The NASA innovative advanced concepts (niac) program focuses on early-stage feasibility studies of visionary concepts that address national government and commercial aerospace goals

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center awarded Stone Aerospace, Inc. $166,690 on April 20, 2026, under the Space Technology Mission Directorate's NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program (CFDA 43.012) for an early-stage feasibility study on visionary space technology concepts addressing national government and commercial aerospace goals.

Work is performed in Del Valle, Austin, Texas, with a period of performance running through April 19, 2027. Stone Aerospace, a Texas-based small disadvantaged business, develops cryobots, thermal management systems, and propulsion technologies for subsurface space exploration. The NIAC program focuses on early-stage feasibility studies of visionary concepts from any field of study that offer radical innovation potential. Stone Aerospace operates the Europa Tower cryo-vac-ice chamber facility as a sub-recipient on university-led research grants, hosting experiments on biosignature preservation in extreme radiation and cryogenic conditions simulating Europa and Enceladus environments.

Concepts are solicited from any field of study that offers a radica