New NIAC Proposals Selected
2013 NASA Advanced Technology Phase I Concepts Selected For Study, NASA
“NASA has selected 12 proposals for study under Phase I of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program, which aims to turn science fiction into fact.
The selected proposals include a wide range of imaginative concepts, including 3-D printing of biomaterials, such as arrays of cells; using galactic rays to map the insides of asteroids; and an “eternal flight” platform that could hover in Earth’s atmosphere, potentially providing better imaging, Wi-Fi, power generation, and other applications.”
This round of selections stand as a testament to the total and complete disfunctionality of STMD. The organization is truly a League of Extraordinary Incompetence. Having served on the evaluation boards for several STMD solicitations, I can honestly say that I have never seen such pervasive disregard for the opinions of others. As a NASA employee, I would be the first to vote STMD off the island!
None of these are needed. Maybe sequestration will stop this giveaway. Suspended animation to Mars. Not needed.
NIAC’s budget is small and the awards don’t cover the entire cost of the
research. Before rejecting this program outright I would suggest
attending a conference. It would be a day well spent.