Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress.…

Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, a nonprofit organization specializing in space exploration and planetary science research, has been awarded a $2.42 million cooperative agreement by NASA's Shared Services Center, with an ultimate completion date of October 21, 2027. The contract, awarded on October 22, 2024, supports the execution of a balanced science program aligned with guidance from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, agency administration priorities, and Congressional direction. The work encompasses research focused on the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond, with particular emphasis on identifying cross-disciplinary scientific opportunities and developing target user-focused applied programs in areas including Earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness.

The specific technical effort under this award includes testing and transformation of organics via in-situ extraction, contributing to NASA's broader exploration initiative. The contract is structured as a cooperative agreement without set-aside designation and will be performed at Blue Marble Space's location in Clayton, Delaware. This award reflects the contractor's established track record with NASA in delivering sophisticated scientific research and development services across multiple domains, including astrobiology, planetary science, and space exploration technologies that advance the agency's strategic objectives in human spaceflight and scientific discovery.

Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine, administration priorities, and direction from congress. Participate as a key partner and enabler in the agency s exploration initiative, focusing on scientific research of, on, and from the moon, lunar orbit, mars, and beyond. Advance discovery in emerging fields by identifying and exploiting cross-disciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines develop a directorate-wide, target-user focused approach to applied programs, including earth science applications, space weather, planetary defense, and space situational awareness