NASA has announced a new round of opportunities through the agency’s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) for CubeSat developers, including educational institutions, to conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations in space and contribute to the agency’s exploration goals.

“Small satellites such as CubeSats play a valuable role in the agency’s educational, science, and technology investigations, including planetary exploration, Earth observation, and fundamental Earth and space science,” said Bradley Smith, director of launch services within the Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “They are a cornerstone in the development of cutting-edge NASA technologies, such as laser communications, satellite-to-satellite communications, and autonomous movement.”

With a renewed emphasis on education, the next round of NASA’s CSLI opportunities is providing access to low-Earth orbit for U.S. educational institutions, nonprofits with an education or outreach component, and NASA centers and programs for workforce development. Developers can gain hands-on experience designing, building, and operating these small research satellites.

Applicants must submit proposals by 4:30 p.m. EST, November 18, 2022. NASA anticipates making selections by March 17, 2023, for flight opportunities in 2024–2027, although selection does not guarantee a launch opportunity. Designs that include restrictive orbit requirements may limit launch opportunities and lead to later-than-desired launch dates. Applicants are responsible for funding the development of the small satellites.

CSLI is managed by NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. For more information about NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative, visit https://go.nasa.gov/CubeSat_initiative.