# 321: The Edge of Science Fiction

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-02-21
- Length: 1h 02m
- Episode: 321
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-21-321-the-edge-of-science-fiction
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/321-the-edge-of-science-fiction

## Summary

Jason Derleth, Program Executive for the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program, explains how to win a NIAC award by proposing transformative, mission-specific technologies that are 10-30 years away from implementation. He details the multi-phase funding structure, from $125,000 Phase 1 concept studies to $2 million Phase 3 bridge studies, and the rigorous review process involving technical panels and source selection officials. Derleth also discusses the administrative hurdles of government contracting, such as registering with NSPIRES, and highlights successful NIAC outcomes like the Spheres robot and mycelium-based construction materials.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-21-321-the-edge-of-science-fiction#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [9:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-21-321-the-edge-of-science-fiction#t=564) NIAC Mission and NASA Structure
- [12:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-21-321-the-edge-of-science-fiction#t=765) Proposal Phases and Requirements
- [25:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-21-321-the-edge-of-science-fiction#t=1530) Review Process and Feasibility
- [42:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-21-321-the-edge-of-science-fiction#t=2524) Government Registration and NSPIRES
- [52:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-21-321-the-edge-of-science-fiction#t=3139) NIAC Success Stories and Future

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- NASA (company)
- NIAC (other)
- JPL (company)
- Curiosity Rover (product)
- Spheres (product)
- NSPIRES (other)
- SBIR (other)
- Shotspotter (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [21. AI Rescues Firefighters, NASA Prints Spacecraft Parts, Plug & Play Prosthetics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-06-08-21-ai-rescues-firefighters-nasa-prints-spacecraft-parts-plug-play-prosthetics) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [FOAK tales](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-01-16-foak-tales) (Catalyst)
- [Shooting for the moon with Steve Altemus of Intuitive Machines](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-21-shooting-for-the-moon-with-steve-altemus-of-intuitive-machines) (How I Built This)
- [How NASA is Leveraging AM to Accelerate Space Exploration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-02-16-how-nasa-is-leveraging-am-to-accelerate-space-exploration) (Additive Snack)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-21-321-the-edge-of-science-fiction. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.