NIAC Studies

NIAC Studies
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Phase I Saptarshi BandyopadhyayDimming the Sun (DimSun) Using Controllable Dust Cloud to Reduce Solar InsolationNASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryPasadena, CA 91109-80012026 Phase I David BugbyCombinatory Architecture offering Neomobility, on-Venus Adaptability, and Survivability (CANVAS)NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryPasadena, CA 91109-80012026 Phase I
Posted July 21, 2026
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
NIAC Studies
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Michael RubensteinNorthwestern University, Chicago We propose a mission to use ~10,000 actively steerable femtosats to map the ring composition, atmospheric composition and density, and the magnetic field distribution of Saturn.
Posted July 21, 2026
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
NIAC Studies
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Austin Phoenix Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State A disaggregated lunar infrastructure requires novel thermal management methods to enable future lunar operations.
Posted July 21, 2026
NIAC Studies
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Pablo Sobron SanchezSETI Institute This proposal explores a new class of reconnaissance spacecraft that map minerals from orbit using Raman spectroscopy during high-speed flybys–without landing, sample return, or extended dwell.
Posted July 21, 2026
Space Technology Mission Directorate
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
NIAC Studies
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Paul StankusBrookhaven Science Associates The scientific goal of the proposed work will be reconstructing the image, ie resolving surface features, of an Earth-like exoplanet around a nearby star as seen in visible light. The innovation is in two stages.
Posted July 21, 2026
Space Technology Mission Directorate
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
NIAC Studies
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Benjamin SchaferRarified Technologies, Inc. We propose a new approach to atmospheric sensing at 30-100 km altitudes using photophoretically levitating tracers. These lightweight structures harness sunlight to remain suspended for up to months at controlled altitudes and can be remotely tracked by satellite-based lidar or radar.
Posted July 21, 2026
NIAC Studies
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Keunhan ParkUniversity of Utah This proposal seeks to develop a transformative energy system — the plasmon-enhanced radioisotope Thermophotovoltaic (PRTPV) generator — that significantly surpasses the performance of current radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) in both specific power and efficiency.
Posted July 21, 2026
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
NIAC Studies
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Marco QuadrelliNASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Humanity has never touched the particles of a planetary ring, but if we were able to get close enough and sample them, it will transform understanding of ring structure and origins for Saturn (dense), Uranus and Neptune (tenuous), rings of other objects such as Centaurs Chariklo and Chiron, and even ear
Posted July 21, 2026
NIAC Studies
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
Paul StankusBrookhaven Science Associates  The scientific goal is to enable a new method for observing gravitational waves at low frequencies, based on the astrometric GW signature — gravitational waves passing by the Earth will cause a (very small) coordinated apparent motion of all sky objects.
Posted July 21, 2026
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program
NIAC Studies
Research and Technology Mission Directorate
David SmithDuke University  The increasing population of spacefaring vehicles and satellites motivates increasingly powerful technologies for space situational awareness (SSA).
Posted July 21, 2026
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