22N ASCENT Thruster RFI.pdf

Rev.: 08/2025

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO PROPOSALS ARE TO BE

SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

This notice is issued by the NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center to post a Statement of Work to solicit responses from interested parties. This document is for information and planning purposes and to allow industry the opportunity to verify reasonableness and feasibility of the requirement, as well as promote competition.

According to NASA industry experts, there are currently no known commercial vendors offering flight qualified, high throughput low-toxicity thrusters in the 22 Newton (N) thrust class. The vendor chosen will be able to demonstrate that it can meet the requirements laid out in this Request for Information (RFI).

NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for the development of 22 Newton, low-toxicity (ASCENT) flight qualified thrusters which can be used reliably for spacecraft science missions. Science mission activities which drive thruster flight qualification include:

• Use of a low-toxicity, ASCENT propellant.

• Attitude Control System (ACS) thruster/pulse mode operation engines (LEO observatory missions).

• Qualification for operations in deep space or low-earth-orbit (LEO) environments.

• Thruster must be able to handle long duration quiescent periods during spacecraft operations.

Flight qualification for this class of thruster as applied to the science mission activities should focus on the following thruster performance requirements and characteristics, please see the attached Statement of Work (TDM-25-22N- SOW) and Specification Document (TDM-25-22N -SPEC) for details on qualification requirements.

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek information on companies that can identify and provide a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost and schedule information for the following elements of the thruster qualification development. The draft requirements defined in the TDM-25-22N -SPEC document represent the Government's understanding of scope required to achieve TRL 8. Table 1 below lists the Technical Elements that will be required to satisfy the TRL 8 criteria as defined in NPR 7123.1D Appendix E.

Table 1: Draft TRL-8 Thruster Qualification Technical Elements

Technical Element Cost Requested

Most Significant Cost Driver

Schedule Requested

Technical Roadblocks

A paper study to scale to 22 N from an existing engine (include throughput) Produce a Heavyweight Chamber to Show Catalyst Life & Scaling

Flight Valve Design

Flight Valve Demonstration

Flight Valve Qualification

Flight Engine Design, incl. catalyst, materials, structure

Flight-grade engine production

Flight-grade engine hot fire demonstration to show thermal capability

Flight-grade engine hot fire qualification

Flight-grade engine environmental qualification

The Government is additionally interested in identifying opportunities to reduce cost and / or schedule for this thruster qualification activity. Using the same format as provided in Table 1, please adjust the Technical Element scope, (e.g., change 'flight grade' to 'development grade', remove 'qualification' activities) to meet TRL 7 criteria as defined in NPR 7123.1D Appendix E. Update the Cost Requested, Most Significant Cost Driver, Schedule Requested, and Technical Roadblocks assessments.

Table 2: Draft TRL-7 Thruster Qualification Technical Elements

Technical Element (Modify as needed by responder)

Cost Requested

Most

Technical Roadblocks

A paper study to scale to 22 N from an existing engine (include throughput)

Produce a Heavyweight

Flight Valve Design

Flight Valve Demonstration

Flight Valve Qualification

Flight Engine Design, incl. catalyst, materials, structure

Flight-grade engine production

Flight-grade engine hot fire demonstration to show thermal capability

Flight-grade engine hot fire qualification

Flight-grade engine environmental qualification

Please also perform this same assessment to meet TRL 6 criteria, using the Table 3 format with appropriate Technical Element modifications and associated Cost Requested, Most Significant Cost Driver, Schedule Requested, and Technical Roadblocks.

Table 3: Draft TRL-6 Thruster Qualification Technical Elements

Technical Element (Modify as needed by responder)

Cost Requested

Most

Technical Roadblocks

A paper study to scale to 22 N from an existing engine (include throughput)

Produce a Heavyweight

Flight Valve Design

Demonstration

Qualification

Flight Engine Design, incl. catalyst, materials, structure Flight-grade engine production Flight-grade engine hot fire demonstration to show thermal capability Flight-grade engine hot fire qualification Flight-grade engine environmental qualification

Responses are requested to identify any unduly restrictive requirements or potential areas of non-compliance in the TDM-25-22N -SPEC document. This includes both unreasonable technical specifications and significant cost obstacles. Where there is non-compliance, please state if the TDM-25-22N -SPEC is considered unnecessarily stringent or if a Non-Recurrent Effort (NRE) could be pursued to achieve compliance on that particular requirement (and associated cost). If the respondent has an alternative standard or approach that would achieve compliance per a particular requirement, please note this standard or approach in the response.

This pre-solicitation synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response. The Government may not respond to questions/concerns submitted. The Government will use the information to finalize a Request For Proposal (RFP) as necessary.

All comments or questions shall be submitted electronically via email to Jane Bush via email at jane.thomas.bush@nasa.gov and Nehemiah Williams at nehemiah.j.williams@nasa.gov, no later than 9/13/2025, at 4:00 PM Central Time. When responding, reference “22 N ASCENT Thruster Qualification.”

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement- Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf

If a solicitation is released, then it and any additional document will be available on Sam.gov.

It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this website for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments, if any.

NASA intends to publicize a listing of respondents to facilitate teaming arrangements.

Should your firm desire not to be included in this listing, clearly indicate this desire in your response.

mailto:jane.thomas.bush@nasa.gov mailto:nehemiah.j.williams@nasa.gov https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf http://www.sam.gov/

Attachments:

1. Statement of Work (SOW) TDM-25-22N -SOW

2. Deliverable Items List and Schedule (DILS) (Appendix A in SOW)

3. Performance Specification (SPEC) TDM-25-22N -SPEC