Executive Summary
NASA's two contracts totaling $111,990,661 in obligations, awarded to nonprofit entities THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC. ($56,933,211) and UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY ($55,057,450), represent 100% civilian space R&D spending with 0/2 defense-related awards during the May 07, 2026 period. The dominant agency theme is NASA's sustained investment in lunar payloads via CLPS (Draper Lab) and atmospheric research via AWE (Utah State), both under full and open competition with significant outlays already at $43.3M and $48.2M respectively. Overall signals remain neutral (avg 3.5/10 strength), reflecting steady nonprofit funding but limited equity upside. Highest-conviction signal is outlay momentum toward full obligations amid long-duration performance periods through 2026-2027. Key risk: high pricing risk on Draper's firm fixed price structure; watch option exercises to reach $84.3M and $57.3M ceilings.
Tracking the trend? Catch up on the prior All NASA Contracts digest from May 06, 2026.
Investment Signals (2)
- Draper Lab $56.9M CLPS Lunar Payloads Obligation with $43.3M Outlayed (LOW)▲
$56,933,211 total obligation firm fixed price delivery order (Task Order CP-12) to THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC. for CLPS payloads, with base + options up to $84,274,147 and $43,314,148 outlayed to date through 2026-06-30.
- Utah State $55.1M AWE Concept Studies with $48.2M Outlayed and 43% Subawards (LOW)▲
$55,057,450 cost-no-fee contract to UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY for Atmospheric Waves Experiment Phase A, including $48,193,947 outlayed and $23,695,817 in 11 subawards (43% of outlays) through 2027-03-31.
Risk Flags (2)
- Execution [HIGH RISK]▼
High contract risk (pricing) on $56,933,211 firm fixed price delivery order to THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC. for CLPS lunar payloads from NASA Johnson Space Center, performance through 2026-06-30.
- Budget [MEDIUM RISK]▼
Uncertainty in annual revenue pacing for UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY's $55,057,450 cost-no-fee contract due to 9-year duration (2018-2027), subawards (43% of outlays), and uneven outlay timing from NASA Goddard.
Opportunities (2)
- ◆
Option exercise potential on Draper Lab's CLPS contract from $56.9M obligation to $84.3M base + options ceiling for lunar payload R&D services.
- ◆
$2.3M options exercise opportunity on Utah State Space Dynamics Lab's AWE contract from $55.1M obligation to $57.3M ceiling, plus potential follow-on awards post-2027.
Sector Themes (1)
- ◆
$111.9M in obligations to nonprofits THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC. ($56.9M CLPS lunar payloads, PSC AR14) and UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY ($55.1M AWE nanotechnology basic research, PSC AR11/NAICS 541713), with $91.5M (82%) outlayed to date.
Watch List (2)
- 👁
{"entity"=>"THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.", "reason"=>"$56.9M CLPS obligation with $43.3M outlayed; base + options to $84.3M", "trigger"=>"Option exercise status; outlay progress beyond $43.3M; completion by 2026-06-30"}
- 👁
{"entity"=>"UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY", "reason"=>"$55.1M AWE obligation with $48.2M outlayed including $23.7M subawards; $2.3M options to $57.3M ceiling", "trigger"=>"Exercise of $2.3M options; remaining outlays; completion by 2027-03-31 and follow-on awards"}
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