Attention All Rocket Scientist! $3 Million Nano-Sat Challenge Announcement.

Space Florida established the Space Florida Small Satellite Research Center (SFSSRC) as a non-profit entity to support sponsored research efforts in small satellite utilization and to conduct the Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge (Challenge) as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Centennial Challenge Program. The Challenge will be conducted during 2013 and the winner of the Challenge will be selected by a panel of independent judges, convened by the SFSSRC with the concurrence of NASA, and based on objective criteria and rules agreed upon by SFSSRC and NASA.

 The purpose of the Challenge is to bring forth innovations in propulsion and other technologies, as well as operations and management relevant to safe, low-cost, small payload delivery system for frequent access to Earth Orbit. These technologies will be beneficial to broader applications in future launch systems and commercial capability for dedicated launches of small satellites at a cost comparable to secondary payload launches—a potential new market with Government, commercial, and academic customers. The Challenge will be conducted in a safe manner and in full compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.

 The Nano-Satellite Launch Challenge will result in a maximum total amount of NASA awards of $3,000,000 (three million U.S. dollars) paid directly by NASA to the eligible winner(s) of the Challenge. SFSSRC may attract additional prize funding from other sources, subject to NASA’s prior concurrence. SFSSRC is receiving no funding from NASA to perform its management responsibilities of this Challenge.

  Objectives:

• Safe, low-cost, small payload delivery system for frequent access to Earth orbit.
• Innovations in propulsion and other technologies as well as operations and management for broader applications in future launch systems.
• A commercial capability for dedicated launches of small satellites at a cost comparable to secondary payload launches--a potential new market with Government, commercial, and academic customers.

Prize Purse:

$3 million is available from the Centennial Challenges Program. If additional prize funds become available from the Government or other sources, a second-place prize and supplemental prizes might be offered for the primary objective or additional accomplishments.

http://www.spaceflorida.gov/nano-sat-launch-challenge