Texas Space Commission Awards Grant to ICON Technology Inc.
Austin, TX - The Texas Space Commission (TSC) announced a Space Exploration & Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF) grant of up to $694,350 has been awarded to ICON Technology, Inc. (ICON) for renovating an existing facility.
Funding for this project will primarily be for construction and equipment costs to produce lunar regolith simulants. Ultimately, this product could be an available supply for various space exploration companies, particularly those pursuing planetary science expeditions and communities beyond Earth.
The project timeline is set to take place over one year. The objectives included with this grant agreement are:
• Install lab equipment: June– August 2025;
• Design and develop production and quality assurance: September– November 2025; and
• Enterprise Resource Planning integration: December– September 2026.
These milestones will enable ICON to be part of preparations for many future space exploration missions. The TSC funding will reimburse eligible expenditures for facility upgrades, equipment, marketing, salaries, and other direct costs associated with the project.
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About ICON Technology Inc.
ICON is an Austin-based construction technology company specializing in advanced robotic 3D printing, software, and materials for both Earth and space applications. ICON’s work spans affordable housing, simulated habitats like Mars Dune Alpha, and regolith simulants and construction systems for future off-planet operations. Learn more.
About the Texas Space Commission
Established by the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023 through House Bill 3447, authored by Rep. Greg Bonnen, M.D., the Texas Space Commission advances innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace to strengthen the state’s proven leadership across civil, commercial, and military domains. To date, the total appropriation made by the Legislature for the SEARF Trust is $450 million. Learn more.
Contact
To submit a media inquiry to the Texas Space Commission, please send an email to TSCPressInquiries@space.texas.gov.