Nasa has partnered with 13 commercial space firms to boost Moon and Mars exploration technology.
The US space agency is joining with leading businesses including SpaceX, headed by entrepreneur Elon Musk, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.
It will provide expertise and facilities to the companies across 19 projects.
These range across developing communications, new materials, landing equipment and power sources.
Nasa detailed its hope that co-working with commercial ventures will be mutually beneficial for those involved.
“Nasa’s proven experience and unique facilities are helping commercial companies mature their technologies at a competitive pace,” said Jim Reuter, associate administrator of Nasa’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
“We’ve identified technology areas Nasa needs for future missions, and these public-private partnerships will accelerate their development so we can implement them faster.”
A statement from Nasa adds that the move will "advance the commercial space sector and help bring new capabilities to market that could benefit future NASA missions".
Nasa is aiming to land people on the moon again by 2024 with its Artemis program, with human travel to Mars a goal after that.
There have been six crewed landings on the moon conducted by the US, which were between 1969 and 1972.
The partnership selections have been based on supplementing Nasa's "Moon to Mars" exploration plans.
One of the joint ventures will see Nasa assist with SpaceX's Starships, which Mr Musk's company ambitiously hopes to at one point send to Mars.
.jpg?w=600)
