BERKELEY, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 13, 2026 / Helio Corporation (OTCID:HLEO) ("Helio" or the "Company"), a developer of advanced space power and engineering solutions supporting next-generation space infrastructure, today announced the successful completion of vibration testing for the brake and shoe assembly of its deployable 6-meter antenna and boom system currently being developed under a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The milestone builds on Helio's growing NASA SBIR portfolio, which has secured approximately $3.05 million across five Phase I awards and three Phase II awards over about four years, including three active NASA-funded programs representing approximately $1.77 million currently advancing through prototype development, testing, and validation. Helio currently estimates a contract pipeline of approximately $12 million, consisting of active program backlog and pending contract opportunities, with more than half (55%) representing lunar-related initiatives. The successful prototype testing reflects Helio's continued execution across multiple NASA-funded engineering programs, through non-dilutive funding, advancing proprietary technologies designed to support the next generation of commercial and government space missions.
Deployable antenna systems have become foundational infrastructure for modern spacecraft, enabling high-bandwidth communications, Earth observation, radar imaging, deep space exploration, and national security missions while fitting within the tight volume constraints of today's launch vehicles. Helio's 6-meter deployable antenna and boom system is being engineered to help address these growing requirements, supporting both government and commercial spacecraft operators seeking higher performance without increasing launch complexity or cost. The brake and shoe assembly, a critical subsystem within the antenna deployment architecture, has successfully completed vibration testing in an engineering unit. This milestone advances the program toward full prototype integration and future system-level testing as development continues.
Detailed information on the Company's Phase II SBIR award can be found at https://www.sbir.gov/awards/220624. The award can also be tracked at https://www.highergov.com/contract/80NSSC25C0066/, while additional information regarding Helio's broader NASA SBIR portfolio is available at https://www.highergov.com/awardee/heliospace-corporation-10015865/.