Sunday, March 02, 2025, 3:30AM |  20°
MENU
Advertisement
As hundreds of space engineers mull potential partnerships at the fall Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium in Pittsburgh, the nation's top defense accelerator chose the venue to announce its first portfolio of lunar companies. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency selected 14 companies from hundreds of applicants with ideas about how to travel, build and mine on the moon.
1
MORE

Over the moon: Defense agency picks 14 companies to build space economy

Michael Probst/Associated Press

Over the moon: Defense agency picks 14 companies to build space economy

As hundreds of space engineers mull potential partnerships at the fall Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium in Pittsburgh, the nation's top defense accelerator chose the venue to announce its first portfolio of lunar companies.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency selected 14 companies from hundreds of applicants with ideas about how to travel, build and mine on the moon. Presuming they clear final contract negotiations, each will receive up to $1 million as they work in tandem to deliver solutions over the next seven months.

"The 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) capability study aims to rapidly develop foundational technology concepts that move away from individual scientific efforts," DARPA said in its August request for solicitation.

Advertisement

The inaugural cohort includes power development from Blue Origin, Fibertek and Honeybee Robotics, mining expertise from Sierra Space, Helios and Cislunar Industries, market analysis from Firefly, communication research from Crescent, Nokia Bell Labs and Redwire, transit and mobility from Northrop Gumman and SpaceX, and construction and robotics from Gitai and ICON.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration wants to know how to turn lunar dirt into oxygen as it plans several return missions to the moon.
Evan Robinson-Johnson
NASA wants community solutions to oxygen problem

It was "absolutely essential" to include international participants in that list, Phil Root, director of DARPA’s strategic technology office, said in the announcement.

Astrobotic, which is leading Pittsburgh's involvement in the return to the moon, submitted a proposal but was not selected.

"We were a little surprised we weren't picked," Astrobotic CEO John Thornton said shortly after the announcement.

Advertisement

Companies that weren't selected to participate in LunA-10 can still help define standards for lunar development through another DARPA project announced Wednesday: the Lunar Operating Guidelines for Infrastructure Consortium.

Similar to standards developed for satellites, Mr. Root said a set of rules regulating what gets built on the moon should help "catalyze the commercial economy" there. They will be developed by a broad set of stakeholders.

NASA's chief technologist A.C. Charania praised DARPA for its investments in lunar infrastructure companies, some of which have already been supported by NASA Tipping Point grants. In public remarks following the announcement, he called LunA-10 an "incredible initiative."

Evan Robinson-Johnson: ejohnson@post-gazette.com and @sightsonwheels

First Published: October 11, 2023, 4:41 p.m.
Updated: October 11, 2023, 5:46 p.m.

RELATED
The moon as seen above Pittsburgh on Oct. 4, 2023. Pittsburgh companies are paving the way for a return to the moon 50 years after the Apollo missions as NASA looks to build permanent settlements on the lunar surface.
Evan Robinson-Johnson
Why the U.S. is going back to the moon
SHOW COMMENTS (3)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Joel Blomqvist (30) replaces Alex Nedeljkovic (39) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
1
sports
Another loss, another first-shot goal: Penguins inch close to infamy in bruising loss to Bruins
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Sarasota, Fla.
2
sports
3 takeaways from Pirates' 4-homer effort, spring training win over Orioles
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) throws a pass over Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif.
3
sports
Regardless of starter, Steelers poring over NFL combine for potential late-round QB
Law enforcement respond to the scene of a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
4
news
UPMC hospital shooting puts focus on violence health care workers see 'at an increased rate'
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) reacts near teammate linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) after sacking Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Baltimore.
5
sports
Steelers position analysis: T.J. Watt open to changing his role, but the Steelers have to help him
As hundreds of space engineers mull potential partnerships at the fall Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium in Pittsburgh, the nation's top defense accelerator chose the venue to announce its first portfolio of lunar companies. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency selected 14 companies from hundreds of applicants with ideas about how to travel, build and mine on the moon.  (Michael Probst/Associated Press)
Michael Probst/Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST business
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story