DRAFT Statement of Objectives (SOO) - Small Satellite Cross-Link Systems Rev2.pdf

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

For

Small Satellite Cross-Link Systems

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

John H. Glenn Research Center (GRC)

1.0 Introduction and background:

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) seeks to investigate the use of V-Band relay networks to transmit large volumes of science and Earth remote sensing data to users with low latency.

Scientific and Earth remote sensing missions are primary users of Earth-proximity space-relay communication services. These missions support several vital capabilities including but not limited to climate monitoring, resource management, oceanography, and disaster response.

As sensing technologies develop, the data volume needs for remote sensing missions are increasing. Likewise, the need for scientists to receive data in near-real-time is also increasing. These two key factors may require the development of high-speed, low-latency communication systems.

2.0 Scope of Work:

The contractor shall conduct a small satellite-based flight demonstration of a V-Band cross-link capability.

The contractor shall conduct experiments to characterize the performance of the V-Band cross-link capability.

The contractor shall provide opportunities for an academic institution(s) to perform space-communication experiments using the V-Band cross-link capability.

3.0 Objectives:

This objective of this solicitation is to demonstrate V-Band cross-link capability in space and evaluate the potential for those V-Band cross-links to be used to transmit large volumes of science and Earth remote sensing data to users with high-speed and low latency.

4.0 Description of the Work/Contractor Tasks:

The Contractor shall hold a Project Kickoff Meeting with NASA, no later than 3 months after contract award. At the kickoff, the Contractor will provide NASA with a comprehensive plan to complete all milestones and achieve the solicitation’s objectives.

4.1 The contractor shall conduct a small satellite-based flight demonstration of a V- Band cross-link capability:

The Contractor shall follow their own best practices for designing, building, launching, and operating small satellites for the purposes of demonstrating and characterizing V- Band cross-link performance and conducting academic experiments.

The Contractor is not required to follow NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 7120.5 NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements.

The Contractor shall complete a Mission Concept Review (MCR), Mission Design Review (MDR), Characterization and Experiment Plan Review (CEPR), and Launch and Operational Readiness Review (LaORR) with NASA subject matter experts prior to launching the small satellites.

NASA subject matter experts (SMEs) will provide guidance and recommendations to the Contractor, for the purpose maximizing the probability of a successful demonstration.

NASA may determine that additional Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) or Cybersecurity reviews are needed prior to launch. These reviews will be government-led and do not have associated milestone payments.

After a successful launch, the Contractor will hold Post Launch Review (PLR) with NASA SMEs.

4.2 The contractor shall conduct experiments to characterize the performance of the V-Band cross-link capability:

The Contractor will provide a detailed V-Band cross-link characterization and experiment plan at the CEPR. The characterization and experiment plan should, at a minimum, address:

• Antenna pattern and pointing performance to quantify realized antenna gain as a function of the relative position between satellites and pointing stability under various spacecraft conditions.

• Link budget performance to quantify realized link margins and signal to noise ratios as a function of various systems parameters and relative position between satellites.

• Bit Error Rate (BER) performance curves for available modulation and coding schemes to quantify the quality of the cross-link communications channel.

• Data throughput and latency performance under various spacecraft conditions and use cases to quantify the ability of V-Band cross-link systems to support remote sensing and Earth observation science use-cases.

• Ranging and positioning performance to quantify the ability of V-Band cross-link capability to support range and velocity measurements between the small satellites.

• End-to-End system performance to evaluate the ability to use the V-Band cross-link capability in real-world use-cases and applications.

4.3 The contractor shall provide opportunities for an academic institution(s) to perform space-communication experiments using the V-Band cross-link capability.

The Contractor’s Characterization and Experiment Plan shall include an approach to allow an academic institution(s) the opportunity to conduct experiments on the V-Band cross-link capability.

The Contract may decide if a partnering academic institution(s)’ experiments directly support V-Band characterization testing or are supplemental.

The Contractor shall identify anticipated academic partner(s) as part of their response to this SOO.

5.0 Period of Performance:

The period of performance shall be no longer than 5 years from the Contract Award date.

6.0 Milestones:

The Contractor shall notify the NASA Contracting Officer at least 14 calendar days prior to the completion of any milestone to arrange for the NASA Technical Contact or designee to witness the event or accept delivery of documents.

NASA shall have a minimum of 30 calendar days to determine whether the milestone event meets its corresponding acceptance criteria and will notify the Contractor of NASA’s acceptance or non-acceptance.

Milestone payments will be made after successful delivery and acceptance of milestone requirements. The desired Milestone reviews and deliverables of a successfully awarded contract are provided in the below table.

Desired Milestones Table

c) Action items identified during MCR are documented by the Contractor

3. Mission Design Review (MDR):

Entrance Criteria:

Contractor provides:

a) Updated Concept of Operations document

b) Completed system requirements document

c) Completed design documentation

d) Preliminary launch planning documentation

e) Preliminary spectrum authorization documentation.

f) Preliminary characterization and experiment planning documents

g) Preliminary system integration and test planning documents

h) Preliminary verification and validation test planning documents

i) Updated project planning and control documentation

j) Updated risk management assessment

k) Status of action items

Success Criteria:

a) Mission Design Review with NASA SMEs completed.

b) The proposed mission CONOPS remains credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

c) The proposed mission design is credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

d) Action items identified during MDR are

TBD

4. Characterization and Experiment Plan Review

(CEPR):

Entrance Criteria:

Contractor provides:

a) Updated Concept of Operations document

b) Updated system requirements document

c) Updated design documentation

d) Updated launch planning documentation

e) Updated spectrum authorization documentation.

f) Updated system integration and test planning documents

g) Updated verification and validation test planning documents

h) Completed characterization and experiment planning documentation.

i) Updated project planning and control documentation

j) Updated risk management assessment

k) Status of action items

Success Criteria:

a) Characterization and Experiment Plan Review with NASA SMEs completed.

b) The proposed mission CONOPS remains credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

c) The proposed mission design remains credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

d) The proposed characterization and experiment plan is credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

e) Action items identified during CEPR are documented by the Contractor

5. Launch and Operational Readiness Review (LaORR):

Entrance Criteria:

Contractor provides:

a) Final Concept of Operations document

b) Final system requirements document

c) Final design documentation

d) Final launch planning documentation

e) Final spectrum authorization documentation.

f) Final system integration and test planning documents and results

g) Final verification and validation test planning documents and results

h) Updated characterization and experiment planning documentation.

i) Updated project planning and control documentation

j) Updated risk management assessment

k) Status of action items

Success Criteria:

a) Launch and Operational Readiness Review with NASA SMEs completed.

b) The mission CONOPS remains credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

c) The mission design remains credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

d) The characterization and experiment plan remains credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

e) The mission launch and operations plan is credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

f) Action items identified during LaORR are documented by the Contractor

6. Post Launch Review (PLR):

Entrance Criteria:

Contractor provides:

a) Launch performance documentation.

b) Spacecraft commissioning documentation

c) Updated characterization and experiment planning documentation.

d) Preliminary science engagement planning documentation.

e) Updated project planning and control documentation

f) Updated risk management assessment

g) Status of action items

Success Criteria:

a) Post Launch Review with NASA SMEs completed.

b) The characterization and experiment plan remains credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

c) The mission launch and operations plan remains credible and responsive to solicitation requirements with acceptable risk.

d) Action items identified during PLR are

7. Closeout Review (CR):

Entrance Criteria:

Contractor provides:

a) Final characterization and experiment results.

b) Final science and engagement results.

c) Final project planning and control documentation

d) Final risk management assessment

e) Status of action items

Success Criteria:

a) Closeout Review with NASA SMEs completed.

b) All project milestones are complete.

c) All necessary documents are delivered to

NASA.

d) No action items remain open.

No later than 5 years after the Contract Award Date