NASA Solicitation: Request for Information Regarding the Orbital Parameters of Upcoming Cubesats
Synopsis – Jul 27, 2011
Appendix – Posted on Jul 27, 2011
General Information
Solicitation Number: N/A
Reference Number: NNH11SOMD001L
Posted Date: Jul 27, 2011
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Jul 27, 2011
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Aug 01, 2011
Current Response Date: Aug 01, 2011
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
I. INTRODUCTION
THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, QUOTATION, OR INVITATION TO BID NOTICE.
This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will take procurement action in this matter. Further, neither NASA nor the Government will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing this information.
NASA is currently preparing for upcoming CubeSat Launch Initiative announcements. As part of CubeSat Launch Initiative, NASA will seek for CubeSat payloads that address an aspect of science, exploration, technology development, education, or operations encompassed by NASA’s strategic goals and outcomes, which are identified in the NASA Strategic Plan and Education Strategic Coordination Framework. (The NASA Strategic Plan is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/news/budget/ . The Education Strategic Coordination Framework is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/performance/strategic_framework.html . )
NASA anticipates using its authority to enter into a collaborative Agreement to support the 2011 CubeSat Launch Initiative. Under the Agreement, NASA would provide integration and other services needed to complete the launch activity. For information about last year’s initiative please refer to the 2010 announcement (http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/430539main_CubeSat_Launch_Initiative_Announcement_7_30_2010.pdf ) seeking participants for its pilot program. For FY2012, NASA is expanding the available CubeSat positions available to proposers. NASA will accept proposals for 1, 2, 3 or 6U satellites.
NASA is issuing a request for information (RFI) to seek the current status of academic and not-for-profit organizations’ involvement and potential interest in small satellites compatible with the CubeSat standards. (The CubeSat Standards are available at: http://www.raumfahrt.fh-aachen.de/compass2/cubesat_standard.pdf . ) NASA will evaluate to determine which launches (orbital domain, launch date, and satellite size) will best accommodate potential CubeSat experiments.
This RFI is not limited to identifying the pool of launch opportunities solely for the 2011 CubeSat Launch Initiative. Collecting information about all potential CubeSat campaigns will provide NASA with the insight necessary to track trends of the small satellite community. Information collected from this RFI is intended to enable NASA to actively seek out launch opportunities enabling continuous support of CubeSat missions for academia and not-for-profit organizations. NASA will not issue paper copies of this RFI. Material submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. II. GENERAL INFORMATION
Submission Instructions: All responses under this RFI must be emailed to Zachary.B.Itkoe@nasa.gov. Responses may be submitted at any time before the response date. You are encouraged to submit as early as practicable during this time period.
Award: There will be no award associated with this announcement.
Terminology: “CubeSat” means a type of space research nanosatellite, the base dimensions of which are about 10x10x11 centimeters each (i.e., a “Cube” or “1U”). CubeSats typically range from 1U to 6U in volume and typically weigh no more than 1.33 kilogram per 1U Cube.
III. APPROACH TO CONCEPTS
Respondents are asked to provide information that addresses how NASA should proceed with any or all subset of the following:
1. What are the specifications for the CubeSat for your satellite to launch? Number of Cubes? Optimal Altitude? Optimal Inclination? Shape of Orbit? 2. What are the desired orbital parameters? What are the potential acceptable ranges in your orbital parameters? 3. Could it comply with the ISS planned orbit (51.6 degrees at 325 km) if an earlier flight is available? 4. What timeframe do you expect this mission to be flight ready? 5. Is this CubeSat a part of a Campaign? How many satellites? What are the parameters for these satellites? What is the planned timeframe for the campaign? 6. How can NASA improve the CubeSat Launch Initiative program and build interest in the development of CubeSats within the academic and not-for-profit communities?
III. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS
Page Limitations
Response Cover Page – 1 Page Response Table – 1 Page Response Detail – 300 Words per question Response Comments – 3 Pages
A page is defined as one (1) sheet 8 x 11 inches using a minimum of 12-point font size for text and 8-point for graphs.
Response Cover Page: Response – title of announcement with notice of restriction on use and disclosure of response information, if any.
Response Table: Provide information requested in table reference number NNH11SOMD001L.
Response Detail: Provide additional information requested in free response questions at reference number NNH11SOMD001L (if applicable).
Response Comments: Provide details on recommendations or information that NASA should consider when proceeding in planning the CubeSat Launch Initiative announcement.
Point of Contact
Name: Mr. Zachary B Itkoe
Title: Intern
Phone: 602-692-5305
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: Zacharry.B.Itkoe@nasa.gov
Name: Mr. Jason C Crusan
Title: Chief Technologist for Space Operations
Phone: 202-358-0635
Fax: 202-358-3530
Email: Jason.c.crusan@nasa.gov
