Planetary Surface Systems Innovation

The contract under the title Planetary Surface Systems Innovation seeks advancements in technologies essential for sustained operations on the surfaces of the Moon and Mars, focusing on habitats capable of supporting human life in extreme environments, systems for in-situ resource utilization to extract and process local materials, and innovative mobility solutions that enable efficient traversal across challenging terrains. These efforts are critical to enabling long-term exploration and potential settlement beyond Earth, with emphasis on reliability, autonomy, and integration of systems that operate under low gravity, radiation, and dust exposure. The solicitation is open as a subcontract opportunity under NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, targeting organizations with expertise in aerospace engineering, robotics, materials science, and life support systems to contribute to the next generation of planetary surface infrastructure. Responses are due by August 13, 2026, following a posting date of July 1, 2026, and the effort is classified under NAICS code 541715 for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. While no specific set-aside or organizational type is designated, the work is expected to involve collaboration among private industry, academia, and research institutions. The place of performance is not fixed, allowing for flexible implementation as long as deliverables align with NASA’s mission objectives. Interested parties can access full details through NASA’s NSPIRES portal to prepare proposals that demonstrate technical innovation, feasibility, and scalability for real-world planetary deployment.