NASA Seeks Space Launch System Advanced Development Solutions

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., has issued a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for advanced development proposals to support the nation's next heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS). NASA is soliciting proposals from industry and academia for innovative advanced development in areas including concept development, trades and analyses, propulsion, structures, materials, manufacturing, avionics and software. These efforts will focus on affordability and sustainability of the SLS as it evolves from a 70-metric-ton vehicle to a 130-metric-ton vehicle.

"We look forward to hearing from both industry and academia on advanced development solutions that will enable the full capability of the evolved Space Launch System," said Mindy Niedermeyer, the evaluation team chair. "It's an exciting time for NASA. These solutions will create entirely new developments in space technology, taking humans farther in space than ever before."

NASA anticipates making multiple awards in response to this solicitation with approximately $48 million in total funding. Of this total amount, the funding anticipated for the base year (Fiscal Year 2013) is $22 million, with $14.5 million for the first year option (Fiscal Year 2014), and $11.5 million for the second year option (Fiscal Year 15). Total funding to be allocated to academic awards for this NRA is approximately $1.5 million per year. Individual academic awards are expected to be valued up to $250,000 per year.

NASA Seeks Proposals for Green Propellant Technology Demonstrations

NASA is seeking technology demonstration proposals for green propellant alternatives to the highly toxic fuel hydrazine. As NASA works with American companies to open a new era of access to space, the agency seeks innovative and transformative fuels that are less harmful to our environment.

Hydrazine is an efficient and ubiquitous propellant that can be stored for long periods of time, but is also highly corrosive and toxic. It is used extensively on commercial and defense department satellites as well as for NASA science and exploration missions. NASA is looking for an alternative that decreases environmental hazards and pollutants, has fewer operational hazards and shortens rocket launch processing times.

"High performance green propulsion has the potential to significantly change how we travel in space," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "NASA's Space Technology Program seeks out these sort of cross-cutting, innovative technologies to enable our future missions while also providing benefit to the American space industry. By reducing the hazards of handling fuel, we can reduce ground processing time and lower costs for rocket launches, allowing a greater community of researchers and technologists access to the high frontier."