TLRS-4-SOW-2026 Final.pdf

Attachment A, SOW

4/13/2026

STATEMENT OF WORK

SPACE GEODESY PROJECT

SATELLITE LASER RANGING AND SPACE GEODESY SERVICES

1. GENERAL

The contractor shall provide satellite laser ranging (SLR) operations, the maintenance and calibration of the NASA Transportable Laser Ranging System (TLRS-4), and support facility planning, installation and operation of the new NASA geodetic stations as part of the NASA Space

Geodesy Network (NSGN).

One of the main objectives of the NASA Space Geodesy Project (SGP) is to produce the necessary observations for realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) that has an accuracy of 1 mm (decadal scale) with stability of 0.1 mm/year (annual scale). The NSGN will comprise integrated, multi-technique next generation space geodetic observing systems, as the core

NASA contribution to a global network designed to produce the higher quality data required to maintain the ITRF and provide essential information for fully realizing the measurement potential of the current and coming generation of Earth Observing spacecraft. It is anticipated that to achieve the desired level of accuracy and stability the geodetic sites will co-locate and use in unison several key techniques of observation, including SLR and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

The major effort of this contract is the SLR operations at the TLRS-4 located at the Haleakala

Observatories in Maui, Hawaii, for continued collection and verification of high-quality satellite range data. In support of the operational effort, the contractor shall be responsible for the maintenance and calibration of the TLRS-4. The contractor shall select and train qualified technical personnel who shall be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the satellite ranging station. The contractor can utilize the services of the NASA Space Exploration Network Services and Evolution (and successor) contract for logistics support (parts, repairs, and replacement), engineering and software consultation, and surveying. The contractor shall stay current on the latest SLR methods and procedures, which may include travel to participate in the International

Workshops on Laser Ranging.

A second effort on this contract is for support to the implementation, maintenance, and local operation of new NASA geodetic stations at the site. These will include next generation SLR and

GNSS stations as well as a Vector Tie System. The site shall be defined as University of Hawaii property as well as Federal Aviation Administration property located at the summit of Haleakala on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

2. TLRS-4 OPERATIONS

The contractor shall provide laser ranging operations and maintenance at TLRS-4. The operations include laser ranging to approved satellites, range calibration against local ground targets, electronic transmission of full rate and normal point range data, verification of equipment function, and maintenance of the TLRS-4.

The Contractor shall provide a site with a pad on Haleakala for TLRS-4 operations. The Contractor shall ensure the necessary support for station operations such as telephone, internet connection, commercial power, and water, at NASA expense. The Contractor shall be responsible for the safety and security of the station personnel and property.

The operations schedule shall be aligned to maximize priority satellite tracking opportunities, and to minimize data gaps. Satellite priorities change as international agreements change and as additional satellites are launched. Changes to priorities in the tracking schedule shall be obtained from the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) web site. The contractor shall follow ANSI

Z136.1 and ANSI Z136.6 during laser operations.

The contractor shall maintain strict configuration control over all equipment and software in the range measurement chain. Changes in the range measurement chain must be authorized by the

COR by submitting a Configuration Change Request (CCR) to the COR. The COR shall be kept informed of all changes to equipment, software or procedures via the weekly activity report.

The contractor shall provide support for engineering projects as needed. The contractor shall perform engineering in the areas of hardware maintenance, software maintenance, configuration control, and documentation. Engineering upgrades shall be performed in parallel with ranging and preventive maintenance activities whenever possible. After a system upgrade, the station shall be considered in engineering evaluation (EE) status until sufficient tracking data has been analyzed by the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) to determine system performance. The station equipment status shall be submitted to the COR in the weekly activity report. The contractor shall record applicable changes to the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) Station Change

History log and the Site Log. Problem reports and system characterization test reports shall be submitted to the COR as required.

The current acceptable satellite ranging performance is as follows:

Data Volume

• Passes per 12-month period .................2000 or greater

Calibration

• Average single shot calibration RMS ..... 5.5 mm or less

LAGEOS 1 & 2, LARES Tracking

• Average single shot RMS ..................... 12 mm or less

Environmental Measurements

• Pressure ........................................... +/- 0.1 mb

• Temperature .................................... +/- 0.2 degrees C

• Humidity ......................................... +/- 5%

3. DATA PROCESSING AND QUALITY CONTROL

The data processing shall include range data calculation to retroreflector-equipped satellites, electronic transmission of full rate and normal point satellite range data. The requisite corrections to the normal points must be made to the data prior to submission to the NASA Operations Center.

System performance assessment shall be performed with each satellite pass and reviewed by station personnel daily. All range data shall be submitted in the ILRS standard formats and transmitted to the NASA Operations Center no later than 24 hours after each pass.

The contractor shall participate in ILRS workshop, committee and study group meetings as appointed.

4. NSGN STATION IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATIONS

NASA will install and operate next generation SLR and GNSS stations as well as a Vector Tie

System at the Haleakala Observatories site over the next five years. The contractor shall provide logistical and technical support for the implementation of these stations. Tasks for this activity shall include support for the following:

1. The receipt and checkout of NASA equipment at the site.

2. Facility development planning, technical, environmental, cultural and historical site investigations.

3. Assistance in identifying, coordinating and securing needed permits and permissions.

4. The installation of NASA equipment at the site.

5. Complete training on operation and maintenance of NASA equipment both on site and at

Greenbelt.

6. The testing and commissioning of the new NASA geodetic stations.

7. The local operation of new NASA geodetic stations as directed by the COR.

8. Analysis and delivery of data from NASA instruments and stations.

Once the new NASA stations become operational, the contractor shall operate and maintain the

NASA equipment according to the guidelines and requirements defined by the NASA Space

Geodesy Project.