NASA ARC Memo: NASA Offers ‘FAST’ Opportunities for Zero-G Technology Testing

Subject:  NASA Offers ‘FAST’ Opportunities for Zero-G Technology Testing
From:  Centerwide Announcement
Date:  Thursday, March 18, 2010

Message from the Director of New Ventures and Communication
Subject: NASA Offers ‘FAST’ Opportunities for Zero-G Technology Testing

I am pleased to inform you that the Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) has announced NASA’s Facilitated Access to the Space Environment for Technology (FAST) Program opportunity. The FAST Program helps emerging technologies mature through testing in a reduced gravity environment. The technologies should have potential use in future NASA projects, support future exploration systems, or improve air and space vehicle capabilities.

This unique testing environment is provided by an aircraft flying repeated parabolic, or bowl-shaped, flight paths that create brief periods of zero gravity. The aircraft also can simulate reduced gravity levels similar to those on the surface of the moon or Mars. Technology demonstration flights are scheduled to occur in September 2010 from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

NASA expects to select approximately 15 to 20 projects for the test flights. Through a partnership agreement, NASA will provide free flight time for the tests, while project teams will be responsible for all other costs associated with participating in the FAST Program. The duration of the program is about 17 months from the time of award selection to final report.

Please read the Call for further information about scope, selection criteria, format and reporting requirements. The 2010 FAST Call for Proposals is available on the following website: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/ipp/innovation_incubator/FAST/index.html

Schedule:

– Proposal Submission to Ames IPP Office April 15, 2010
– Proposal Submission by Ames IPP Office to Headquarters April 19, 2010
– Award Selection Announcement May 14, 2010
– Space Act Agreements completed (participants external to NASA) June 18, 2010
– Project teams prepare for flight-testing and submit required documentation June-August 2010
– Parabolic aircraft flight week occurs September 2010

If you have questions regarding the FAST Program, please contact the FAST Program Coordinator: Amy B. Hiltabidel, NASA Glenn Research Center, 216-433-8063 or mailto:Amy.Hiltabidel@nasa.gov .

Submit your proposals by COB April 15, 2010 to: Bill Toscano, mailto:William.M.Toscano@nasa.gov , extension 4-0894.

Gary Martin
Director of New Ventures and Communication