NASA's future tech: 9 out-of-this-world concepts

Out of this world by Robin Bea March 2, 2021 NASA

NASA The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program funds projects that could shape the future of space exploration. NASA

NASA In Phase I, projects undergo nine months of study to determine their viability. Phase II gives selected projects two years of additional development. NASA

Pat Rawlings/NASA Here are the 9 best concepts from NIAC Phase I this year. Pat Rawlings/NASA

9. Solar System Pony Express

cokada/E+/Getty Images Satellites could connect to a Mars surveyor and quickly transfer data to Earth as they pass between the two planets without advanced propulsion by using a cycler orbit, which places a craft on continuous intersects between Mars and Earth.

8. Extrasolar Object Interceptor and Sample Return Enabled by Compact, Ultra Power Dense Radioisotope Batteries

European Southern Observatory / M. Kornmesser The novel Chargeable Atomic Battery could more safely and cheaply power a spacecraft tasked with intercepting interstellar objects and bringing samples back to Earth for study. European Southern Observatory / M. Kornmesser

7. FLOAT — Flexible Levitation on a Track

NASA Magnetically levitated robots could shuttle material on a flexible track on the moon, removing the need to build roads or replace worn-out moving parts. NASA

6. Kilometer-Scale Space Structures from a Single Launch

Zachary Manchester, graphic by Tzipora Thompson

NurPhoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images Compressed structures loaded on a Falcon Heavy rocket could expand to more than a kilometer in orbit and rotate to create artificial gravity, making them suitable for orbital habitation.

5. ReachBot: Small Robot for Large Mobile Manipulation Tasks in Martian Cave Environments

NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona A robot with extendable arms could explore and sample Martian caves and cliff faces to find older and harder-to-reach material samples. NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

4. SWIM — Sensing with Independent Micro-swimmers

NASA Tiny, wirelessly controlled robots could expand the range of missions to find life on ocean worlds like Europa and Enceladus . NASA

3. Making Soil for Space Habitats by Seeding Asteroids with Fungi

Sven Gärtner/Moment/Getty Images Fungi could be used to break down carbon-rich asteroids and remove toxic substances, turning regolith into usable soil for human habitats.

2. Light Bender

Renato Di Prinzio / 500px/500Px Plus/Getty Images Arrays of telescope optics, lenses, and mirrors on the moon could capture and redirect light to photovoltaic panels , providing power even in deep craters that don't receive direct light.

1. Autonomous Robotic Demonstrator for Deep Drilling (ARD3)

Planet Enterprises / James Vaughan Illustration

ESA/DLR/Freie Universitat Berlin (G. Neukum) A rover could deploy drilling robots to autonomously collect ice from below the surface of Mars , where signs of life may be present. ESA/DLR/Freie Universitat Berlin (G. Neukum)

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