The Breakthrough Prize Foundation, founded by Silicon Valley leaders, is a philanthropic organization that recognizes achievements in science and mathematics. While not directly involved in building spacecraft or conducting launches, the foundation supports space exploration through its Breakthrough Initiatives, a suite of space science programs that investigate fundamental questions about life in the universe, such as the search for habitable worlds and interstellar travel. It also sponsors the Space Exploration Prize as part of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, partnering with organizations like Rocket Lab. The foundation's activities and prizes aim to inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, and the awards are among the most lucrative in the field.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Peter Klupar, Breakthrough Prize Foundation chief engineer, noted that entrepreneurs may confuse reality with their desires.
Breakthrough Prize Foundation would perform most of the study work under the agreement while NASA would use reasonable efforts to provide scientific and technical consulting, including expertise in planetary protection.
Yuri Milner funds the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and formed a workshop in November 2017 to explore designing a low-cost privately funded mission to Enceladus.
NASA signed a Space Act Agreement with the Breakthrough Prize Foundation on 2018-09-13 to support initial studies of a privately funded mission to the moon Enceladus.