NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has awarded six Connecticut companies contracts valued at $125,000 each to conduct feasibility studies that could lead to advances in space exploration and aerospace technology.  A Monroe company is among those to receive support from Connecticut Innovations through the organization’s grant, loan, equity and talent programs.

Materials Technologies Corporation of Monroe has corporate and government clients including Silicon Valley Group, Union Carbide/UOP and Black & Decker.  Their contracts with NASA are for Marshall Space Flight Center,  Goddard Space Flight Center and Glenn Research Center.

The companies are being tasked to conduct a number of different areas of research, from developing high pressure oxygen generation systems for future space exploration missions to energy-efficient carbon dioxide storage systems.