Advanced Concepts Research
NASA has initiated a program of studies and experiments intended
to identify and define advanced concepts that have potential
for affecting revolutionary improvements in future U.S. space
activities. A key element of this program is the Advanced Concepts
Research Program (ACRP).
Sponsored by the Office of Space Access and Technology, this
effort addresses diverse, highly innovative technical concepts,
such as electromagnetic catapults, beamed energy, small spacecraft
swarms, propellantless propulsion by means of tethers, ultra-large
telescopes and a broad array of concepts.
Eight innovative proposals were selected in February 1996
from more than 100 proposals submitted in response to the initial
solicitation.
 ACRP
projects are led by principal investigators designated ACRP Fellows
and are funded to a maximum amount of $250,000. While the Fellows'
research will focus on their own proposed concepts and technologies,
each Fellow will also serve as a member of a broad interdisciplinary
advanced concepts team.
The ACRP program contemplates selection of at least eight
new ACRP projects each year. Each project will be conducted over
a 24-month period, so there will be approximately 16 ongoing
projects in any year. Interactions among ACRP Fellows and NASA
researchers will be accomplished through workshops and periodic
meetings, such as a "virtual research center" created
by use of the Internet, and through pioneering infrastructures.
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