Launching 10,000 tiny 'femtosats' to Saturn? NASA funds 18 futuristic spaceflight ideas

NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program is investing in eighteen ambitious technological projects designed to push the boundaries of space exploration and research. The agency selected these proposals as part of a broader effort to transform unconventional concepts into viable investigations. Each of the 18 funded ideas represents a unique approach to addressing challenges within aerospace, encompassing diverse areas like propulsion systems and satellite technologies. This initiative aims to foster innovation by supporting early-stage development of potentially groundbreaking solutions for future missions. NASA anticipates that this investment will contribute significantly to advancing fundamental knowledge about our solar system and beyond.