SPECIAL NOTICE
18 -- ORBITAL DEBRIS MITIGATION OPTIONS FOR CUBESAT MISSIONS
- Notice Date
- 4/23/2012
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Procurement, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899
- ZIP Code
- 32899
- Solicitation Number
- NNK12ZOP001L
- Archive Date
- 4/23/2013
- Point of Contact
- Helena Jo Wilkas, Contract Specialist, Phone 321-867-4133, Fax 321-867-4848, Email helena.j.wilkas@nasa.gov - John M. Vondenhuevel, Contracting Officer, Phone 321-476-4756, Fax 321-476-4746, Email John.Vondenhuevel-1@ksc.nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Helena Jo Wilkas
(helena.j.wilkas@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- INTRODUCTIONThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Launch Service Program (LSP)invites you to submit a response to this inquiry to assist in the planning anddevelopment of potential launch opportunities for Cubesat missions on-boardNASA-sponsored Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) launch services. LSP serves as theAgency's provider of domestic expendable launch services and advisor on expendable launchsystems. LSP oversees mission integration, mission analysis, launch vehicle production,and down range telemetry assets at various domestic and international locations. Theprogram manages launch site activities at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS)and Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). Additionally, the program supports, when necessary,launches from other locations such as Kodiak, Alaska, Kwajalein Island, and the WallopsFlight Facility. The objectives of this RFI are: 1) to invite industry to submit information that willallow NASA to assess various design alternatives for orbital debris mitigation optionsapplicable to Cubesat missions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO); 2) to improve NASA's knowledgeof industry's capability and viability; and 3) to improve the overall understanding ofCubesat mission designs consistent with NPR 8715.6A, NASA Procedural Requirements forLimiting Orbital Debris, NASA STD 8719.14, Process for Limiting Orbital Debris, and NASAHandbook 8719.14, Handbook for Limiting Orbital Debris.BACKGROUNDCubesats are a new generation of satellites whose unique small size and relative low costallow small private companies and institutions to launch their own projects into space.The missions typically end within one year of launch and the Cubesats remain in theheavily populated LEO as inactive spacecraft. As auxiliary payloads, Cubesats cannotcurrently be equipped with propulsion or pressurized systems and must be 1.33 kg per 10cmx 10cm x 10cm unit (up to 3 units). These design restrictions, in conjunction with agencyorbital debris requirements, have thus far limited the types of orbits that can beachieved. While all orbital debris requirements need to be addressed and met, the mostcommon requirements affecting Cubesats are risk of on-orbit collision (4.5) and orbitlifetime (4.6). NASA STD 8719.14 states in requirement 4.5-1 there must be less than1:1,000 probability of collision with any existing space objects which are greater than10 cm. Additionally, placing a Cubesat in an orbit above approximately 650 km circularviolates requirement 4.6-1, which states that the orbital lifetime for anynon-functioning spacecraft within LEO must be less than 25 years, if it is not placedinto an otherwise acceptable disposal orbit.SPECIFIC INFORMATION SOLICITEDGiven the parameters described above, Respondents to this RFI are requested to comment ontechnology developed by industry for post-mission disposal of Cubesats through methodsincluding, but not limited to, atmospheric reentry, maneuvering to disposable orbits, anddirect retrieval. In addition, please include the following information with yoursubmittal:Organization name, address, principal activity of organization, primary point ofcontact, and telephone number.Capabilities and qualifications statement that addresses your ability to provideexpertise relevant to the implementation of Cubesat missions.Summary of orbital debris mitigation concept, including how it is uniquelysuitable for the low-cost Cubesat mission approach.Technology development required by the submitted concept/idea including (ifappropriate) the maturity level of the respondents technologies in terms of heritage,with supporting evidence for the claimed heritage, and an estimate of investments todate.Other pertinent information that the Respondent deems necessary.RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONSThe requested responses are for information and planning purposes only. NASA does notintend to post information or questions received to any website or public accesslocation, or notify individual respondents of evaluation results. Feedback to this RFImay be utilized in formulating the Governments acquisition strategy and documents. Respondents deemed qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for therequirement. Responses may be submitted as papers, presentations, or videos with a limit of ten (10)pages, twenty (20) slides, or five (5) minutes respectively. Acceptable formats includeMS Word, PowerPoint,.pdf, or.mov. Font should be Times New Roman, minimum size 12. Responses should reference NNK12ZOP001L. Please submit responses no later than 4:00PMEST on May 25, 2012, to NASA/KSC Procurement Office, Attn: OP-LS, Helena Wilkas,Contracts Specialist, Kennedy Space Center, FL32899, or via email atHelena.J.Wilkas@nasa.gov.NASA reserves the right to share information received in response to this RFI throughoutNASA and to use all information submitted in response to this RFI in NASAs formulationof a solicitation seeking competitive proposals. Competition sensitive data should beclearly marked and will not be shared outside of the immediate NASA team. Please advise if this item is considered a commercial or commercial type product, asdefined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101.This preliminary information is being made available for planning purposes only, subjectto FAR Clause 52.215-3, entitled Solicitation for Information and Planning Purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal, Invitation for Bid, or Request forQuotation, and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter intoa contract. Moreover, the Government will not pay for the information submitted inresponse to this RFI, nor will the Government reimburse a Respondent for costs incurredto prepare responses to this RFI. No Solicitation exists at this time; therefore, do not request a copy of thesolicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in FedBizOps and onthe NASA Acquisition Internet Service (NAIS). Firms that respond to this RFI will beplaced on any future mailing list for this acquisition. However, it is theresponsibility of the respondent to monitor these websites for the release of anysolicitation or synopsis. POINT OF CONTACT:Contracts Specialist: Helena Wilkas, Contracts Specialist, Phone (321)867-4133, Fax(321)867-4848, Email: Helena.J.Wilkas@nasa.gov
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