ParabolicFlightServices_PWS_DRAFT_29Jan2026.pdf

This is a Performance Work Statement (PWS) for parabolic flight services under Contract No. TBD, issued by NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California on January 29, 2026. The document is marked as DRAFT.

The Flight Opportunities Program seeks to establish a Provider Pool of flight services contractors capable of providing parabolic flights to carry technology payloads and human operators on commercial flight platforms. The contractor shall operate independently as a civil aircraft operator bearing full responsibility for airworthiness, flight safety, and mission assurance without requiring Public Use Aircraft Operation approval. Services include comprehensive flight and payload integration, with the contractor responsible for obtaining permits, licenses, flight approvals, ground and flight safety compliance, and all QV systems engineering. The contractor must utilize only NASA-qualified vehicles and may provide payload slots for single or multiple payloads on various platforms. Payloads may range from 1U CubeSats to maximum aircraft dimensions and can include hazardous materials, RF transmitters, autonomous systems, and human-tended equipment. The contractor shall provide multiple parabolic trajectories achieving sustained reduced gravity conditions including microgravity (nominally 0 g), lunar gravity (0.17 g), and Martian gravity (0.38 g) for minimum 10-second durations, with capability for two or more maneuver types per flight and high parabolа accuracy within ±/−0.02 g. Additional requirements include payload integration, pre- and post-flight support facilities with power and internet connectivity, Payload User Guides for each qualified vehicle, payload readiness reviews, flight approvals documentation, commercial aviation compliance with NASA standards NPR 7900.3 and NASA-STD-7919.1, and Flight Data Reports deliverable within seven days of each flight campaign. The contractor shall allow government and payload provider access to payloads, provide reasonable payload return efforts within two working days of flight completion, assume physical security responsibility, and ensure cabin safety equivalent to commercial carriers for personnel during reduced gravity portions.