A--TEAMING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HIGH CAPABILITY INSTRUMENTS FOR PLANETARY EXPLORATION NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (NRA-03-OSS-01-HCIPE)

NASA Langley Research Center is seeking University and Industry partners for the High Capability Instruments for Planetary Exploration (NRA-03-OSS-01-HCIPE) NASA Research Announcement (NRA). The High Capability Instruments for Planetary Exploration (HCIPE) Program supports the development of spacecraft-based instrument technologies that provide capabilities well beyond those of existing flight instruments. The primary goal of this program is to promote the development of a new generation of scientific instruments for planetary exploration that can take advantage of the capabilities enabled by nuclear electric power and propulsion (NEPP). These NEPP-enabled capabilities include: - Electrical power ranging from 10-100 kW; - Data rates ranging from 10 to 100 Megabits/sec for acquisition and transmission to Earth; - Instrument mass up to 500 kg; - Long observation times at targets; - High delta V capability enabling multi-target rendezvous; and - High duty cycles enabling extended instrument-operating times The Solar System Exploration Division (SSED) identified planetary science missions that are uniquely enabled by NEPP technologies under development by the Project Prometheus. The first of these missions is the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO). JIMO is an ambitious mission that will orbit three planet-sized moons of Jupiter - Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa - which may harbor vast oceans beneath their icy surfaces. This mission would orbit each of these moons and perform extensive orbital investigations of their makeup, their history, and their potential for sustaining life. JIMO-class follow on missions are also under consideration by NASA. The goal of this program is to begin development of science instruments that could potentially be launched within a decade on the JIMO spacecraft. The total anticipated budget for this technology research program is expected to be $5M and is expected to fund approximately 10-15 investigations. New measurement concepts may also be proposed to the HCIPE program. In addition, modifications of existing instruments designed for previous low power space missions may also be proposed. NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) is seeking partners from other government agencies, industry, academia, and Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) to participate with NASA LaRC Principal Investigators (PI) in the HCIPE Program to develop proposals and begin development of science instruments that could potentially be launched within a decade. Subject to the availability of funds, selected proposal(s) would result in contract(s) for the selected partner(s). This partnering opportunity does not guarantee selection for award of any contracts, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by NASA to pay for the information solicited. It is expected that the partner(s) selected would provide (at no cost to NASA) conceptual designs, technical data, proposal input, project schedules and cost estimates consistent with the requirements of the NRA. Potential partners must demonstrate the capabilities and experience to provide instrument(s) consistent with the efforts synopsized for each intended LaRC proposal. Partners must work collaboratively with NASA and other potential industry and academic partners to perform the required tasks. Partner selection(s) will be made by LaRC based on the following criteria in the following order of importance: (1) Relevant experience, past performance, technical capability and availability of key personnel This criterion evaluates the proposers' relevant recent experience, past performance in similar development activities, technical capability to perform the development, and key personnel available to support the development. Substantive evidence (points of contact and telephone numbers) of successful participation in similar developments should be included. (2) Cost and schedule control This criterion evaluates the proposers' ability to control both cost and schedule. The proposer should provide evidence of successfully controlling cost and schedule for similar development programs and provide evidence of management processes in this area. (3) Facilities This criterion evaluates the proposers' facilities (development, testing, and analyses) to conduct the development or demonstration of the proposed task. The proposer should discuss facility availability, access, and the ability to meet the proposed objectives. Responses should be limited to 5 pages (12 point font) and address each of the criteria identified above. All responses should be sent to: NASA Langley Research Center, Attn: Rosemary R. Baize, Mail Stop 469, Building 1208A, Room 106, Hampton, VA 23681. The preferred method of submission is via email to: contact@example.gov. The due date for submission is September 3, 2003. Procurement questions should be directed to C. Tom Weih, NASA LaRC Procurement Office, +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov. The following LaRC technology proposal is seeking partnerships. (1) Space Based Laser Mass Spectrometer Technical point of contact: Russell DeYoung, +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov NASA Langley Research Center is seeking partners in the development of a space based laser mass spectrometer. It is intended that the instrument will fly on future missions designed to analyze the surface of planets, asteroids, and comets. The instrument would emit a laser pulse with sufficient energy to create a plasma on the surface, with the resulting ejection of ions that would subsequently be captured and analyzed at the spacecraft. Potential partners must have a demonstrated history of space based instrument experience. Specific technologies of interest for partnerships are: 1) Reflectron mass spectrometers that have the ability to quantitatively analyze elements from at least hydrogen to iron and their isotopes. 2) Electrostatic lens with the capability to focus ions having an effective aperture of 2-meters or greater. 3) Pulsed laser technology capable of producing pulse energies greater than 100 J/pulse at 1 Hz pulse repetition rate or greater.