Sierra Space, a Colorado-based independent commercial space startup, has signed a five-year MoU with the University of Notre Dame for the exploration of space-based research and development in low-earth orbit (LEO), which includes flying of R&D payloads and performing scientific investigations aboard new commercial outposts.

The agreement will involve the two entities collaborating on all of Sierra Space’s platforms, including Dream Chaser Space Plane, LIFE Habitat, and Orbital Reef space station. Subject matter experts from both parties will be engaged in identifying potential opportunities for R&D payloads, conducting microgravity experiments, along with designing and developing hardware components to facilitate experimental objectives and commercialization of research findings.

Further, Sierra Space is likely to use this opportunity to collaborate with Notre Dame’s startup companies with aligning interests and plans for commercialization of technology and products for the benefit of space and/or microgravity research and manufacturing. Additional collaboration may include development of proposals and teaming for microgravity research.