BROOKINGS — AeroFly, a leader in aerospace technology, has announced that, in partnership with SDSU, it has been awarded a NASA Small Business Innovation Research contract for its project titled “Advancing Modular Conveying System: Modular Static Auger Systems for Bulk Material Handling for Material Processing Plant Systems based on Planets, Small Bodies, and Moons.”

This pioneering project, running from Aug. 7, 2024, to Feb. 7, 2025, aims to revolutionize the way bulk materials (excavated lunar regolith) are handled on the moon. By developing modular static auger systems specifically designed for the unique environment of the moon, AeroFly seeks to advance the capabilities of material processing plant systems in extraterrestrial settings.

“I’m so proud that Aerofly, a Lohr college spin-off, is pioneering and engineering solutions for space — the ultimate frontier. I’m confident they will leave an enduring legacy as space exploration takes off (pun intended) to new heights,” said Rajesh Kavasseri, associate dean for research at SDSU.

“We are very gratified to be selected from a field of 1500 applicants to receive this support from NASA,” said Gordon Niva, CEO at AeroFly. “This funding enables us to push the boundaries of space technology, contributing to the future of off-Earth resource utilization and space exploration. Our innovative, and frankly counter-intuitive, modular conveying system represents a significant step forward in creating efficient, adaptable infrastructure for processing materials on the moon and other extraterrestrial bodies.”

The project will leverage AeroFly and SDSU expertise and experience in material handling in lunar applications, integrating innovative solutions to meet the challenges of operating in the harsh environments of space. The AeroFly/SDSU team has experience from participating in several recent NASA competitions, including the Break the Ice Lunar Challenge, in which team members participated on a team that made it to the final six teams chosen to participate in head-to-head competitions in Huntsville, Alabama. The outcomes of this project are expected to have wide-ranging applications, including supporting NASA’s Artemis program and other future missions focused on sustainable space exploration and habitation.

“This award provides our talent-rich SDSU students with great opportunities to work for a local company solving problems in aerospace,” said Tim Reed, CEO of Brookings Economic Development Corp.