NASA Launches New Framework to Foster Space Tech Innovation through Collaboration

NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) has introduced a five-year Standing Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO), designated as #NNH25ZTR002O, to foster partnerships with the commercial space sector. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of space technologies by providing industry partners access to NASA's resources without financial exchanges.

The ACO serves as a framework for future, topic-specific appendices that NASA plans to issue every six to twelve months, addressing evolving space technology needs. The first of these, Appendix A, was released on July 30, 2025, with proposals due by September 24, 2025. This structure is designed to keep pace with rapid advancements in space technology and to facilitate timely collaborations.

STMD is responsible for developing and demonstrating transformational space technologies that support NASA's missions and benefit the broader aerospace community. By partnering with industry, STMD aims to advance U.S. space technology innovation and competitiveness, foster breakthrough ideas, and inspire a robust aerospace technology community.

The ACO's partnership model emphasizes non-financial collaborations, allowing companies to leverage NASA's expertise, facilities, software, and hardware. This approach is intended to lower barriers for companies, particularly startups and smaller enterprises, enabling them to contribute to space exploration and technology advancement.

To guide its investment strategy, STMD has developed a Strategic Framework aligned with NASA's Moon to Mars Objectives and Science Decadal Surveys. This framework provides insight into technologies and capabilities of interest, ensuring that collaborations address critical mission needs. In 2024, STMD initiated a collaborative process to integrate the aerospace community's technical challenges, resulting in the publication of 187 technology shortfalls requiring further development. This ranked list informs STMD's investment decisions and the development of capability goals and technology roadmaps.

The ACO represents a significant step in fostering public-private partnerships in space technology development. By enabling industry partners to access NASA's resources without financial exchanges, the initiative is expected to accelerate innovation, reduce development costs, and enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. aerospace sector on a global scale.

NASA has a history of engaging with private industry to advance space technology. Previous initiatives, such as the Tipping Point program, have successfully leveraged public-private partnerships to mature promising technologies. The Standing ACO builds upon these efforts by providing a structured, long-term framework for ongoing collaboration, reflecting NASA's commitment to adapting its partnership models to the evolving landscape of space exploration and commercialization.

As the ACO progresses, it is anticipated to yield significant advancements in space technology, benefiting both commercial and governmental applications. The collaborative approach underscores NASA's dedication to innovation and its recognition of the vital role that industry partnerships play in achieving the agency's mission objectives.