This federal contract award is for the Lunar Polar Gas-Dynamic Mining Outpost (LGMO) research, a breakthrough mission architecture to enable affordable lunar resource extraction and industrialization. The award was made to Trans Astronautica Corporation (Transastra), a self-certified small disadvantaged business and manufacturer, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The LGMO research and development project is focused on two key innovations: (1) using deployable solar arrays in perpetual lunar sunlight to provide continuous power for a lunar outpost, and (2) developing radiant gas dynamic (RGD) mining technology to extract large quantities of volatile materials like water ice from lunar regolith. This technology aims to overcome the challenges of mechanical digging and excavation on the Moon. The $124,981.66 grant will support Transastra's work to advance these capabilities, which could enable a sustainable lunar economy by providing critical resources like propellant. No set-aside designation was used for this award.
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