Every year, NASA’s Space Technology Research Grants (STRG) program provides researchers across the country with the opportunity to embark on journeys of discovery. These endeavors are made possible through funding from NASA’s Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity (NSTGRO) selections, with the aim of unearthing innovations that will not only advance future research but also enrich the careers of those involved.

In 2023, the STRG program achieved a significant milestone by awarding its thousandth grant in the most recent NSTGRO cohort. This program is designed to support a wide range of academic researchers, from graduate students to senior faculty, through five unique solicitations. Its mission is to explore ideas and approaches crucial to enhancing the effectiveness, affordability, and sustainability of science and space exploration. The vast majority of STRG grants are directed towards graduate students via NSTGRO, fostering the development of innovative technology and bolstering the aerospace workforce.

The 2024 NSTGRO opportunity is currently open for proposals until November 1, 2023, marking the 14th consecutive year in which the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) has sponsored U.S. citizen and legal permanent resident graduate students who exhibit significant potential to contribute to NASA’s mission of creating innovative space technologies.

As NASA commemorates this milestone in space technology research investment, it reflects on the stories of three remarkable grantees who have been instrumental in inspiring and nurturing a diverse U.S. aerospace technology community.

1. Eliad Peretz: A native of Israel, Eliad Peretz aspired to work with NASA before embarking on his graduate studies at Cornell University in New York. Guided by his early experiences working on his grandfather’s olive grove, which instilled in him the values of planning and hard work, Peretz saw STRG as a gateway to work directly with NASA. Funded by a 2015 grant, Peretz utilized artificial intelligence to design lightweight spacecraft solar cells. He spent his summers at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and Marshall Space Flight Center, collaborating with agency experts to advance his research. This transformative experience led him to realize his passion for solving diverse challenges in spaceflight. Today, Peretz works in NASA Goddard’s Heliophysics Division, where he pioneers groundbreaking concepts for space missions.

2. Monique McClain: Monique McClain, a 2017 grant recipient, took a different path, eventually becoming an assistant professor in Purdue University’s School of Mechanical Engineering. Inspired by science fiction in her childhood, she was drawn to the idea of solving complex problems akin to the chief engineer in “Star Trek.” Her research involved enhancing control over the burning process of solid rocket motors by creating intricate propellant shapes using 3D printing technology. STRG provided her not only with financial support but also the opportunity to make critical research decisions, visit government labs, and grow professionally. McClain’s research journey led her to test 3D-printed components at NASA Marshall and the U.S. Naval Air Weapons Station. Today, she continues her work in understanding multi-material properties and improving 3D printer designs, leaving an enduring legacy as others build on her graduate project and explore technology commercialization.

3. Kaci Madden: While pursuing her graduate studies at the University of Texas in Austin, Kaci Madden focused on the development of robotic exoskeletons. Motivated by her uncle, an amputee, and witnessing the evolution of prosthetic technology, Madden aspired to design devices that could improve people’s lives. A 2015 NASA grant provided her with the opportunity to evaluate fatigue using robots for more precise monitoring of astronaut health and performance. At NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Madden tested the Robo-Glove, collected vital data, and expanded her professional network. The collaborative and visionary environment at NASA left a lasting impression on her. This experience served as a springboard for her career, leading her to work for a healthcare startup dedicated to empowering researchers in the study of rare diseases. Madden is deeply grateful to the STRG program and the individuals who supported her journey, acknowledging that they played a pivotal role in her success.

These stories underscore the immense impact of NASA’s STRG program in fostering talent, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of aerospace technology. As NASA continues to invest in space technology research, it remains committed to inspiring and developing a diverse community of researchers dedicated to advancing our understanding of the cosmos.