Attachment A2- Topic 2- Statement of Objectives - Amendment 3.pdf

Attachment A2: Statement of Objectives (SOO) Topic 2 NextSTEP-3 Appendix A

1. PURPOSE

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) defines the mission need, objectives, desired outcomes, and constraints to enable industry to propose commercially viable and credible solutions for a system-level In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Oxygen from Regolith Production demonstration.

Offerors are expected to apply independent scientific and engineering judgment in selecting technical approaches and proposed solutions that best satisfy the objectives and outcomes defined herein.

See Appendix A for additional solicitation details.

2. BACKGROUND/MISSION NEED

ISRU capabilities enable a sustainable human and robotic presence on the lunar surface and are aligned with NASA Civil Space Shortfalls for producing propellant, consumables, and usable materials from lunar resources. Current technology gaps exist in demonstrating integrated oxygen extraction systems from lunar regolith at scales relevant to future exploration missions.

While individual oxygen extraction and regolith processing technologies have matured independently to approximately Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5–6, NASA seeks to mature integrated system-level capability through demonstration of subsystem interoperability, interface maturity, and system performance in relevant operational environments. Prior efforts have largely focused on component-level validation; however, significant technical risk remains associated with integration, interface compatibility, system controls, operational sequencing, and end-to-end performance validation.

This effort is fundamentally a research and development initiative intended to mature integrated ISRU oxygen production system concepts and reduce risk for future lunar surface architectures.

The demonstration is intended to validate both hardware and system-level models while informing future mission trades, system scaling, and architecture decisions. NASA anticipates using results from this effort to support future sustained lunar exploration initiatives and potential oxygen production architectures supporting surface operations and propellant generation.

Component technology development has advanced across multiple industries and government performers, particularly in oxygen extraction reactor technologies. This solicitation seeks to integrate these higher-TRL technologies into a credible system-level demonstration while maintaining flexibility for Offerors to propose innovative system engineering, integration, and operational approaches. NASA anticipates the significant use of developed hardware in order to meet the system integration timeline and requirements. While innovative solutions are not prohibited, the readiness of system elements will be considered.

3. OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of this effort is to demonstrate an integrated Oxygen-from-Regolith ISRU system capable of advancing system-level technology maturity through integrated testing. The effort shall focus on reducing system integration risk, validating interfaces between subsystems, characterizing oxygen production performance, and developing models and data products to support future flight system trades and scaling assessments.

Successful efforts shall address the following key objectives:

3.1 Objective 1 – Demonstrate advancement of Oxygen-from-Regolith ISRU technologies from component-level TRL 5–6 to an integrated system-level demonstration approaching TRL 5.

The demonstration shall validate system integration, subsystem interoperability, and operational functionality

3.2 Objective 2 - Identify, integrate, and demonstrate all major components required for an Oxygen-from-Regolith ISRU system at a defined and scalable system level (see Attachment B2. Proposals shall define hardware selection, integration approaches, testing strategies, and schedules necessary to achieve system demonstration objectives.

3.3 Objective 3 – Demonstrate integrated system operation under relevant environmental and operational conditions representative of lunar oxygen production processes. Testing shall characterize oxygen production performance, cleanliness, interface functionality, and operational stability across integrated subsystems

3.4 Objective 4 – Develop estimates and assessments for scaling demonstrated technologies toward future pilot-scale and full-scale lunar oxygen production systems. Assessments shall address system mass, power, scalability, operational considerations, and key flight-forward design implications. Scaling a system via modularization is acceptable, but projected SWAP and operational considerations of the scaled, multi module system must be stated.

3.5 Objective 5 6 Develop system-level models that are validated against integrated test results which are capable of supporting architecture studies, performance assessments, scaling evaluations, and future lunar ISRU trade studies. Models and supporting data products shall be deliverable to NASA for future analysis and integration into broader ISRU frameworks.

4. PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

The requirements contained in Attachment B2 establish the technical/performance requirements and objectives expected to be achieved during execution of the proposed effort. Successful efforts shall achieve the following outcomes and associated performance objectives:

4.1 Demonstration of an integrated Oxygen-from-Regolith ISRU system architecture capable of producing clean oxygen from lunar regolith simulant through integrated subsystem operation under relevant operational environments.

4.2 Validation of integrated subsystem functionality and system performance sufficient to demonstrate advancement toward system-level TRL 5, including successful operation of integrated oxygen extraction, material handling, and supporting process interfaces.

4.3 Characterization and validation of oxygen production output and cleanliness suitable for assessing compatibility with downstream oxygen liquefaction and propellant production applications.

4.4 Demonstration of system integration approaches and interface definitions sufficient to identify critical integration risks, operational constraints, and subsystem interoperability challenges.

4.5 Development of flight-forward assessments for pilot-scale and full-scale oxygen production architectures, including estimated system SWAP (Size, Weight, and Power), scalability considerations, and operational implications.

4.6 Delivery of validated system-level models, test data, and analytical products capable of supporting NASA architecture studies, system trades, and future ISRU mission planning activities

5. CONSTRAINTS AND SCOPE

The following in-scope and out-of-scope constraints apply to all proposed technical approaches.

Offerors shall ensure their proposed technical approach strictly adheres to these boundaries.

5.1 In-Scope: The following elements shall be considered in scope and included in this effort.

5.1.1 Integrated Ground Demonstration: Ground-based integrated demonstrations of Oxygen-from-Regolith ISRU systems where the active processes are conducted under conditions representative of their expected lunar operating environment. The work shall include operation of integrated subsystems and interfaces under representative thermal, pressure, and other applicable operational conditions. Each process step must be demonstrated under conditions representative of its expected lunar operating conditions, and interfaces between subsystems shall accommodate transitions between the respective operating conditions. The integrated demonstration is not required to be conducted entirely in a thermal-vacuum environment.

5.1.2 System Integration and Testing: Integration and testing of subsystem hardware necessary to demonstrate end-to-end oxygen production functionality and characterize interface performance. An end-to-end system must include a regolith feed system and end with production and verification of purified Oxygen that is sufficiently clean & dry to be compatible with a liquification system for propellent use.

5.1.3 Modeling and Data Validation: Development and validation of component and system-level models informed by demonstration data and suitable for future NASA architecture studies and scaling assessments.

5.1.4 Scalable System Architecture: System concepts demonstrating scalability toward full-scale oxygen production systems (10MT of O2 per year) and future lunar operational architectures.

5.2 Out-of-Scope: The following elements shall be considered out of scope and excluded from this effort:

5.2.1 Flight Demonstrations: Flight demonstrations, flight mission implementation, or commitments to future flight opportunities.

5.2.2 Flight Qualification Hardware: Procurement or fabrication of fully flight-qualified hardware systems intended for operational deployment.

5.2.3 Upstream excavation and size sorting systems, large-scale regolith transportation systems, downstream oxygen liquefaction systems, or long-duration storage systems beyond what is necessary to support integrated demonstration objectives. An integrated end-to-end control system, avionics, and autonomy are not required so long as individual component interfaces and operation allow for relevant end to end function.

5.2.4 Fully Integrated Environmental Testing: Integrated thermal vacuum testing of the full integrated system, and the system level thermal management considerations and implementations required therein, is not required as part of this effort.

5.2.5 Lunar Water: This solicitation is not requesting technologies that require any operation in permanently shadowed regions, where the intended resource is oxygen from lunar regolith and not lunar sourced ice water.

6. DELIVERABLES, MILESTONESAND REVIEWS

Offerors shall propose deliverables, milestones and reviews appropriate to the maturity, scope, and technical approach of their proposed efforts. Proposed milestones shall represent meaningful .and measurable technical progress. Proposed deliverables shall provide sufficient objective technical evidence to demonstrate progress toward, or achievement of, the stated objectives and outcomes. Proposed reviews and Government insight activities shall provide the Government with opportunities to assess technical progress, performance, technical maturity, and readiness to proceed. The desired deliverables, milestones, and reviews of a successful proposal include:

Progress Reporting

6.1 Kickoff review with NASA including all delivery of the prestation and relevant supporting documentation.

6.2 Monthly status reports of technical and schedule progress, including delivery of relevant documentation and presentation materials.

6.3 Milestone reviews for each milestone with delivery of relevant documentation and presentations.

6.4 Technical interchange meetings and site visits as appropriate and coordinated with the

Government based on progress, including delivery of relevant documentation and presentations.

6.5 Test-Readiness review with NASA prior to the start of integrated system testing including delivery of relevant documentation and presentation materials

Project Closeout

6.6 Project must have completed integrated system demonstration of continuous operation (time specified in Attachment B4 B2) with uninterrupted product flow stream between components and subsystems and supporting.

6.7 Final report (Limited and Unlimited versions. Unlimited versions shall be free from ITAR/EXPORT control and should be able to be shared with the public) documenting the results of the entire contract, recommendations, and conclusions. Final report should include:

6.7.1 Technical documentation of integrated test results that validates subsystem interoperability, oxygen production functionality, interface maturity, and operational performance. This includes performance metrics including those identified in B2 and as run text matrix, concept of operations.

6.7.2 Identification of critical interfaces, subsystem development, environmental considerations, and technology gaps requiring additional maturation.

6.7.3 Pathways for advancing demonstrated technologies toward future flight-relevant and scaled-up applications, including predicted system SWAP for full scale, identification of major technical risks for application and infusion, lunar data gaps, environmental considerations , interface challenges, and identification of supporting infrastructure needs.

6.8 Final oral report and presentation materials which shall consist of a public and government only review. NASA requests two versions of the presentation and report, one suitable for public dissemination and one for government only. Both versions must report clearly defined performance metrics, including those listed in Appendix B2.

6.9 6.8.1 System modeling products, simulation tools, and analytical data suitable for use by NASA to support scaling assessments, architecture trades, performance evaluations, and future flight-forward ISRU studies. Deliverables shall include physics-based numerical models capable of predicting system performance and estimating Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP) characteristics across relevant operational scales. The modeling products should include individual component-level models integrated into a system-level model that captures interactions and input/output relationships between major subsystems. Supporting test data and analytical products used for model validation shall also be provided to enable future NASA analysis and application. Test reports documenting operational, thermal, functional, and performance characteristics of integrated systems and subsystems under relevant operational documents.

Continuation Reviews

The Contractor shall support a continuation review for each CLIN prior to completion of the CLIN and, when applicable, prior to Government authorization to proceed with the subsequent CLIN. The Contractor shall provide the Government with information sufficient to assess technical performance, schedule status, risk retirement, deliverable status, unresolved issues, technical maturity, and readiness to proceed. The Contractor shall also provide its recommendation regarding continuation. The Government will use the results of the continuation review to inform its decision regarding exercise of the subsequent Option. Desired information/deliverables of continuation reviews are:

6.10 6.8.2 Designs and concept of operations for component/subsystem hardware to be used in the integrated test.

6.11 6.8.3 System Interface and Controls Diagrams (ICDs) including fluids, software, structural, instrumentation, etc.

6.12 6.8.4 Concept of operations for the system within the integrated test including descriptions of how the system will be operated, controlled, instrumented, and timing of each process.

6.13 6.8.5 Readiness and status of component hardware, interfaces, controls, software, and test facility including facility controls, fluid management, support structure, staffing, etc.

6.14 6.8.6 Test matrix for the integrated test phase including the controlled/uncontrolled variables, identification of measurements, how metrics will be calculated and reported.

6.15 6.8.7 Model development status including approach, platform, parameter space, and initial parametric results as they relate to integrated test predictions.