On Monday, January 27, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) held their largest-ever partnerships forum at the Space Camp Operations Building in Huntsville. More than 200 people attended in person, while an equal number participated virtually.

According to MSFC event organizers, the goal of this forum was to “ … bring together industry, academia, government agencies, and NASA experts to explore collaboration opportunities, share ideas, and discuss the future of space exploration and technology.”

The live forum included time for MSFC staff and attendees to network and share potential ways to work together.

Nick Case, NASA MSFC Manager of the Partnerships & Opportunity Development Office (POD) opened the presentation portion of the event. He shared an overview of the purpose of his organization.

“Our office exists to inspire and empower partnerships that unlock the full potential of the Marshall Space Flight Center. Our mission is to advance NASA’s goals, shape the future of space exploration, and ensure the success of our strategic partners,” said Case.

Case continued, “We focus on building strategic collaborations, aligning opportunities with our capabilities, and fostering innovation to drive meaningful impact for the country and for the world.”

Case and other presenters shared current and future opportunities for local organizations to collaborate with NASA on MSFC’s 2025 goals. Some of the center’s goals for this year include expanding strategic partnerships, developing new collaborations with partners, and reducing approval times for faster partner engagement.

Case also encouraged event attendees to come to the upcoming 39th Marshall Small Business Alliance on March 20 at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration. The free event will give attendees the chance to network and receive information on opportunities within the NASA/MSFC group.

Michael Smith, NASA MSFC Opportunity Manager, shared several specific ways businesses and other organizations can partner with the space agency.

These include:

The ACO is a formal solicitation that invites industry, academia, and other organizations to collaborate with NASA on technology development and research projects. These opportunities are designed to leverage external expertise, resources, and innovative ideas while aligning with NASA’s strategic goals.

Smith said February 18, 2025 is the expected release date for this year’s ACO.

According to Smith’s presentation on the lease opportunity, “NASA is seeking tenants interested in entering into an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) with NASA to develop some or all of specific NASA real property assets (five acres on Redstone Arsenal) in a manner that optimizes and reinforces commercial aerospace capabilities at MSFC.”

Anyone with questions about this opportunity should email Cari Smith at hq-realestate@mail.nasa.gov. The deadline to submit a formal response is February 21, 2025.

Travis Davis, Senior Manager at Blue Origin Engine Test & Operations, shared his company’s successes in partnering with MSFC. Some recent highlights of Blue Origin’s collaboration include successful hot-fire tests of BE-3U and BE-4 engines in 2023-2024.

The company first launched their engine building plant in Huntsville in February 2020.

“We had a great partnership success story today from Blue Origin. That’s a great model that we like to use and we want to continue to talk with all the companies, everybody that’s interested in working in the Marshall Space Flight Center,” Case said.

Jeramie Broadway, MSFC Deputy Director, Office of Strategic Analysis & Communications, shared the organization’s plans to celebrate their 65th Anniversary.

The MSFC will celebrate the milestone all year long with monthly themes and will host a birthday bash on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Orion Ampitheater. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with the MSFC for this celebration are encouraged to reach out to Broadway via email at jeramie.w.broadway@nasa.gov.

Other presentations at the forum included:

MSFC’s Journey in Digital Transformation & AI: MSFC Digital Transformation Program Manager, Justin Pociask and MSFC AI SMEs: Scott Tashakkor and Dr. Manil Maskey
MSFC Capability: Michael Fraizer, Deputy Manager (Acting), NASA MSFC Human Exploration Development & Operations Office ECLSS (Environmental Control and Life Support System)

Case ended the presentation portion of the event by thanking everyone for attending and sharing where MSFC is headed in the next year.

He emphasized that 2025 will be a big year for MSFC, which will include many changes.

“We don’t know what that’s going to be, but I’m really excited about how the center’s positioning themselves and ourselves and our team to handle that change,” Case said.

He continued, “We’re ready to evolve, we’re ready to partner, and we really want to be here to respond to your needs.”