REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)Feasibility of using Constellation Architecture for Servicing Existing and FutureObservatory-Class Scientific SpacecraftAstrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASAGeneral Information:Solicitation Number: NNH09ZDA010LRelease Date: June 10, 2009Response Date: August 10, 2009Classification Code: A -- Research and DevelopmentThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is soliciting informationthrough this Request for Information (RFI) to improve its understanding of using thecapabilities of its Constellation System, adaptations of the Constellation Systemarchitectures, and/or robotic technologies to service a wide range of notional scienceobservatory-class spacecraft. The NASA-defined notional missions studied will beconsistent with NASAs current portfolio of future space science missions and/orconceptual mission ideas that were presented to the National Research Councils (NRCs)Committee on Science Opportunities Enabled by NASAs Constellation System during thespring of 2008. These notional missions include observatories designed to operate inLow-Earth Orbit (LEO), at Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), and at Earth-Sun Lagrangianpoints L1 and L2.NASA is broadly seeking information concerning technologies, architectures, and servicingconcepts (i.e., what elements of the mission are worth considering for serviceability,how, and why?) relevant to on-orbit servicing of observatory-class spacecraft.In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), the information requested is for planning purposes onlyand not intended to bind the Government. Background:NASA has been directed in the FY 2009 omnibus appropriations bill (P.L. 111-8) to assessthe feasibility, practicality, and cost of using the Constellation System architecture toservice observatory-class scientific spacecraft. NASA will fully utilize the unique coreexpertise and competencies for in-space servicing (human and robotic) developed by theNASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), the private sector, other government agencies,and academic partners to meet the objectives of the study. NASA will execute a robust 16-month study, managed by the Science Mission Directorate(SMD) with GSFC leading the analysis. The planning activity began in May 2009 and a finalreport to Congress is due in September 2010.NASA will assess the full business case associated with observatory serviceability. Thiswill include the assessment of science and spacecraft capabilities enabled by servicing,and what modifications would be necessary for the Constellation System architecture toprovide human and/or robotic servicing capability, including the costs associated withproviding, maintaining, and operating such servicing capabilities. Launch vehicle andsupporting services, scientific spacecraft/payload, and technology related costs willalso be assessed as part of the full business case analysis.The feasibility of using the Constellation System architecture to serviceobservatory-class spacecraft will be assessed by considering a wide range of notionalmissions. The notional missions studied will be consistent with NASAs current portfolioof future missions and/or conceptual mission ideas that were presented to the NRCsCommittee on Science Opportunities Enabled by NASAs Constellation System during thespring of 2008. These notional missions include observatories designed to operate inLow-Earth Orbit (LEO), at Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), and at Earth-Sun Lagrangianpoints L1 and L2. Description of Anticipated Requirement:In order to complete this study, NASA must address the challenges posed by robotic andhuman servicing of observatory-class space science missions using the ConstellationSystem architecture as a starting point. Through this RFI, NASA seeks to raise itsawareness of the technologies required, their current state of maturity, possiblearchitectures, science enhancements that may result from servicing, and the programmaticrequirements associated with the implementation.In conjunction with this RFI, and to further support the study, NASA will conduct aseries of three workshops that are designed to examine and assess servicing concepts. Workshop I Pre-RFI workshop. Around June 27, 2009. NASA will describe the notionalmissions and answer questions regarding the organization, scope, and period ofperformance of the study. This Workshop will provide information that is not available atthe time of the release of this RFI to potential responders.Responses to this RFI are due between Workshop I and Workshop II.Workshop II Post-RFI Workshop. October 2009. RFI responders will have an opportunity topresent ideas, concepts, architectures and/or technologies that could be used to servicethe defined notional missions. The NASA evaluation team will use the following criteriafor considering RFI responses and identifying responders who will be invited to presentat Workshop II.1. What life-extension or performance enhancements are enabled by servicing that, ifnot for servicing, would require a replacement spacecraft or mission?2. Is it cost-effective to service the observatory-class spacecraft to either extendits operational life or to significantly increase its scientific capabilities?(a) Does use of the Constellation Systems elements make a previously impossible missiontechnically feasible?(b) Does use of the Constellation Systems elements reduce mission risk?(c) Does use of the Constellation System capabilities offer a significant cost reductionin the cost of accomplishing the mission? 3. Are there other architectures or modifications/enhancements to the ConstellationSystem that would enable servicing?4. Is robotic servicing an option, and what are the benefits and risks for thespecific servicing concept?At the conclusion of this Workshop II, NASA will invite respondents (drawn from theprivate sector, other government agencies, and academic partners) to participate inteams. These teams will have approximately three months to study, in detail, theservicing concepts associated with specific mission, technology, or architecture topics.Each team will deliver and present a final report at the end of the study period.Additional information on the plans for study teams will be provided at Workshop I.Workshop III Post-Study Workshop. March 2010. Final presentation of study team reportsto the NASA evaluation team. Workshop schedules and logistical information will be posted onhttp://ServicingStudy.gsfc.nasa.gov/ . Descriptions of the NASA-defined notionalmissions and the Constellation System will also be posted to the website. This websitewill also serve as the repository for all information submitted and collected during thisfeasibility study. All submitted information will be shared with all participants andwill be made publically available. All dates contained in this RFI are tentative. Pleaseconsult the website for actual dates and times. Please notify NASA of your intent toparticipate in these workshops by responding via the website.It is NASAs intent to publicly disclose information obtained through this RFI and toincorporate relevant portions in the report to be submitted to Congress. Proposers shallnot submit proprietary information, export controlled information (including ITARrestricted information), or confidential information in response to this RFI.This RFI is for planning and information purposes only and is not a commitment by theGovernment to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the government pay forinformation solicited.Requested Information:The response to this RFI will be in the form of a PDF document that is uploaded throughNASAs NSPIRES system (see instructions below). Responses should not exceed ten pages inlength.The response must contain the following information: Name of submitter and contact information (institutional affiliation, phonenumber, email address); Capabilities and qualifications statement that addresses your ability to provideexpertise relevant to the analyses for the servicing study.Responses should provide the following information (by numbered sections), if possible,to aid the NASA evaluation team in identifying responders who will be invited to presentat Workshop II:1. A summary of the servicing concept, including how it is uniquely enabled by theConstellation System or robotic systems;2. A summary of the science goals, including a description of how the proposedservicing concept will help advance science;3. Other factors pertaining to the servicing concepts should be provided:o Whether the mission has been identified as a high priority or requirement inprevious studies, for example the NRC reports Astronomy and Astrophysics in the NewMillennium (2001) and or Launching Science: Science Opportunities Enabled by NASAsConstellation System (2008);o A discussion of technology development required by the proposed servicingconcept/idea (including, if appropriate) the maturity level of the respondent'stechnologies in terms of heritage, with supporting evidence for the claimed heritage, andan estimate of investments to date; o Risk mitigation provided by use of the Constellation or the robotic servicingsystem.Instructions:All responses submitted in response to this RFI must be submitted in electronic form viaNSPIRES, the NASA online announcement data management system, located athttp://nspires.nasaprs.com/ . For this RFI, a response submission will take the form ofa Notice of Intent (NOI) within the NSPIRES online announcement data management system.The RFI response itself will be a PDF-formatted document that is attached (uploaded) tothe NSPIRES system.You must be registered with NSPIRES to submit a RFI response. See registrationinstructions at http://nspires.nasaprs.com (select Getting an account). Neitherinstitution registration nor an institution affiliation is required to respond to thisRFI.1. Log in to your account at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ .2. Select Proposals from your account page.3. Select Create NOI from your proposals page.4. Click Continue on the next page.5. Select Request for Information: NNH09ZDA010L (Feasibility of using ConstellationArchitecture for Servicing Existing and Future Observatory-Class Scientific Spacecraft)from the bullet list of announcements. Click Continue.6. Enter RFI response title (NOI title field will be shown).7. Select do not link at this time for submitting organization page.8. Click Save on next page.9. It is not necessary to complete any of the NOI Details; all requestedinformation must be included in the attached PDF document. Information which is enteredinto NOI Details but not included in the attached PDF document will not be considered.10. Prepare your RFI response offline and save as a PDF document (note NSPIRESinstructions on .pdf formats). The response document must include the respondents Name,institution, phone number, and E-mail address so the file is self-contained. File namesformat should be Respondent Last Name - First Name - RFI. The response should notexceed ten pages in length.11. To attach (upload) your PDF document:a. Click add under NOI attachments section;b. Select Proposal Document from the drop down list;c. Browse to attach your PDF file;d. Select Upload;e. Click OK;f. Your RFI document has been uploaded to NSPIRES.12. Click Submit NOI button.Please note: You may delete and replace form fields and uploaded documents anytime beforethe submission deadline. Submitted NOIs cannot be deleted.Contact Point:Questions regarding the RFI should be addressed to Ms. Lia LaPiana, AstrophysicsDivision, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration,Washington, DC 20546; Telephone (202) 358-0346; E-mail: [email protected].

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