NASA Solicitation: Radiation Capabilities for the Europa Jupiter System Mission
Synopsis – Apr 23, 2009
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNH09ZDA008L
Posted Date: Apr 23, 2009
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Apr 23, 2009
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: May 22, 2009
Current Response Date: May 22, 2009
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters Acquisition Branch, Code 210.H, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
Radiation Capabilities for the Europa Jupiter System Mission Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA
Solicitation Number: NNH09ZDA008L Release Date: April 24, 2009 Response Date: May 22, 2009
The Government is seeking information regarding the state-of-technology, including radiation-hardened parts/components, services, facilities, and general expertise, which could prove useful to NASA and instrument providers in addressing the radiation challenges for the Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM).
Through this RFI, the Government desires to improve its understanding of the state-of-technology and technology maturity for technologies and techniques that will address the radiation challenges for the EJSM. This RFI is also intended to survey the radiation industry for expertise, services, and radiation-hardened parts/components that could prove useful to NASA and potential instrument providers. Information gathered through this RFI could directly affect acquisition strategies developed for the EJSM.
In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), the information requested is for planning purposes only and is not intended to bind the Government. This information will be used to inform NASA’s program planning, including consideration of whether and how to solicit instruments for the EJSM.
Background
The Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM) is a strategic flagship-class mission partnering NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) that will send two spacecraft to explore the Jupiter system with a focus on Europa and Ganymede. The mission is currently in formulation and is scheduled to launch in 2020.
The objectives of the EJSM are:
* Determine the presence and extent of sub-surface oceans and their relations to the deeper interior;
* Characterize the ice shells and any subsurface water, including the heterogeneity of the ice, and the nature of surface-ice-ocean exchange;
* Characterize the deep internal structure, differentiation history, and (for Ganymede) the intrinsic magnetic field;
* Compare the exospheres, plasma environments, and magnetospheric interactions;
* Determine global surface compositions and chemistry, especially as related to habitability;
* Understand the formation of surface features, including sites of recent or current activity, and identify and characterize candidate sites for future in situ exploration;
* Understand the Jovian satellite system, especially as a context for Europa and Ganymede;
* Evaluate the structure and dynamics of the Jovian atmosphere;
* Characterize processes in the Jovian magnetodisk/magnetosphere;
* Determine the interactions occurring in the Jovian system; and
* Constrain the origin of the Jovian system.
NASA and ESA expect to place two spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter to conduct scientific investigations for at least 2 years. Following this tour, one spacecraft (the Jupiter Europa Orbiter, JEO) will enter a low orbit around Jupiter’s moon Europa and the other spacecraft (the Jupiter Ganymede Orbiter, JGO) will enter orbit around Jupiter’s moon Ganymede. This mapping phase at Europa and Ganymede will last at least 9 months for each spacecraft. At the end of the mission the JEO and the JGO are estimated to have received Total Ionizing Doses (TID) as shown in Figure 1 available at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select “solicitations”, select “open solicitations”, select “NNH09ZDA008L”). Also, the peak dose rate expected for the JEO is about 2.3 rad(Si)/sec at 5 Jupiter radii behind a 100-mil (2.5 mm) aluminum shield. The JGO flux rate is not expected to be overly severe. The minimum die level part capability for the JEO is expected to be 100 krad(Si) behind 100 mils of Al. No such minimum part requirement is expected for the JGO. Mass and power are expected to be constrained leading to the desire for parts/components, services and tools which can help ensure robust spacecraft/instrument designs. The instrument payload and providers for the spacecraft will be competitively selected via a future Announcement of Opportunity.
Additional information on the EJSM can be found at: http://opfm.jpl.nasa.gov/ .
Description of Anticipated Requirement
In order to implement the EJSM, NASA and its eventual instrument providers must address the challenges posed by the high radiation environment in the Jupiter system, particularly near Europa. The Government seeks to raise its awareness of the capabilities of the radiation industry that could benefit this effort and the potential instrument providers.
Respondents judged to have provided information applicable to the EJSM will be provided an opportunity to participate in the upcoming instrument workshop to be held July 15-17, 2009, in Washington, DC. This NASA-sponsored workshop is intended to encourage the early formation of science and engineering teams interested in providing instruments to the EJSM and to educate these instrument teams on the radiation challenges of the mission. NASA also intends to make available via the EJSM website (http://opfm.jpl.nasa.gov/ ) all unrestricted (not proprietary, confidential, or ITAR-restricted) information presented at the workshop to allow teams not attending the workshop the ability to obtain the information.
It is not NASA’s intent to publicly disclose proprietary information obtained during this RFI, although NASA may seek permission at a future date to share this information with interested potential instrument and spacecraft component providers. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information identified by a respondent as “Proprietary or Confidential” will be kept confidential. Additionally, ITAR restricted information should be labeled as such. It is emphasized that this RFI is for planning and information purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the Government pay for information solicited.
Requested Information
The response to this RFI will be in the form of a PDF document that is uploaded through NASA’s NSPIRES system (see instructions below). At a minimum the response must include up to 2 pages of unrestricted information which is suitable to be posted on the web. If desired, up to 5 additional pages of information may be included which is “Proprietary,” “Confidential,” or “ITAR Restricted.” This material must be marked appropriately and will be treated by NASA according to the markings.
The response must contain the following information:
* Name of submitter and contact information (institutional affiliation, email address);
* Capabilities and qualifications statement that addresses your ability to provide expertise, services, components, facilities, or technologies to mitigate and/or operate within the radiation environment expected for the EJSM spacecraft;
* A description of the respondent’s applicable expertise, services, components, facilities, or technologies, including (if applicable) resource requirements, consumables, etc. A description of previous uses of any technologies, if they are already operational or nearly operational, should be included. A discussion of how they can be applied to the EJSM should be included to demonstrate their applicability;
* A discussion of maturity level of the respondent’s technologies in terms of heritage, with supporting evidence for the claimed heritage. An estimate of investments to date;
* A discussion of your past experience and capability in designing, developing, and delivering similar technologies for space missions
Instructions
The complete RFI including background, description of anticipated requirement, requested information, and instructions for responding may be found at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select “Solicitations” then “Open Solicitations” then “Request for Information: NNH09ZDA008L (Radiation Capabilities for the Europa Jupiter System Mission).”
Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than May 22, 2009.
Contact Point
Questions concerning this Request for Information should be addressed to Dr. Curt Niebur, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546; Telephone: (202) 358-0390; E-mail: curt.niebur@nasa.gov.
Point of Contact
Name: Dr. Curt Niebur
Title: Program Science
Phone: 202-358-0390
Fax: 202-358-3097
Email: curt.niebur@nasa.gov
