs – or shortfalls – it has identified for future space exploration and science endeavors.   

Businesses, organizations, agencies, academic institutions, and individuals with a stake in space technology can review the shortfall list and descriptions today and give feedback starting April 16.

The NASA workforce can submit feedback on the shortfalls via the NASA Spark platform. 

For more information: 

NASA hosted an informational webinar about the shortfall strategy, process, and feedback opportunity on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 4 p.m. EDT. You can view a video recording of this webinar here.

If you have additional questions, contact hq-techport@mail.nasa.gov. 

How will STMD use your feedback? 

When the inaugural feedback window closes, NASA will process the data to aggregate a prioritized shortfall list. NASA will make the final list available to stakeholders and the public this summer.