MANCHESTER – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead Democrat of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations (CJS) Subcommittee which funds the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), hosted a virtual roundtable with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine to highlight contracting opportunities for Granite State small businesses to support NASA’s ongoing space exploration technology research efforts and the Artemis program, which aims to land the next humans on the Moon. Shaheen and Bridenstine were joined by Dr. Bob Kline-Schoder, President and Principal Engineer for Creare, LLC, Dr. Harlan Spence, Director of Earth, Oceans and Space (EOS) for the University of New Hampshire (UNH), Jenn Gustetic, Program Executive for NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs and Glenn Delgado, NASA Associate Administrator for the Small Business Programs.

“Administrator Bridenstine and I hosted this session because New Hampshire’s small businesses and universities have so much to offer and we want to make sure they know how to take advantage of fantastic opportunities to contribute to NASA missions,” said Shaheen. “These opportunities are incredibly exciting – our small businesses can help write history, contribute to space science, and create jobs in the process. Especially during this economic downturn, we need to make sure our small businesses are taking full advantage of federal contracting opportunities. New Hampshire has a proud history of assisting NASA missions and I want that legacy to continue long into the future – that’s what this event was all about.”

“Senator Shaheen’s leadership supporting the space and technology sectors in New Hampshire is providing opportunities for small businesses in her state to grow,” said Bridenstine. “As we go forward to the Moon with the Artemis program, including landing the first woman and next man on the lunar surface by 2024, NASA will go with commercial partners and we want the best our country has to offer. New Hampshire is equipping its Artemis Generation of explorers with the education, science, and technology necessary to accomplish our missions. We are proud to work with New Hampshire small businesses developing innovative new technology that will make our return to the Moon in preparation for human exploration of Mars possible.”

During the discussion, Shaheen emphasized the important role small businesses throughout New Hampshire play in maintaining American leadership in space exploration, and how that role can be expanded. In addition to expressing her continued support for SBIR and STTR grants, which award competitive contracts to small businesses to develop innovative technologies that keep the U.S. economy competitive and address national security needs, Shaheen highlighted the need to ensure that NASA continues to get the funding it needs to advance its vital scientific missions.

New Hampshire is a national leader in advanced technological research, development and manufacturing. In 2018, the State’s technology sector expanded at the third highest rate in the United States, and was the seventh-highest employment sector in the State, contributing over $10 billion to New Hampshire’s economy. Last year, Bridenstine joined Shaheen in visits to UNH’s Space Science Center and Mikrolar, a contractor for NASA. The events came on the heels of UNH’s selection by NASA for a highly-competitive $107.9 million contract award through the Earth Venture program.

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