Achievements & Announcements
The Future Starts Now! NASA SBIR Phase II Selection
We are thrilled to announce that AeroFly has been selected for a contract negotiation for a NASA 2024 SBIR Phase II award in the topic: "Vertical Lunar Regolith Conveyance for In-Situ Resource Utilization." This milestone follows the successful completion and validation of our innovative Phase I feasibility study, which demonstrated the strength and potential of our technological approach. AeroFly's leadership and talented team of engineers is thrilled to move this mission critical technology forward! With this award, NASA would give us an incredible opportunity to develop a full-scale terrestrial prototype of AeroFly Rego-LIFT and put it to the test in vacuum conditions. We are energized by what lies ahead and excited to take this next bold step on space advanced technology in support of future lunar exploration and resource utilization.
2025 LSIC Spring Meeting
AeroFly's Team is excited to attend the 2025 LSIC Spring Meeting at John Hopkins APL in Maryland! Carter Waggoner will be presenting AeroFly Rego-LIFT among other amazing technologies.
Ad Lunam!
AeroFly is proud to announce to have submitted 8 Phase I SBIRs/STTRs proposals to NASA!
Furthermore, following our successful conclusion on NASA Phase I SBIR for lunar material handling in February 2025 , we submitted our follow-up proposal for Phase II.
NASA Phase I SBIR: Feasibility Analysis of Vertical Lunar Regolith Conveyance for ISRU
AeroFly LLC wrapped up its Phase I SBIR with NASA ISRU in February 2025, validating that our Rego‑LIFT static screw conveyor reliably transports LSP‑2 lunar simulant at over 10 kg/hr, and has even surpassed 600 kg/hr in near‑vertical trials. By integrating physical testing with a digital‑twin DEM framework, we elevated the system to TRL 4 and developed models that forecast performance and guide future optimizations.
NASA SBIR Lunar Material Handling Project
AeroFly performed a feasibility study on an advanced modular conveyor system of lunar regolith which addresses the difficulties of handling abrasive lunar dust. This modular system is engineered to autonomously adjust, allowing it to efficiently support a range of missions and operations across different lunar landscapes, such as in-situ sampling and composition analysis. Although its primary focus is on lunar applications, this technology also has significant potential for terrestrial industries like manufacturing, agriculture, and mining, where effective and versatile material handling is essential.
Press Releases
AeroFly Awarded NASA SBIR Contract for Groundbreaking Space Material Handling Project
AeroFly, a leader in innovative aerospace technology, is thrilled to announce that in partnership with SDSU it has been awarded a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 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, which will run from August 7, 2024, to February 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, AL. 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.
AeroFly's partnership with NASA through the SBIR program underscores the company's commitment to advancing the frontiers of technology and supporting the development of infrastructure critical to the future of space exploration. “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.