The report analyzes NASA’s long history of commercial space support.

NASA released a new report Thursday highlighting 17 agency mechanisms that have directly and indirectly supported the development and growth of the U.S. commercial space sector for the benefit of humanity.

The report, titled “Enabling America on the Space Frontier: The Evolution of NASA’s Commercial Space Development Toolkit,” is available on NASA’s website.

“This is the most extensive and comprehensive historical analysis NASA has produced of how NASA has contributed to commercial space exploration over the decades,” said Alex MacDonald, NASA’s chief economist. “These efforts have given NASA regular access to space in collaboration with companies like SpaceX and Rocket Lab, modernized communications infrastructure, and even delivered the first commercial lunar lander thanks to Intuitive Machines. It led to.

“As growth in the commercial space accelerates, this report helps agency leaders and stakeholders evaluate the numerous mechanisms agencies are using to support this growth now and in the future. It will be helpful.”

Throughout its history, NASA has supported the development of the commercial space sector. In addition to leading the way in areas such as satellite communications, launch, and remote sensing, we have also worked to develop new contracting and operating models to foster commercial participation and growth.

Over the past 30 years, NASA has seen the results of these efforts with commercial partners enable them to better contribute to NASA’s domain-wide missions, and the agency has developed an increasing number of agency-led initiatives to leverage, develop, and integrate these capabilities. We have seen the results of innovative efforts. These capabilities support agency mission needs and have dramatically increased in importance, according to the report.

Over four distinct periods in NASA’s history, NASA has fostered commercial space technologies, companies, people, and ideas that have contributed to the U.S. and global economies.

1915-1960: NASA’s predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), and the pre-Apollo era of NASA. 1961-1980: Apollo Era. 1981-2010: The era of the space shuttle. 2011-present: The post-shuttle commercial era.

Each of these time periods is defined by key technologies, programs, or economic trends detailed in the report.

Some of these mechanisms are relatively recent, while others have been used throughout NASA and NACA history, so there is some overlap. The 17 mechanisms are:

Contracts and Partnership Agreements Research and Technology Development (R&TD) Dissemination of Research and Scientific Data Education and Workforce Development Workforce External Engagement and Mobility Technology Transfer Technology Support to Enabling Launch Infrastructure Direct Space Support Standards and Regulations Framework Support Public Engagement Industry Engagement Venture Capital Engagement Market Activation Funding Economic Analysis and Due Diligence Capabilities Storytelling Encouragement

NASA supports commercial space exploration in everything from spaceflight to the supply chain. Small satellite capabilities are inspiring a new generation of space startups, and new small rockets and new programs are just getting started. Examples include Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), commercial low-Earth orbit destinations, human landing systems, commercial development of NASA spacesuits, and lunar probes. The report also details the many indirect ways the institution has contributed to the vibrancy of commercial spaces, from economic analysis to student engagement.

The agency’s use of commercial capabilities has progressed from the exception to the default practice in many missions. In the current post-Shuttle era of NASA-supported commercial space exploration, technological development is taking place at a level comparable to the space race of the Apollo era. The future deployment of 17 commercial space exploration mechanisms is part of NASA’s mission to continue to encourage commercial space activities.