The dual use technology development program s objective is to create partnerships with U.S. Industry and academic/non-profit organizations that complement the technology development interests of…

The University of South Carolina has been awarded an $80,301 cooperative agreement by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center under the Dual Use Technology Development Program. Designated as CAN24-128, the project focuses on the creation of a multiphysics simulation environment for improving nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) fuel reliability and performance. The award, effective November 1, 2024, with a completion date of March 31, 2026, supports collaborative research between NASA and academic institutions to develop technologies that serve both civilian space exploration objectives and broader applications. This cooperative agreement reflects NASA's commitment to partnering with universities to advance critical propulsion technologies while leveraging shared resources and complementary research interests.

The Dual Use Technology Development Program facilitates partnerships where NASA provides financial support to academic and non-profit organizations developing technologies that align with the agency's public mission objectives. As a public research university with extensive federal research capabilities, USC is well-positioned to contribute to advanced propulsion system development. The project will be performed in Columbia, South Carolina, and represents no set-aside designation, indicating the award was made based on competitive merit. This effort contributes to NASA's long-term objectives in advanced propulsion systems while enabling academic research that may have broader commercial and scientific applications.

The dual use technology development program s objective is to create partnerships with U.S. Industry and academic/non-profit organizations that complement the technology development interests of msfc and NASA. The goal is to support collaborative, resource-sharing projects where the NASA partner is developing a technology primarily for its own public purposes, and NASA can provide financial support or other assistance.