According to the decadal study, a key component of the next 10 years of exploration will be sample return missions. However, these missions are exponentially more expensive than traditional…
Ended Grant For Research Awarded Last action
- Contract number
- 80NSSC18K0964
- Awardee
-
Exoterra Resource LLC UEI KG3LJWXMHJ25
- Awarding agency
-
Shared Services Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Obligated
- $497,008
Award facts
- Contract value 100% obligated
- $497,007.70 Current and potential, with all options
- Completion date 100% complete
-
- Current, with exercised options
- Potential, with all options
- NAICS code
- Not on record
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
- Competition
- Full and Open Competition Basic Research
- Pricing
- Other
- Place of performance
- Littleton, CO, USA
Award details come from SAM.gov/FPDS.
Transactions
| Action | Obligated | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Funding Only Action | $249,256 | |
| Funding Only Action | -$1,001 | |
| Original award | $248,753 |
About this award
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded a $497,007.70 grant for research to Exoterra Resource LLC, a solar electric propulsion company based in Littleton, Colorado. The NIMPH project aims to develop a micro in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) system to produce liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) propellant for sample return missions, which are significantly more expensive than traditional exploration missions due to the increased delta-V requirements. By leveraging CubeSat technology, the NIMPH project seeks to reduce the dry mass of the ISRU system by 90% compared to current systems, enabling missions to refuel at their destinations and dramatically reducing the overall mission size and cost. This contract is not set aside and is focused on research and development to support the next decade of space exploration as outlined in the decadal study.
Description
According to the decadal study, a key component of the next 10 years of exploration will be sample return missions. However, these missions are exponentially more expensive than traditional exploration missions because they need two times the delta-v, resulting in exponential growth of its initial mass due to the rocket equations. A key to offsetting this increased cost is through in-situ resource utilization and miniaturization. The nimph project develops a micro-isru system for producing LOX and LH2 for return propellant. The system takes advantage of developments in the cubesat arena to reduce the dry mass of the isru system by 90% compared to current systems. This will allow missions to refuel at their destinations, such as europa, mars and the lunar poles, drastically reducing the size and cost of the mission.
Quick answers
Who was awarded contract 80NSSC18K0964?
80NSSC18K0964 was awarded to Exoterra Resource LLC by Shared Services Center (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) on May 22, 2018.
How much is contract 80NSSC18K0964 worth?
The government has obligated $497,008 on 80NSSC18K0964.
Was contract 80NSSC18K0964 competed?
The extent of competition for 80NSSC18K0964 was full and open competition.
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