Astrobee Free-flying Robotics System Operations and Sustaining Engineering Unfunded Space Act Agreement to Transfer System Responsibility to Commercial Provider Announcement for Partnership Proposals
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 80JSC025ASTROBEE
- Agency
-
Johnson Space Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Place of performance
- Texas 77058, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA's Johnson Space Center is seeking a commercial partner to take over operations and sustaining engineering for the Astrobee free-flying robotic system currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) aims to transition the Astrobee system, which consists of three cube-shaped robots with electric fan propulsion, to a non-NASA entity to support NASA's Strategic Goals of developing a commercial low-Earth orbit economy. Eligible proposals must be from U.S. entities owned more than 50% by U.S. nationals and will be evaluated based on the feasibility of business and technical approaches to achieve commercial viability. The pre-proposal conference is scheduled for February 21, 2025, with questions accepted via email, and proposals are due March 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM Central Time. Evaluation criteria will focus on the partner's ability to manage system operations, sustaining engineering, and potential commercialization of the robotic technology.
The solicitation is not set aside for any specific business category and will result in an unfunded Space Act Agreement through September 2030. The Astrobee system includes three robots (currently named Bumble, Honey, and Queen), associated software, spares, and a docking station, with the system having accumulated 1,215 hours of ISS operations. NASA will provide the selected partner access to hardware, software, documentation, and technical expertise at no cost, with the partner responsible for ongoing maintenance, user support, and system advancement. The place of performance is primarily Houston, TX, with additional lab facilities at NASA's Ames Research Center. The system supports various research and technology demonstration activities, including inventory management, experiment documentation, and potential future applications in microgravity environments, with the goal of advancing commercial capabilities in space.
Notice text
4 versions
Update #4 · Latest ·
This is a modification to the synopsis entitled Astrobee Free-flying Robotics System Operations and Sustaining Engineering Unfunded Space Act Agreement to Transfer System Responsibility to Commercial Provider Announcement for Partnership Proposals "80JSC025ASTROBEE" which was posted on February 11, 2025. You are notified that the following changes are made: Question and Answers Part I has been replaced with Pre-Proposal Conference QA Rev 1. Answers to Questions 9 and 10 were added to the document.
The due date for responses is not extended.
Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of any amendments. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the Annoucement for Partnership Proposals and amendments (if any).
____
This is a modification to the synopsis entitled Astrobee Free-flying Robotics System Operations and Sustaining Engineering Unfunded Space Act Agreement to Transfer System Responsibility to Commercial Provider Announcement for Partnership Proposals "80JSC025ASTROBEE" which was posted on February 11, 2025. You are notified that the following changes are made: Question and Answers Part I has been posted.
The due date for responses is not extended.
Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of any amendments. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the Annoucement for Partnership Proposals and amendments (if any).
_____________________
The purpose of this amendment is to post the Astrobee Pre-proposal Conference charts that will presented Friday February 21, 2025 at 10:00am.
___________________
NASA recognizes that a robust and competitive low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy is vital to continued progress in space. To support NASA's Strategic Goals and Objective 2.2 to “Develop a human spaceflight economy enabled by a commercial market," NASA is building and executing a targeted strategy for an “economy of space commerce” in LEO that is sustainable, cost-effective, and safe. The current strategy builds on and applies the lessons learned from over a decade of work and experiences with commercial companies. This activity is part of a continuing effort to establish a more affordable and sustainable future for human spaceflight in LEO and beyond.
This Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) solicits proposals for the operation, sustaining engineering, and utilization of the Astrobee free-flying robotic system aboard the ISS. These robots provide a capability supporting researchers with technology demonstrations, scientific research, and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities in the unique environment of space. The objective of this initiative is to transition operations and sustaining engineering of this Astrobee robotic technology to a non-NASA entity to manage the system and to continue advancement in private sector utilization of this unique capability for the future development of commercial capabilities in space.
The Astrobee system consists of three cubed-shaped robots, software, spares, and a docking station used for recharging. The robots use electric fans as a propulsion system that allows them to fly freely through the microgravity environment of the station. Cameras and sensors help them to “see” and navigate their surroundings. The robots also carry a perching arm that allows them to grasp station handrails in order to conserve energy or to grab and hold items.
Working autonomously or via remote control by astronauts, flight controllers, or researchers on the ground, the robots are designed to complete tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments conducted by astronauts with their built-in cameras, or working together to move cargo throughout the station. In addition, the system serves as a research platform that can be outfitted and programmed to carry out experiments in microgravity – helping to learn more about how robotics can benefit astronauts in space.
The due date for proposal submission is March 21, 2025 at 1:00 pm Central Time. See the "Announcement for Proposals" Solicitation in the Attachments/Links section of this notice.
Pre-Proposal Conference:
NASA will host a Pre-proposal Conference to answer industry questions related to this solicitation on February 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central Time and will be held virtually via a Microsoft (MS) Teams link. The MS Teams link will be issued the day before to those that RSVP. To confirm attendance, please have one company representative RSVP via email with the subject line “RSVP ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM Central Time. Attendance information should include your company name, name/representative, and point of contact information. Your company representative will be responsible for forwarding the MS Teams link to company participants.
Questions and Answers:
Please submit any questions regarding this Announcement for Proposals in an email with the subject line “Q&A ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov and answers will be addressed at the Pre-proposal Conference. Please continue to submit your questions throughout the solicitation period. Question and Answers will be posted via sam.gov.
Update #3 ·
This is a modification to the synopsis entitled Astrobee Free-flying Robotics System Operations and Sustaining Engineering Unfunded Space Act Agreement to Transfer System Responsibility to Commercial Provider Announcement for Partnership Proposals "80JSC025ASTROBEE" which was posted on February 11, 2025. You are notified that the following changes are made: Question and Answers Part I has been posted.
The due date for responses is not extended.
Offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of any amendments. Potential offerors are responsible for downloading their own copy of the Annoucement for Partnership Proposals and amendments (if any).
_____________________
The purpose of this amendment is to post the Astrobee Pre-proposal Conference charts that will presented Friday February 21, 2025 at 10:00am.
___________________
NASA recognizes that a robust and competitive low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy is vital to continued progress in space. To support NASA's Strategic Goals and Objective 2.2 to “Develop a human spaceflight economy enabled by a commercial market," NASA is building and executing a targeted strategy for an “economy of space commerce” in LEO that is sustainable, cost-effective, and safe. The current strategy builds on and applies the lessons learned from over a decade of work and experiences with commercial companies. This activity is part of a continuing effort to establish a more affordable and sustainable future for human spaceflight in LEO and beyond.
This Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) solicits proposals for the operation, sustaining engineering, and utilization of the Astrobee free-flying robotic system aboard the ISS. These robots provide a capability supporting researchers with technology demonstrations, scientific research, and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities in the unique environment of space. The objective of this initiative is to transition operations and sustaining engineering of this Astrobee robotic technology to a non-NASA entity to manage the system and to continue advancement in private sector utilization of this unique capability for the future development of commercial capabilities in space.
The Astrobee system consists of three cubed-shaped robots, software, spares, and a docking station used for recharging. The robots use electric fans as a propulsion system that allows them to fly freely through the microgravity environment of the station. Cameras and sensors help them to “see” and navigate their surroundings. The robots also carry a perching arm that allows them to grasp station handrails in order to conserve energy or to grab and hold items.
Working autonomously or via remote control by astronauts, flight controllers, or researchers on the ground, the robots are designed to complete tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments conducted by astronauts with their built-in cameras, or working together to move cargo throughout the station. In addition, the system serves as a research platform that can be outfitted and programmed to carry out experiments in microgravity – helping to learn more about how robotics can benefit astronauts in space.
The due date for proposal submission is March 21, 2025 at 1:00 pm Central Time. See the "Announcement for Proposals" Solicitation in the Attachments/Links section of this notice.
Pre-Proposal Conference:
NASA will host a Pre-proposal Conference to answer industry questions related to this solicitation on February 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central Time and will be held virtually via a Microsoft (MS) Teams link. The MS Teams link will be issued the day before to those that RSVP. To confirm attendance, please have one company representative RSVP via email with the subject line “RSVP ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM Central Time. Attendance information should include your company name, name/representative, and point of contact information. Your company representative will be responsible for forwarding the MS Teams link to company participants.
Questions and Answers:
Please submit any questions regarding this Announcement for Proposals in an email with the subject line “Q&A ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov and answers will be addressed at the Pre-proposal Conference. Please continue to submit your questions throughout the solicitation period. Question and Answers will be posted via sam.gov.
Update #2 ·
The purpose of this amendment is to post the Astrobee Pre-proposal Conference charts that will presented Friday February 21, 2025 at 10:00am.
___________________
NASA recognizes that a robust and competitive low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy is vital to continued progress in space. To support NASA's Strategic Goals and Objective 2.2 to “Develop a human spaceflight economy enabled by a commercial market," NASA is building and executing a targeted strategy for an “economy of space commerce” in LEO that is sustainable, cost-effective, and safe. The current strategy builds on and applies the lessons learned from over a decade of work and experiences with commercial companies. This activity is part of a continuing effort to establish a more affordable and sustainable future for human spaceflight in LEO and beyond.
This Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) solicits proposals for the operation, sustaining engineering, and utilization of the Astrobee free-flying robotic system aboard the ISS. These robots provide a capability supporting researchers with technology demonstrations, scientific research, and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities in the unique environment of space. The objective of this initiative is to transition operations and sustaining engineering of this Astrobee robotic technology to a non-NASA entity to manage the system and to continue advancement in private sector utilization of this unique capability for the future development of commercial capabilities in space.
The Astrobee system consists of three cubed-shaped robots, software, spares, and a docking station used for recharging. The robots use electric fans as a propulsion system that allows them to fly freely through the microgravity environment of the station. Cameras and sensors help them to “see” and navigate their surroundings. The robots also carry a perching arm that allows them to grasp station handrails in order to conserve energy or to grab and hold items.
Working autonomously or via remote control by astronauts, flight controllers, or researchers on the ground, the robots are designed to complete tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments conducted by astronauts with their built-in cameras, or working together to move cargo throughout the station. In addition, the system serves as a research platform that can be outfitted and programmed to carry out experiments in microgravity – helping to learn more about how robotics can benefit astronauts in space.
The due date for proposal submission is March 21, 2025 at 1:00 pm Central Time. See the "Announcement for Proposals" Solicitation in the Attachments/Links section of this notice.
Pre-Proposal Conference:
NASA will host a Pre-proposal Conference to answer industry questions related to this solicitation on February 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central Time and will be held virtually via a Microsoft (MS) Teams link. The MS Teams link will be issued the day before to those that RSVP. To confirm attendance, please have one company representative RSVP via email with the subject line “RSVP ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM Central Time. Attendance information should include your company name, name/representative, and point of contact information. Your company representative will be responsible for forwarding the MS Teams link to company participants.
Questions and Answers:
Please submit any questions regarding this Announcement for Proposals in an email with the subject line “Q&A ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov and answers will be addressed at the Pre-proposal Conference. Please continue to submit your questions throughout the solicitation period. Question and Answers will be posted via sam.gov.
Update #1 ·
NASA recognizes that a robust and competitive low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy is vital to continued progress in space. To support NASA's Strategic Goals and Objective 2.2 to “Develop a human spaceflight economy enabled by a commercial market," NASA is building and executing a targeted strategy for an “economy of space commerce” in LEO that is sustainable, cost-effective, and safe. The current strategy builds on and applies the lessons learned from over a decade of work and experiences with commercial companies. This activity is part of a continuing effort to establish a more affordable and sustainable future for human spaceflight in LEO and beyond.
This Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) solicits proposals for the operation, sustaining engineering, and utilization of the Astrobee free-flying robotic system aboard the ISS. These robots provide a capability supporting researchers with technology demonstrations, scientific research, and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities in the unique environment of space. The objective of this initiative is to transition operations and sustaining engineering of this Astrobee robotic technology to a non-NASA entity to manage the system and to continue advancement in private sector utilization of this unique capability for the future development of commercial capabilities in space.
The Astrobee system consists of three cubed-shaped robots, software, spares, and a docking station used for recharging. The robots use electric fans as a propulsion system that allows them to fly freely through the microgravity environment of the station. Cameras and sensors help them to “see” and navigate their surroundings. The robots also carry a perching arm that allows them to grasp station handrails in order to conserve energy or to grab and hold items.
Working autonomously or via remote control by astronauts, flight controllers, or researchers on the ground, the robots are designed to complete tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments conducted by astronauts with their built-in cameras, or working together to move cargo throughout the station. In addition, the system serves as a research platform that can be outfitted and programmed to carry out experiments in microgravity – helping to learn more about how robotics can benefit astronauts in space.
The due date for proposal submission is March 21,2025 at 1:00 pm Central Time. See the "Announcement for Proposals" Solicitation in the Attachments/Links section of this notice.
Pre-Proposal Conference:
NASA will host a Pre-proposal Conference to answer industry questions related to this solicitation on February 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central Time and will be held virtually via a Microsoft (MS) Teams link. The MS Teams link will be issued the day before to those that RSVP. To confirm attendance, please have one company representative RSVP via email with the subject line “RSVP ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM Central Time. Attendance information should include your company name, name/representative, and point of contact information. Your company representative will be responsible for forwarding the MS Teams link to company participants.
Questions and Answers:
Please submit any questions regarding this Announcement for Proposals in an email with the subject line “Q&A ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov and answers will be addressed at the Pre-proposal Conference. Please continue to submit your questions throughout the solicitation period. Question and Answers will be posted via sam.gov.
Files
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity