Autonomous Space-Based Situational Awareness for the NASA Starling Mission
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- 80ARC025CA006
- Agency
-
Ames Research Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- 80ARC025CA006 Federal contract award
- Awardee
- Eradrive, Inc.
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Place of performance
- Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA Ames Research Center has issued a sole-source contract award to EraDrive, Inc. for a critical firmware update to the StarFox software on the Starling small satellite swarm, valued at $1,000,000. The firmware update will enhance on-board algorithms for detecting, identifying, and tracking objects in Earth orbit using star tracker sensors, supporting space traffic management demonstration objectives under the Small Spacecraft Technology Program. The sole-source justification is based on unusual and compelling urgency due to rapid satellite degradation, with one satellite already lost to radio failure in January 2025 and another showing signs of failure in March 2025, threatening the mission's viability. EraDrive is the exclusive provider of this proprietary software, which was originally developed through a Stanford University research grant, with NASA's market research confirming no viable alternative sources exist. The contract runs from June 10, 2025, to June 9, 2026, with immediate action deemed necessary to preserve the mission's scientific objectives and prevent further constellation capability loss.
Notice text
NASA Ames Research Center is awarding a sole-source contract to EraDrive, Inc. for a firmware update to the StarFox software on the Starling small satellite swarm under the authority of FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and compelling urgency (10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(2)). The update enhances algorithms for space traffic monitoring in Low Earth Orbit, critical to preserving mission viability amid rapid satellite degradation. Immediate action is necessary to ensure the success of the Small Spacecraft Technology Program’s technology demonstration.
See attached JOFOC for additional information.
Awarded contract 80ARC025CA006 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2025-06-10.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC)_Starling Mission.pdf |
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