San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
NASA to pay up to $44M for 10 commercial projects
In an effort to expand NASA’s space exploration goals, the agency is funding 10 commercial projects, including new technology for lunar lander propulsion and deep-space rocket engines.
“NASA is going back to the moon and on to Mars in a measured, sustainable way,” said
Jim Reuter, acting associate administrator for the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, during a teleconfer- ence. “It is American innovation that will lead the way … and we’re providing another opportunity to expand existing partnerships with commercial companies.”
The space agency announced Wednesday that it will provide up to $44 million for the projects, which “have the potential to significantly benefit the commercial space economy and future NASA missions,” according to a space agency statement.
These are projects, Reuter said, that may not have been developed without the agency’s help.
This is the third year NASA has awarded funding through its Tipping Point solicitation, but there is a heightened focus this year due to President Donald Trump’s push to return to the moon as a stepping stone for a mission to Mars.
His $19.9 billion budget proposal for NASA tasks the agency with sending Americans around the moon in 2023, while also setting aside $504.2 million in the coming year to begin working on the foundation of a $2.7 billion Lunar Orbital Plat- form-Gateway — basically, a mini-space station orbiting the moon where astronauts could live and work. In April, NASA abruptly ended a $250 million rover mission meant to find water on the moon.
Six companies were awarded funds. Three of the 10 projects — being developed by Washington state-based Blue Origin, Colorado-based United Launch Alliance and Pennsylvaniabased Astrobotic Technology — received $10 million each, while the rest received smaller amounts.
Blue Origin’s $10 million project will “mature” cryogenic liquid propulsion through technologies in a lunar landerscaled integrated propulsion system; ULA’s will develop an integrated vehicle fluids system that allows for extended duration operations for lunar landers by taking “advantage of available liquid hydrogen and oxygen on moon,” Reuter said; and Astrobotic’s will develop a low-cost, reliable and highperformance navigation system “designed to precisely land
“I’m old school. I like to see what I’m buying,” rather than purchasing online, Videan said.
Zachary Miller, a store team leader, said Target has a “school list assistant” function on its website to help online consumers ensure the items they buy are tax exempt. A list of exempt items is at the store’s guest services counter and on the Texas Comptroller website.
“This is going to be a big weekend for us. It’s an action-packed month,” with the nearby University of Texas at San Antonio starting classes Aug. 21, Miller said.
Sara Quiñones left the store with a full cart of tissues, folders, highlighters, glue, crayons and other supplies. In all, she planned to spend some $500 to get her son, 10, and daughter, 7, ready for school. Weighing the pros and cons, Quiñones has embraced the tax holiday.
“I used to not take advantage of it. But because of the savings I do now. Every little bit helps,” she said.
Nan Palmero, a consumer advocate and selfdescribed “deal hunter,” said parents can increase their savings to up to 20 percent, using cash-back websites such as Ebates or CouponCabin for online purchases of goods that be delivered or picked up at a store. Using a rewards credit card increases the savings, he said. Some- times, instead of cash back, a buyer can accept a gift card of greater value.
“You can get another bonus on your bonus,” Palmero said. “If you know what you’re doing, you can earn cash back and still save your 8¼ percent. Just read the terms and conditions.”
Videan was pleased just to be able to take home a bow tie, an exempt item, for her younger grandson.
“They had it in stock. And he wants to wear it for the first day of school,” she said.