$14.1 million approved by Texas Space Commission for SEARF grant award

Austin, TX – Today, during an Open Meeting, the Texas Space Commission (TSC) board of directors voted to conditionally approve a grant application totaling $14,154,767 for a proposed project led by Rice University.

The project would create a Center for Space Technologies within the Rice Space Institute (RSI) targeting the following key areas: research and development (R&D); technology transfer and innovation; state-wide partnerships; workforce development training; as well as, space-focused education programs. 

“The goal is to fulfill an articulated need for research, workforce development, and industry collaboration,” said Gwen Griffin, chair of the TSC board. "This portfolio consists of advancing sustainbale human lunar exploration and discovery with a primary focus on In-Situ Resource Development and Utilization (ISRDU) that is a key element of NASA's Artemis program.” 

Previously, the TSC conditionally awarded approximately $135.1 million for 23 projects. Today's award, along with $705,000 to TARSEC for specific activities, brings the total to $150 million for 24 projects in all, and therefore fully committing the entire state appropriation from the Texas Legislature in 2023. 

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ABOUT TSC

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.