The NIAC program seeks innovations from diverse and non-traditional sources and NIAC projects study innovative, technically credible, advanced concepts that could one day “change the possible” in aerospace. If you’re interested in submitting a proposal to NIAC, please visit “Apply to NIAC” for information about the status of our current NASA Research Announcement (NRA). For descriptions of current NIAC projects, please refer to our “NIAC Funded Studies” page.
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) is not your typical NASA program. From deep space human exploration to advanced propulsion and robotics, the NIAC program aims to change the possible by supporting early stage space technology research that could radically change the future.
On episode 310, NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts leaders Mike LaPointe and John Nelson discuss unique and interesting solutions to complex spaceflight challenges. This episode was recorded on September 21, 2023.
Space and Things
This week we set sail on a mission to find out more about solar sailing. And we’re joined by Amber Dubill and Dr. Grover Swartzlander to find out more as their work has just been awarded a phase 3 grant as part of the Nasa Innovative Advanced Concepts project.
2022 Planetary Radio
A Mars habitat grown from mushrooms? A lunar farside radio telescope built by robots? Or a kilometer-long space station launched by a single rocket?
2021 Planetary Radio
How we might grow structures on the Moon and Mars from fungi, and solar sails that will pass excruciatingly close to the Sun before they zoom out of our solar system.
NASA Jason Derleth
Jason Derleth discusses visionary concepts that could transform future space missions.
