Supported by matching grants from NASA of $3 million per year for five years, MSCI funds commercial remote-sensing research through an industry cluster including nationwide member companies, the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development (MDECD) and the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Rick Fleeter, AeroAstro's President and CEO, noted, "MSCI and AeroAstro will cooperate on micro and nanosatellite technology research; use of nanosatellite technology to provide support for our nation's land use; development of miniaturized components for nanosatellites; and other commercial remote sensing applications of small, low-cost satellites. By providing skilled research facilities and personnel underwritten by NASA, MSCI can bring our plans from the drawing board to implementation."

With over 40 commercial affiliations, MSCI was formally founded in April 1998 through the signing of the Joint Sponsored Research Agreement by the Mississippi State Government to promote commercial remote sensing. Satellite remote sensing uses space-based observation to satisfy numerous applications including locating radio towers for cellular telephone companies; choosing housing sites for real-estate developers; checking crop and soil conditions for farmers; fisheries management; and routing roadways and rail systems for transportation system designers and operators.

The Executive Director of the Mississippi Space Commerce Initiative, Dr. Allan Falconer, said, "By having us conduct commercial research activities based on their extensive experience and wide-ranging projects, AeroAstro will support the latest technology to promote emerging business interests in our State and nationwide. We are glad to have the opportunity to fund selected AeroAstro research and expect a several-fold return in the business it will generate."

AeroAstro, a pioneer of micro-spacecraft applications in science, remote sensing, and communications, is a leader in innovative small satellite applications. It led the trend towards "smaller, better, cheaper, faster" spacecraft --that is now NASA�s mantra-- with its highly successful ALEXIS satellite begun in 1988 and currently in its seventh year operating on-orbit.

AeroAstro has since designed, constructed, tested and supported the launch of several other satellites; as well as completing numerous spacecraft systems programs and manufacturing low-cost small rocket engines, nanosatellites and spacecraft components. NASA, the Air Force, and commercial and university customers have all employed AeroAstro in its 11-year history.

Nano and MicroSats At SpaceDaily