Current planning calls for NASA SMD to release an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) in Q3 of FY2023 (Apr-2022 to Jun-2022) to solicit proposals for a Small Explorer (SMEX) to accomplish Heliophysics Explorer Program science objectives. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is developing a mission concept to be proposed to this AO.
This partnership opportunity is being issued to select teaming partner(s) to serve as the instrument integrator for an individual mission; provide part of a flight-qualified Class D payload, lead payload integration support, environmental testing, integration support to the launch vehicle, and initial mission operations (launch and early orbit operations). GSFC intends to maintain an essential degree of insight into payload design and integration and will exercise essential oversight to ensure that the implementation is responsive to NASA requirements and constraints as will be defined in upcoming AO.
NOTE: Upon selection, GSFC may discuss and further tailor the roles proposed by respondents in the best interests of the proposal.
The proposed mission is currently in pre-Phase A. If the proposal is selected by NASA SMD, the next step in the proposal process is a mission concept study culminating in a Concept Study Report (CSR), which is the Step 2 proposal, and a Site Visit. The following schedule should be used as a basis for responses to this opportunity:
Release of draft AO - Jan-Mar 2022 (3 months prior to AO release)
Release of AO - Q3 FY22 (Apr-Jun 2022)
Step 1 Proposals due - 90 days after AO release
Step 1 Selection, Phase A study Start - Jan 2023 (approximate)
Concept Study Report due - 9 months after selection
Site Visit - 3 months after CSR due
Step 2 Down-selection, Phase B Start - May 2024 (approximate)
Vendor Development start date - Vendor specified
Payload Delivery date - 6 months prior to launch
Launch Readiness Date - NLT 2028
PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL DETAILS.