Low-Cost Infra-red (IR) Imaging Telescope RFI 2023

1.0 Introduction NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Astrophysics Division is currently assessing industry capability for low-cost infra-red (IR) imaging telescopes for space-based astrophysics imaging missions to gain knowledge of current capabilities that may relate to requirements for future missions. GSFC is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to request technical data and rough order of magnitude (ROM) pricing information related to applicable products and capabilities, to better understand current cost/performance relationships for IR image forming space-qualified telescopes suitable for astrophysics missions. GSFC anticipates the needs for one or more new low-cost IR imaging capable telescopes for the upcoming NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) Announcement of Opportunity, currently planned for Fiscal Year 2024, Q2 (Jan-March, 2024). SMEX class missions would require low-cost imaging payloads (telescope, filter wheel and focal plane) less than 180 kg meeting modest, but thermally stable, performance requirements. This is not a solicitation and GSFC anticipates no award of a contract because of this RFI. Therefore, all costs incurred in the development of your response are solely the responsibility of the respondent and not of GSFC. 2.0 Telescope design parameters, assumptions, and constraints Parameters such as mass, image quality, power, thermal stability, mission life, and other tradeable cost drivers are all of interest. Specifically, GSFC is interested in the ROM pricing and performance data of IR imaging telescopes (including thermal management and control electronics) with focal ratios on the order of f/8, total mass equal to or less than 180kg and delivery schedules on the order of 24 months or less; at price levels below $50M for compatibility with NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) program cost caps. Clear aperture diameters from 0.6m to 1.0m are envisioned for the missions under consideration. The current IR bandwidth range of interest spans from 0.48 to 2.0 microns. Currently no specific requirements are sought except for the IR bandwidth, mass limitation and cost cap, as performance requirements are yet in the definition phase. Maximizing image quality of a large field of view (FOV) is likely to be important to the success of the missions GSFC is studying. Orbits are most likely to be sun-synchronous, although other orbits are open for consideration. Mission life is likely to be on the order of 3 years. GSFC is open to consideration of either standalone IR imaging telescopes or complete payloads including filter wheel(s) and IR focal planes. Note that IR imaging telescopes must be able to accommodate a multi-position Element Wheel Assembly (EWA) at the exit pupil, sized to have multiple positions meeting full field image quality performance. Also note that designing such a wheel is not the subject of this RFI. 3.0 Information Requested Responses, at minimum, should address the following areas: Cost and Schedule Mass Angular Field of View (optical; with including the definition of the field stop) Transmissibility in the IR band of interest Thermal wavefront error stability in a low-Earth orbit Image Quality Metrics and Performance Image Quality Simulation Tools Heritage Performance Requirement Verification Approach Radiation Hardness / Orbit Suitability Management Approach and Tools ROM cost estimates should be for fully flight qualified space hardware. Where possible, information regarding the qualification program will be helpful to assess against NASA GSFC space qualification requirements. ROM costs should include both recurring costs (i.e., product line approaches) as well as nonrecurring costs, such as non-recurring engineering for a uniquely designed product. Pricing information is requested to be non-binding Rough Estimate only assuming a notional January 29th, 2024, start date, in current year US dollars. Information relative to past performance, ongoing contracts and research and development is not required but will be viewed as adding credibility to the respondent's capability assessment. All documentation received will be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed to anyone outside of NASA GSFC. In addition to the above, please provide your applicable organizational information including locations, size, type of business category, ownership, and points of contact. 4.0 Information for Respondents For purposes of this Request for Information, the NASA'S GSFC Astrophysics Team Point of Contact (POC) is Dave Richardson, David.H.Richardson@nasa.gov, or New Opportunities Office, 301-286-5442 (O). Respondents of interest to GSFC may be invited to present information and address questions onsite in Greenbelt, MD at a later date. 5.0 Instructions for Submission To support our internal schedules, it is required that your RFI response be returned no later than 5:00 PM, EST, June 16, 2023, to the attention of the POC. Responses should be emailed to the POC. Thank you very much for your attention to this request, GSFC appreciates your interest in supporting our nation's and our world's endeavors in exploring our universe. We look forward to receiving your response. Please do not hesitate to contact the POC with any general or technical questions.