Plan to Facilitate Commercial On-Orbit Robotic Servicing

Purpose: With this synopsis update, NASA provides additional information about its plans to facilitate domestic, commercial on-orbit robotic satellite servicing. This release provides updates to the information for the Satellite Servicing Technology Transfer Plan listed in the 8/16/16 synopsis and invites domestic companies to send representatives to the first of the industry days related to satellite servicing technology at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on 4/19/17. Companies may be interested in these technologies either to service their own clients or to ensure that their spacecraft can be easily serviced by incorporating cooperative servicing aids. The latest version of the plan incorporates suggestions received in response to the earlier synopsis. Background: NASA is officially moving forward with plans to execute the ambitious, technology-rich Restore-L Mission, an endeavor to launch a robotic spacecraft in 2020 to refuel an operational client. The mission - the first of its kind in Low-Earth Orbit - will demonstrate that a carefully curated suite of satellite-servicing technologies is fully operational. The planned client for this venture is Landsat 7, a government-owned satellite in Low-Earth orbit. Beyond refueling Landsat 7, the Restore-L Mission also carries the objective of testing other crosscutting technologies that have applications for several critical upcoming NASA missions. As the Restore-L servicer rendezvous with, captures, berths, refuels, and relocates the client spacecraft, NASA will be checking important items off of its technology checklist that puts humans closer to Mars exploration. Within NASA, the agency plans to infuse Restore-L derived technologies and capabilities to meet the agency's objectives for science and exploration, including the Asteroid Redirect Mission, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), Orion, and the Journey to Mars. Candidate applications for individual satellite servicing technologies could include on-orbit manufacturing and assembly, propellant depots, observatory servicing, and orbital debris management. NASA anticipates that Restore-L-derived technologies and capabilities will help unlock numerous new and perhaps unforeseen opportunities. In parallel with the development and execution of this mission, NASA plans to transfer satellite servicing technologies to interested domestic U.S. commercial entities to help jumpstart a commercial on-orbit robotic satellite servicing capability, as well as to help ensure the serviceability of satellites. NASA is interested in a strong domestic, commercial satellite-servicing industry that could potentially provide the U.S. government with cost-effective options for meeting future mission needs while also bolstering the domestic economy. Note that in addition to Restore-L, NASA's Satellite Servicing Projects Division (SSPD) is working on other satellite servicing technology demonstration projects such as Raven and Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM). Technologies from these efforts will also be available for transfer to domestic commercial industry. Industry has already expressed its interest in taking advantage of NASA-developed servicing technologies in various forums, including responses to NASA's Requests for Information, workshops, interviews, meetings, and also public outlets. This synopsis aims to continue this dialogue with industry by describing NASA's plan to transfer satellite servicing technologies and soliciting feedback. Plan for the Transfer of Satellite Servicing Technology NASA plans to offer the following to domestic industry through its Satellite Servicing Technology Transfer Plan. - Direct transfer of a rolling portfolio of technologies and software through patent licenses and other agreements: NASA will provide a catalog of the technologies being developed for Restore-L and other projects with a description of the current capability and maturity of each technology, environments for which each technology will be qualified, and overall target timeline for technology transfer; - Access to NASA's programmatic, technical and operational expertise in satellite servicing through reasonable contact/engagement with the NASA satellite servicing team during the development and execution of the Restore-L Mission and after its conclusion; - Invitations to attend industry days, which provide a forum for up-to-date data from major Restore-L and other SSPD projects such as Raven and Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) reviews; - Access to major Restore-L review packages post-review (note that packages will be redacted to remove some programmatic information and all third-party intellectual property); - Access to Restore-L Mission Operation Control rooms and other facilities at established intervals during mission development and rehearsals for on-orbit operations; - Opportunity after mission completion to review additional data not available real-time during the mission; - The benefit of NASA's mature, vetted technology transfer processes already in place; - An open and level playing field for all domestic entities; - Time for participants to consider other options for cooperating in these areas, such as forums to discuss and transfer experience beyond tangible technology items such as best practices and Concept of Operations (ConOps) - Forums for the government to facilitate additional opportunities for commercial companies to demonstrate use of technologies, such as identifying public-private partnerships. Note that participation in these activities and offerings will be limited to domestic entities and persons, since many of these items will contain International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data. Participants must show that they have a legitimate use for the technology and that they are capable of implementing and enhancing the technology. They must also demonstrate that they are capable of handling ITAR data responsibly. Technology Transfer. Under the current plan, NASA would transfer its satellite servicing technologies, including software, to domestic industry. NASA foresees use of agreements such as Space Act Agreements (SAAs) and/or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) to implement this plan, with transfer of commercial rights via non-exclusive licenses. These agreements would require that any NASA support (beyond reasonable access) be reimbursable. Industry Days. NASA plans to host industry days for domestic industry to receive data from major SSPD Project reviews. The initial industry day is scheduled for 4/19/17 and future industry days will be held approximately every 8 months until Restore-L launch. Access to Facilities. NASA also plans to provide domestic industry controlled access to the Mission Operations Control rooms for Restore-L and the Robotic Operations Center at NASA Goddard during specific times before/during the Restore-L Mission. Post-mission Workshop. In conjunction with its technology transfer plan, NASA also plans to host a workshop after Restore-L services its client to provide post-flight data and lessons learned. Satellite Servicing Technologies for Servicer The satellite servicing technologies useful for the developer of a servicer that will be available fall into the following general categories, and may include: - Relative navigation system: sensor suite (visible, infrared, laser), algorithms (range, bearing, pose); - Servicing avionics & software: SpaceCubeTM processor, Video Distribution & Storage Unit; - Robot arm and software: NASA Servicing Arm, Robot Electronics Unit, robot flight software - Tool drive system & tools: Advanced Tool Drive System, sophisticated servicing tools (gripper, blanket cutter, wire cutter, cap removal, & nozzle tool) and adapters; - Fluid Transfer System: Propellant Transfer Assembly, zero-g fluid flow meter, hose management system; Satellite Servicing Technologies for Client The satellite servicing technologies useful to developing a cooperative client for servicing may include the following cooperative servicing aids: - Rendezvous decals - Cooperative Servicing Valve. Response to Synopsis Domestic industry interested in attending the first industry day on 4/19/17 shall provide the following information for each potential attendee at least ten (10) business days prior to the announced industry day (Note, NASA may need to limit number of representatives from each company based upon the total number of registered attendees.): - Name (first name, middle initial, last Name) - Affiliation/Company - Citizenship (US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident [LPR/Green Card] - E-mail - Phone number This invitation is intended for organizations interested in commercializing satellite servicing technology being developed by NASA. Due to the content of the presentations and facility security requirements, only U.S. citizens may attend. All attendees will be required to present government issued photo identification upon entry to the event. Attendance is not required to participate in the technology transfer process, but if interested contact NASA about your interest by sending an e-mail to the point of contact listed below. Each company represented will also be required to execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to NASA disclosing to them. All synopsis queries must be submitted via e-mail to the point of contact listed below. Please reference NNG16FC99RFI mod 1 in any response. In addition, if your company has a specific need for information about a technology prior to industry day please submit your inquiries to be handled on a case-by-case basis. Similarly, if your company is interested in a one-on-one meeting with NASA technologists after the industry day, please indicate your interest so we can discuss scheduling. All submissions shall be submitted via e-mail or other electronic means. E-mail the Point of Contact (POC) listed below no later than ten (10) business days prior to the first industry day'by 4/5/17, 5:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time. Any files may be submitted in MS Word, PDF, or RTF format. All responses shall use a minimum 12-point font size for text. Disclaimers It is not NASA's intent to publicly disclose Respondents proprietary information obtained in response to this synopsis. 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. It is emphasized that this Synopsis is NOT a Request for Proposal, Quotation, or Invitation for Bid. This Synopsis is for information and planning purposes only, subject to FAR Clause 52.215-3 titled - Solicitation for Information or Planning Purposes, and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contractual agreement. The Government will not pay for information submitted in response to this Synopsis. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the FedBizOpps website. It is the responsibility of any potential offerors/bidders to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation, synopsis, or related documents. As part of its assessment of industry capabilities, the NASA-GSFC may contact respondents to this Synopsis if clarifications or further information is needed. Primary Point of Contact Name: Mary Reph Title: Commercial Servicing Facilitation Manager Phone: 301.286-1917 e-mail: mary.g.reph@nasa.gov