The two companies proposed to offer innovative approaches to the development of large-scale solar arrays and associated deployment mechanisms to reduce weight and stowed volume when compared to current systems.
NASA space technology program director Michael Gazarik said that the proposed technologies will further NASA’s science and exploration horizons.
"Once matured through these ground tests, NASA hopes to test next generation solar array systems in space, opening the door for exploration of a near-Earth asteroid, Mars and beyond," added Gazarik.
Phase one of the project will see the two companies develop their respective solar array system technology over the next 18 months.
In the second phase, the two companies alongside others will test their technologies in space with the intent of testing the technologies for flight readiness through an in-space demonstration of an advanced, modular and extendable solar array system.
The two companies will receive between $5m and $7m as part of the phase 1 awards.
