RDRE_RFI.pdf

Request for Information – Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) Market and Partnership Approach Survey

Respondents are reminded:

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): THIS IS *NOT* A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL,

QUOTATION, OR INVITATION TO BID NOTICE.

1.0 Overview

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) technology development is dedicated to developing transformative, cross-cutting technologies that enable NASA’s missions while also supporting commercial and other government agencies’ needs where appropriate. NASA invests in high-risk, high reward activities across the technology development spectrum to advance U.S. interests in critical technologies and enhance the Nation’s future economic competitiveness. NASA actively engages many commercial, other government agency, and academia stakeholders to identify opportunities of common interest to better leverage government investments. Through its Public-Private Partnerships, NASA invests in industry-developed space technologies that can advance the commercial space sector and benefit future NASA missions.

Industry, academia, and government agencies have been making early-stage investments on the maturation of Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) combustion devices. Recently advancements throughout the community provide confidence an operational RDRE could be matured for a range of stakeholder applications. Applications include, but are not limited to, hypersonic vehicles, small launch systems, launch system upper stages, lander system propulsion, and in-space propulsion. NASA’s initial priority for an operational system is system length reduction at comparable specific impulse to traditional deflagrative engine systems.

In working with our many stakeholders, the RDRE applications of interest span wide thrust classes and propellant combinations. Informal input includes early market demand for 750lbf, 5klbf, 8 klbf, 10klbf, 12 klbf, 35klbf and 200klbf systems across peroxide/kerosene, LOx/RP1, LOx/LH2, LOx/LCH4, MON25/MMH, etc.

NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is considering an integrated system ground demonstration, reducing risk, and validating performance, that will feed directly into an operational flight demonstration. The operational flight infusion target is 2030. Notionally, the ground system validation could occur with NASA led system design and demonstration followed by a transition to an industry led operational system flight. A seamless transition to commercial operational use is highly desired. The priority is the US commercial infusion that significantly improves the cost, risk, and/or performance of future applications while making the underlying technology widely available to the community.

2.0 Purpose

NASA is seeking information on the market demand for RDRE operational solutions as well partnership approaches for consideration.

This RFI will not result in any direct follow-on acquisitions; however, responses to this RFI may be used to shape future technology investment strategies. This RFI is requesting information for planning purposes only and will be used to inform and mature the STMD Strategic Technology Plans and enable increased participation of its stakeholder community. NASA will use the comments received from the respondents to adjust the NASA STMD Strategic Framework implementation to be more inclusive and influence future investment prioritizations.

NASA is seeking input statements from all interested parties, including industry, academia, and other US government agencies. All socioeconomic categories including large industry, Small Businesses and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority Institutions (MI) are encouraged to respond.

It is only through inclusion of all our best ideas that our plans will reach their fullest potential.

3.0 Information for Participants

The information is requested for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The release of this RFI does not obligate the government to issue a future solicitation nor does it obligate the government to invest any resources to any specific space technology topic area.

Respondents are encouraged to provide information that is not constrained by limited/restricted data rights. No business proprietary information, copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information should be submitted in response to this RFI. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. NASA intends to evaluate all data received to inform the maturation of the products. Some responders may be contacted for further discussion on an as-needed basis.

Please note that NASA, as well as support contractors and/or their sub-contractors working on behalf of NASA may be reviewing the information. Responses to this RFI will not be returned, and respondents will not be notified of the results of the review.

NASA does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. The information provided is entirely voluntary and will not affect the ability to bid on future requirements. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an obligation on the part of NASA to acquire any products or services.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of a solicitation. If a solicitation is released in the future, it will be synopsized on the Government Point of Entry website. It is the potential Respondent’s responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.

4.0 Requested Information

For NASA to meet the objective of this RFI, the following information is requested in addition to other information that the responder considers necessary for a complete evaluation of the provided responses.

• What is the ideal thrust class and propellant combination for first user early adoption of an operational system? Include explicit application(s), any market analysis, and identify explicit operational infusion paths as appropriate.

• Provide any critical interfaces that need to be maintained to increase the probability of infusion.

o This includes any limiting/driving Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) for market viability (i.e., mass, cost, specific impulse, length, thrust-to-weight, etc.)

• Provide any critical tests, activities and/or data products required to reduce cost, risk and/or schedule of operational infusion.

o Are there any engine cycle requirements, trades, or considerations that are most desirable for early adoption in an operational system?

• Is a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) a viable approach for investment through transition? NASA intends to make all ground system development testing data publicly available subject to ITAR and Export Control limitations.

5.0 Instructions for Submittal

Response to this RFI is voluntary. Respondents are requested to provide the information as stated below.

• Each individual or institution is requested to submit only one response.

• Provide the electronic copy response in one searchable, unlocked Portable Document File (PDF) file with edit permission enabled.

• Submission must be in 14-point or larger font and not exceed 10 pages including the one-page summary listed above, with a page number provided on each page.

• Comments containing references, studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include copies or electronic links of the referenced materials.

Responses should be e-mailed as a single PDF file attachment not to exceed 10MB. All responses shall be submitted to NASA MSFC electronically via email by 2:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time, January 5, 2024, to Belinda Triplett (belinda.f.triplett@nasa.gov) and John W. Dankanich (john.dankanich@nasa.gov).

Please respond with “MSFC RDRE Survey” in the subject line when submitting.

Return Policy: Responses to this notice will not be returned.

Technical and programmatic questions should be directed to John Dankanich (john.dankanich@nasa.gov) and procurement questions should be directed to Belinda Triplett (belinda.f.triplett@nasa.gov). All questions should be submitted electronically.

mailto:belinda.f.triplett@nasa.gov mailto:john.dankanich@nasa.gov mailto:john.dankanich@nasa.gov mailto:belinda.f.triplett@nasa.gov