Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Aerogel for Aerogel Core Fission Fragment Rocket Engine.
Image credit: NASA, Ryan Weed

Where do you go for a high-tech look into the future of what’s possibly possible?

Enter the far-out world of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program.

Image credit: NIAC

Be it a Fluidic Telescope (FLUTE) to enable the next generation of large space observatories or pellet-beam propulsion, or a lunar south pole oxygen pipeline, even an aerogel core fission fragment

rocket engine – new NIAC projects are underway.

Graphic depiction of Fluidic Telescope (FLUTE).
Image credit: Edward Balaban

The latest round of NIAC Phase 1 awards will provide $175,000 grants to 14 visionaries.

For more details, go to:

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/niac/2023/