ISSUE: 71 | March 2024

In This Issue

News 

࡟ ICYMI: New contracts for commercial flight providers

Community of Practice 

࡟ April 3: Camera use in flight testing payloads

Lessons from the Launchpad

࡟ Advice for payload development

Opportunities

࡟ In-space production research

Resources

࡟ SmallSat Community of Practice webinars

Events

࡟ Apr. 8-11: Space Symposium • Colorado Springs

࡟ Apr. 23-24: Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Spring Meeting • Laurel, Maryland

࡟ Apr. 23-25: CubeSat Developers Workshop • San Luis Obispo, California

Enjoy!

The Flight Opportunities team
News

NASA Awards New Contracts to Commercial Flight Providers

In case you missed it, NASA recently selected 15 companies to provide flight and payload integration 

services for technology payloads aboard vehicles that provide access to high altitudes, reduced 

gravity, or other relevant environments required to test the technologies and advance their readiness.

Managed by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program, in collaboration 

with the Small Spacecraft Technology program, these contracts 

are for use by NASA and other government agencies as well as by 

external researchers that the government is supporting.

The types of platforms that will be used to test payloads under these 

new contracts include:

࡟ Suborbital rocket-powered vehicles

࡟ High-altitude balloons

࡟ Orbital platforms that can host payloads

NASA also has a contract for microgravity flight services using 

aircraft that can achieve brief periods of reduced gravity via parabolic 

maneuvers.

Visit the NASA-Contracted Flight Providers webpage to learn more.

Purdue engineering student Stefanie Duessler 

assists Professor Steven Collicott with the sealing 

of an experiment containment system. Credits: 

Purdue University

Community of Practice Webinar

Researcher Roundtable: Best Practices for Camera Use in Flight Test 

Payloads

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | 10:00-11:00 a.m. PST 

Join the conversation! This month, the Flight Opportunities team will facilitate a discussion for 

researchers to engage with each other and share their experiences using cameras to gather data on a 

variety of flight test platforms.

The discussion will encompass an overview of cameras used, environmental issues to consider in 

camera selection, as well as common pitfalls and lessons learned (e.g., securing memory cards, 

recording tips, and best practices for lenses). 

What sorts of camera topics would you like to see covered during this session? Email us at NASAFlightOpportunities@mail.nasa.gov.

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device 

Click here to join the meeting

Or call-in (audio only):

+1 256-715-9946 • Phone Conference ID: 573 645 751#

See all Community of Practice webinars.
Lessons from the Launchpad

Advice as You Develop Payloads for Flight Testing

During our past Community of Practice webinars, 

researchers have shared their insights on developing 

payloads for flight testing. Consider the following:

࡟ Communicate with your Flight 

Opportunities campaign manager 

frequently: Your campaign manager can help 

you have the most successful flight possible. 

They have experience working with many 

researchers and flight providers. (Hear more 

about campaign managers’ insights.)

࡟ Keep in touch with your flight provider:

Discuss the specific requirements for your 

experiment with your flight provider. Leverage 

their expertise by asking detailed questions 

to confirm you are meeting all requirements 

laid out in their documentation. (Hear more 

about payload integration packages.)

࡟ Take advantage of the flight vehicle’s 

unique capabilities: Consider the 

environment the flight vehicle will experience, 

and plan to gather as much relevant data 

as possible to maximize the flight test 

opportunity. (Hear more about planning for 

comprehensive data gathering.)

More tips for payload development are available in our Lessons Learned Library.

Access and download our entire Lessons Learned Library.

Cal Poly Pomona student Zachary Gaines (center) 

prepares a payload for flight. Credits: Aerostar
Opportunities

Concept Summaries Due May 2: In-Space Advanced Materials and 

Manufacturing Research (NLRA 2024-6)

The Center for the Advancement of 

Science in SpaceTM (CASISTM), in 

coordination with NASA, has released 

a new ISS National Lab Research 

Announcement (NLRA). NLRA 2024-6

seeks proposals for applied research 

and development to demonstrate spacebased manufacturing/production of 

advanced materials or technologies only 

attainable in microgravity.

Awardees may receive funding to support 

the development – and mission integration 

and operations – for projects that will be 

implemented aboard the International 

Space Station.

Focusing on research concepts for which 

space-based testing can uniquely enable 

solutions to known challenges and the 

creation of new products and business opportunities, the objective is to use the station’s unique 

environment to develop, test, or mature products and processes that have a demonstrated potential to 

produce near-term, positive direct or indirect economic impact.

Learn more about submitting your concept summary by May 2, 2024.

NASA astronaut Megan McArthur works in the Microgravity Science Glovebox 

on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

Resources

Small Spacecraft Community of Practice Monthly Webinars

NASA’s Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) 

hosts a monthly public webinar series to share information 

on the relevant work of NASA, partner agencies, and other 

members of the community. (These excellent sessions 

inspired the Flight Opportunities program’s own webinar 

series.)

Speakers at the S3VI webinars present on a wide variety 

of small spacecraft topics, including all phases of mission 

design, development, and operations; regulatory and 

process-oriented requirements; exploration and scientific 

strategies; and opportunities for the community.

Learn more and subscribe to receive announcements of S3VI webinars.
Events

Space Symposium

Apr. 8-11, 2024 • Colorado Springs, Colorado

Join the Flight Opportunities program manager, Danielle McCulloch, at this forum to discuss, 

address, and plan for future achievements in space. With a focus on international, commercial, 

emergent space, and national security, the Space Symposium delivers networking and engagement 

opportunities with the global space community. Over 10,000 space professionals attend every year..

Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Spring Meeting

Apr. 23-24, 2024 • Laurel, Maryland

Join Flight Opportunities team members at LSIC’s 2024 Spring Meeting. With a focus on engaging the 

community on how to return to the Moon together, the meeting will cover NASA’s plans and updates, 

infusion paths, partnerships, and current technology investments. The agenda includes invited 

speakers, panels, focus area discussions, lightning talks, and posters. Let us know if you’re attending!

CubeSat Developers Workshop

Apr. 23-25, 2024 • San Luis Obispo, California

This annual three-day global conference brings together CubeSat developers to share ideas and 

experiences in developing small spacecraft. Other topics covered at the workshop include the status 

and availability of launch vehicles, new technology, and community communication. Join members of 

NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate – including the Small Spacecraft Technology and Flight 

Opportunities programs – at this workshop.

Have ideas or feedback for the Flight Opportunities newsletter? 

Drop us a line at: 

NASA-FlightOpportunities@mail.nasa.gov

STAY CONNECTED: 

NASA Flight Opportunities Program

Flight Opportunities is part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.

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