The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) is a NASA program for development of far reaching, long term advanced concepts by "creating breakthroughs, radically better or entirely new aerospace concepts".[1] It funds work on revolutionary aeronautics and space concepts that can dramatically impact how NASA develops and conducts its missions. The program operated under the name NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts from 1998 until 2007 (managed by the Universities Space Research Association on behalf of NASA), and was reestablished in 2011 under the name NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts and continues to the present.
History
The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) was a NASA-funded program that was operated by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) for NASA from 1998 until its closure on 31 August 2007. NIAC was to serve as "an independent open forum, a high-level point of entry to NASA for an external community of innovators, and an external capability for analysis and definition of advanced aeronautics and space concepts to complement the advanced concept activities conducted within NASA."[2]
NIAC sought proposals for revolutionary aeronautics and space concepts to dramatically impact how NASA developed and conducted its missions. NIAC provided a highly visible, recognizable, and high-level entry point for outside thinkers and researchers. It encouraged proposers to think decades into the future in pursuit of concepts that would "leapfrog" the evolution of contemporary aerospace systems. These concepts were expected to be based on sound scientific principles and attainable within a 10 to 40-year time frame.
NIAC received a total of 1,309 proposals and awarded 126 Phase I grants and 42 Phase II contracts for a total value of $27.3 million from February 1998 to 2007.[3]
NASA announced on March 1, 2011 that the NIAC concept would be re-established at NASA with similar goals,[4][5] maintaining the acronym NIAC.
NIAC 1998–2007
Studies funded by the original NIAC 1998–2007 include
On July 2, 2007, NIAC announced that "NASA, faced with the constraints of achieving the Vision for Space Exploration, has made the difficult decision to terminate NIAC, which has been funded by NASA since inception. Effective August 31, 2007, the original NIAC organization ceased operations.[6]
Revised NIAC
Following the termination of the original NIAC program, Congress requested a review of the NIAC program by the United States National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences.[7] The review was done in 2009, and concluded that in order to achieve its mission, NASA needs "a mechanism to investigate visionary, far-reaching advanced concepts," and recommended that NIAC, or a NIAC-like program, should be reestablished.[2] Consistent with this recommendation, it was announced on March 1, 2011 that the NIAC was to be revived with similar goals[4] leading to the establishment in 2011 of a project within the NASA Office of Chief Technologist, the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts,[5] maintaining the acronym NIAC. It is now part of the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).[8]
According to Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program, "Through the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program, NASA is taking the long-term view of technological investment and the advancement that is essential for accomplishing our missions. We are inventing the ways in which next-generation aircraft and spacecraft will change the world and inspiring Americans to take bold steps."[9]
2011 NIAC Project Selections
The revived NIAC, with the slightly-changed name "NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts," funded thirty phase-I studies in 2011 to investigate advanced concepts.[10][11]
Duda, Kevin: Variable Vector Countermeasure Suit (V2Suit) for Space Habitation and Exploration
Ferguson, Scott: Enabling All-Access Mobility for Planetary Exploration Vehicles via Transformative Reconfiguration
Gilland, James: The Potential for Ambient Plasma Wave Propulsion
Gregory, Daniel: Space Debris Elimination (SpaDE)
Hogue, Michael: Regolith Derived Heat Shield for a Planetary Body Entry and Descent System with In-Situ Fabrication
Hohman, Kurt: Atmospheric Breathing Electric Thruster for Planetary Exploration
Howe, Steven: Economical Radioisotope Power
Khoshnevis, Behrokh: Contour Crafting Simulation Plan for Lunar Settlement Infrastructure Build-Up
Kwiat, Paul: Entanglement-assisted Communication System for NASA's Deep-Space Missions: Feasibility Test and Conceptual Design
Mankins, John: SPS-ALPHA: The First Practical Solar Power Satellite via Arbitrarily Large PHased Array
Miller, David: High-temperature Superconductors as Electromagnetic Deployment and Support Structures in Spacecraft
Paul, Michael: Non-Radioisotope Power Systems For Sunless Solar System Exploration Missions
Pavone, Marco: Spacecraft/Rover Hybrids for the Exploration of Small Solar System Bodies
Ritter, Joe: Ultra-Light "Photonic Muscle" Space Structures
Scott, Gregory: Low Power Microrobotics Utilizing Biologically Inspired Energy Generation
Short, Kendra: Printable Spacecraft
Sibille, Laurent: In-Space Propulsion Engine Architecture based on Sublimation of Planetary Resources: from exploration robots to NEO mitigation
Silvera, Isaac: Metallic Hydrogen: A Game Changing Rocket Propellant
Slough, John: Nuclear Propulsion through Direct Conversion of Fusion Energy
Staehle, Robert: Interplanetary CubeSats: Opening the Solar System to a Broad Community at Lower Cost
Strekalov, Dmitry: Ghost Imaging of Space Objects
Stysley, Paul: Laser-Based Optical Trap for Remote Sampling of Interplanetary and Atmospheric Particulate Matter
Swartzlander, Grover: Steering of Solar Sails Using Optical Lift Force
Thibeault, Sheila: Radiation Shielding Materials Containing Hydrogen, Boron, and Nitrogen: Systematic Computational and Experimental Study
Tripathi, Ram: Meeting the Grand Challenge of Protecting Astronaut's Health: Electrostatic Active Space Radiation Shielding for Deep Space Missions
Werka, Robert: Proposal for a Concept Assessment of a Fission Fragment Rocket Engine (FFRE) Propelled Spacecraft
Westover, Shayne: Radiation Protection and Architecture Utilizing High Temperature Superconducting Magnets
Whittaker, William: Technologies Enabling Exploration of Skylights, Lava Tubes and Caves
Wie, Bong: Optimal Dispersion of Near-Earth Objects
2012 NIAC Project Selections
In August 2012, NIAC announced[12] selection of 18 new phase-I proposals, along with Phase-II grants for continuation of 10 projects selected in earlier solicitations.[9] These include many projects ranging from Landsailing rovers on Venus[13] to schemes to explore under the ice of Europa.[14] Phase I projects selected were:[15]
Agogino, Adrian: Super Ball Bot - Structures for Planetary Landing and Exploration
Arrieta, Juan: The Regolith Biters: A Divide-And-Conquer Architecture for Sample-Return Missions
Cohen, Marc: Robotic Asteroid Prospector (RAP) Staged from L-1: Start of the Deep Space Economy
Ditto, Thomas: HOMES - Holographic Optical Method for Exoplanet Spectroscopy
Flynn, Michael: Water Walls: Highly Reliable and Massively Redundant Life Support Architecture
Gellett, Wayne: Solid State Air Purification System
Hoyt, Robert: NanoTHOR: Low-Cost Launch of Nanosatellites to Deep Space
Hoyt, Robert: SpiderFab: Process for On-Orbit Construction of Kilometer-Scale Apertures
Kirtley, David: A Plasma Aerocapture and Entry System for Manned Missions and Planetary Deep Space Orbiters
Landis, Geoffrey: Venus Landsailing Rover
Lantoine, Gregory: MAGNETOUR: Surfing Planetary Systems on Electromagnetic and Multi-Body Gravity Fields
McCue, Leigh: Exploration of Under-Ice Regions with Ocean Profiling Agents (EUROPA)
Nosanov, Jeffrey: Solar System Escape Architecture for Revolutionary Science (SSEARS)
Predina, Joseph: NIST in Space: Better Remote Sensors for Better Science
Quadrelli, Marco: Orbiting Rainbows: Optical Manipulation of Aerosols and the Beginnings of Future Space Construction
Saif, Babak: Atom Interferometry for detection of Gravity Waves-a
Winglee, Robert: Sample Return Systems for Extreme Environments
Zha, GeCheng: Silent and Efficient Supersonic Bi-Directional Flying Wing
2013 NIAC Project Selections
In 2013 NIAC conducted a third solicitation for proposals, with projects to start in the summer of 2013.[16] NASA selected 12 phase-I projects with a wide range of imaginative concepts, including 3-D printing of biomaterials, such as arrays of cells; using galactic rays to map the insides of asteroids; and an "eternal flight" platform that could hover in Earth's atmosphere, potentially providing better imaging, Wi-Fi, power generation, and other applications.[17] They selected 6 phase II projects, including photonic laser thrusters, extreme sample return, and innovative spherical robots designed for planetary exploration.[18]
Jerred, Nathan: Dual-mode Propulsion System Enabling CubeSat Exploration of the Solar System
Longman, Anthony: Growth Adapted Tensegrity Structures - A New Calculus for the Space Economy
Moore, Mark: Eternal Flight as the Solution for 'X'
Prettyman, Thomas: Deep Mapping of Small Solar System Bodies with Galactic Cosmic Ray Secondary Particle Showers
Rothschild, Lynn: Biomaterials out of thin air: in situ, on-demand printing of advanced biocomposites
Rovey, Joshua: Plasmonic Force Propulsion Revolutionizes Nano/PicoSatellite Capability
Stoica, Adrian: Transformers For Extreme Environments
2014 NIAC Project Selections
In 2013, NIAC conducted a fourth solicitation, and selected 12 projects for Phase-1 studies and 5 projects to continue on to phase II projects.[20] Projects selected include a study of hibernation for astronauts[21] and a submarine operating on Saturn's moon Titan[22]
Cash, Webster: The Aragoscope: Ultra-High Resolution Optics at Low Cost
Chen, Bin: 3D Photocatalytic Air Processor for Dramatic Reduction of Life Support Mass & Complexity
Hoyt, Robert: WRANGLER: Capture and De-Spin of Asteroids and Space Debris
Matthies, Larry: Titan Aerial Daughtercraft
Miller, Timothy: Using the Hottest Particles in the Universe to Probe Icy Solar System Worlds
Nosanov, Jeffrey: PERISCOPE: PERIapsis Subsurface Cave OPtical Explorer
Oleson, Steven: Titan Submarine: Exploring the Depths of Kraken
Ono, Masahiro: Comet Hitchhiker: Harvesting Kinetic Energy from Small Bodies to Enable Fast and Low-Cost Deep Space Exploration
Streetman, Brett: Exploration Architecture with Quantum Inertial Gravimetry and In Situ ChipSat Sensors
Wiegmann, Bruce: Heliopause Electrostatic Rapid Transit System (HERTS)
2015 NIAC Project Selections
The 2015 Phase-1 projects included a hopping vehicle to visit Triton[24] and others,[25] and seven phase two projects.[26] Phase I projects selected were:[27]
Engblom, William: Virtual Flight Demonstration of Stratospheric Dual-Aircraft Platform
Graf, John: Thirsty Walls - A new paradigm for air revitalization in life support
Hecht, Michael: A Tall Ship and a Star to Steer Her By
Lewis, John: In-Space Manufacture of Storable Propellants
Lubin, Philip: Directed Energy Propulsion for Interstellar Exploration (DEEP-IN)
Oleson, Steven: Triton Hopper: Exploring Neptune's Captured Kuiper Belt Object
Peck, Mason: Soft-Robotic Rover with Electrodynamic Power Scavenging
Plescia, Jeffrey: Seismic Exploration of Small Bodies
John Mather: Hybrid Observatory for Earth-like Exoplanets (HOEE)
Marcin Pilinski: In-situ Neutral-Optics Velocity Analyzer for Thermospheric Exploration (INOVATE)
Jonathan Sauder: Starburst: A Revolutionary Under-Constrained Adaptable Deployable Structure Architecture
Sara Seager: Venus Atmosphere and Cloud Particle Sample Return for Astrobiology
Mahmooda Sultana: SCOPE: ScienceCraft for Outer Planet Exploration
In addition, five projects were selected for continuation into Phase II:
Javid Bayandor: BREEZE- Bioinspired Ray for Extreme Environments and Zonal Exploration
Zac Manchester: Kilometer-Scale Space Structures from a Single Launch
E Nemanick: Atomic Planar Power for Lightweight Exploration (APPLE)
Marco Pavone: ReachBot: Small Robot for Large Mobile Manipulation Tasks in Martian Cave Environments
Ethan Schaler: SWIM- Sensing with Independent Micro-swimmers
Also, one project was selected for continuation into Phase III:
Amber Dubill: Diffractive Solar Sailing
2023 NIAC Project Selections
The fourteen projects selected for Phase I were:[35]
Edward Balaban: Fluidic Telescope (FLUTE): Enabling the Next Generation of Large Space Observatories
Igor Bargatin: Photophoretic Propulsion Enabling Mesosphere Exploration
Theresa Benyo: Accessing Icy World Oceans Using Lattice Confinement Fusion Fast Fission
Zachary Cordero: Bend-Forming of Large Electrostatically Actuated Space Structures
Peter Curreri: Lunar South Pole Oxygen Pipeline
Artur Davoyan: Pellet-Beam Propulsion for Breakthrough Space Exploration
Ryan Gosse: New Class of Bimodal NTP/NEP with a Wave Rotor Topping Cycle Enabling Fast Transit to Mars
Congrui Jin: Biomineralization-Enabled Self-Growing Building Blocks for Habitat Outfitting on Mars
Mary Knapp: Great Observatory for Long Wavelengths (GO-LoW)
Quinn Morley: TitanAir: Leading-Edge Liquid Collection to Enable Cutting-Edge Science
Christopher Morrison: EmberCore Flashlight: Long Distance Lunar Characterization with Intense Passive X- and Gamma-ray Source
Heidi Newberg: Diffractive Interfero Coronagraph Exoplanet Resolver (DICER): Detecting and Characterizing All Earth-Like Exoplanets Orbiting Sun-Like Stars Within 10 pc
Stephen Polly: Radioisotope Thermoradiative Cell Power Generator
Ryan Weed: Aerogel Core Fission Fragment Rocket Engine
In addition, six projects were selected for continuation into Phase II:
Darmindra Arumugam: Quantum Rydberg Radar for Surface, Topography, and Vegetation
Steven Barrett: Silent, Solid-State Propulsion for Advanced Air Mobility Vehicles
Philip Lubin: PI – Planetary Defense
Christopher Morrison: The Nyx Mission to Observe the Universe from Deep Space – Enabled by EmberCore, a High Specific Power RadioisotopeElectric Propulsion System
Ronald Polidan: FarView Observatory – A Large, In-Situ Manufactured, Lunar Far Side Radio Array
Lynn Rothschild: A Flexible, Personalized, On-Demand Astropharmacy
No projects were selected for continuation into Phase III.
2024 NIAC Project Selections
The thirteen projects selected for Phase I were:[36]
Matthew McQuinn: Solar System-Scale VLBI to Dramatically Improve Cosmological Distance Measurements
^NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts, 9th Annual & Final Report, 2006-2007, Performance Period July 12, 2006 - August 31, 2007 (page 9, Executive Summary, 4th paragraph)
