Task order no. NND12RR56T science and projects engineering and technical support for the science and research activities at NASA dryden flight research center (DFRC) subtask 1: requirements are for…

Task order no. NND12RR56T science and projects engineering and technical support for the science and research activities at NASA dryden flight research center (DFRC) subtask 1: requirements are for support in program management, analysis, engineering, and technical functions within the stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy (SOFIA) program. SOFIA is a joint program by NASA science mission directorate (SMD) and DLR deutsches zentrum FUR luft- UND raumfahrt (german aerospace center). SOFIA features a german-built 100-inch (2.5 meter) diameter far-infrared telescope weighing 20 tons mounted in the rear fuselage of a highly modified boeing 747SP aircraft. SOFIA's reflecting telescope will provide astronomers with access to the visible, infrared and sub-millimeter spectrum, with optimized performance in the mid-infrared to sub-millimeter range. Missions will be flown at altitudes of 39,000 to 45,000 feet, above 99 percent of the water vapor in the lower atmosphere that restrict the capabilities of ground-based observatories over most of the infrared and sub-millimeter spectral range. SOFIA will serve as a world-class airborne observatory that will be based in the dryden aircraft operations facility (DAOF) in palmdale, california. Subtask 2: this subtask provides for the engineering and project support to the airborne science program and its underlying projects at the NASA dryden flight research center (DFRC). The airborne science program is responsible for maintaining the aircraft and sensor assets that support the earth science division within the science mission directorate. DFRC aircraft include the gulfstream III (G-III) business jet, two ER-2 high-altitude research aircraft and a highly modified DC-8 airborne laboratory. As part of its uninhabited aerial systems (UAS) development effort, DFRC has acquired use to a predator B (IKHANA) and two global hawk aircraft. Subtask 3: this subtask provides for support of the over the horizon (OTH) project as part of the NASA airborne science program at DFRC. The OTH project will develop and demonstrate adaptive communications infrastructure and scientific instrument integration technology required for the resource-constrained environments of globally deployable aircraft platforms. This effort also includes documenting the operational, systems, and technology architectural views of suborbital OTH communication. Subtask 4: this subtask provides for the engineering and project support related to use of the NASA IKHANA aircraft. IKHANA is a general atomics predator B that serves as an aeronautical research aircraft for the earth sciences community. The IKHANA is a low-wing monoplane with a narrow fuselage and high-aspect-ratio wing, large V-shaped tail with ventral FIN, rear-mounted turboprop engine, and retractable tricycle landing gear. IKHANA is expected to operate at altitudes in the 40,000 to 45,000 feet region, with long endurances due to a high fuel capacity and the efficiency of the new digital electronic engine controller. Subtask 5: the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) integration in the national airspace system (NAS) is to demonstrate solutions in specific technology areas, which will address operational or safety issues related to UAS access to the NAS. Each technical area will transfer technologies to relevant stakeholders (FAA, DOD, and industry) through research transition teams, technology forums, or through other collaborative means. NASA has five areas identified for this project are: separation assurance, human systems integration (HSI), communications, certification, and integrated test and evaluation.