Open Space 55: Jason Derleth, NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts

TL;DR

NASA's Nayak program supports cutting-edge, high-risk ideas for space exploration, including asteroid mining, space elevators, and the use of innovative materials and technology. The program aims to reduce risk and create technologies that can be incorporated into future missions.

Transcript

go live okay in theory we should be live again so hey everyone welcome to open space at a non-standard time again my guest today is Jason Derleth from NASA's innovative advanced concepts also known as Nayak and I've been wanting to do an interview with the folks at NIACC for a long time and if you don't know what Nayak is I promise I guarantee you'... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ The Nayak program fills a crucial role in NASA by supporting high-risk, high-reward ideas that push the boundaries of space exploration.
• 👾 Novel concepts proposed through Nayak have the potential to impact future missions, such as asteroid mining, space elevators, and innovative materials.
• 👨‍🚀 Cost reduction in launch services, along with resource utilization from space and space-based manufacturing, will revolutionize manned space exploration.
• 😒 The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and results in comprehensive reports that are made accessible online for scientific and public use.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the basis for funding in the Nayak program?

The Nayak program provides funding to researchers who propose new ideas that are ten or more years away from practical use. The projects should have the potential for high payoff and tackle high-risk concepts.

Q: How does the Nayak program encourage innovation?

The Nayak program has a flexible approach, allowing researchers to propose ideas in any area without specific guidelines. This enables them to think outside the box and explore novel concepts that haven't been previously studied.

Q: Can researchers from outside the United States apply for funding?

Yes, foreign nationals working in the United States are eligible to apply for Nayak funding, as long as their funding doesn't come from restricted countries.

Q: How does the Nayak program support technology development and readiness?

The program offers three phases of funding, starting from a small amount for engineering analysis in Phase 1 to larger grants in Phase 2 and Phase 3 for prototypes and reducing risks. The goal is to have technologies that can be implemented in future missions with reduced risk.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nayak is NASA's innovative advanced concepts program that funds high-risk, high-payoff ideas for space and aeronautics.

• Projects that have made their way through Nayak include Breakthrough Starshot, the Starshade, Venus rover concepts, and the exploration of other planetary systems.

• The program provides grants to researchers to conduct engineering analysis and develop new technologies that can reduce risk and improve future missions.