CIS Capability Studies II: Wideband/Phased Array/Crosslink (NextSTEP-2 BAA: Appendix L)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) intends to release a solicitation under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (Next STEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)  to seek industry led capabilities studies. 

NASA's long-term vision is to provide for a resilient space and ground communications and navigation infrastructure in which space mission users can seamlessly “roam” between an array of space-based and ground-based networks. Initially, NASA seeks to create an interoperable architecture composed of a mixture of existing NASA assets and commercial networks and services. In the long-term, this will allow for a smooth transition to fully commercialized communications services for near-Earth users. The overarching goal is to create a reliable, robust, and cost-effective set of commercial services in which NASA is one of many customers.

NASA’s strategy to fully transition to commercial services will be accomplished through the expansion of low Earth orbit (LEO) direct to Earth (DTE) services and the operationalization of commercial space-based relay services. These activities will leverage existing partnerships as well as upcoming demonstrations with a full DTE transition targeting 2024 and space relays no later than 2030.

Through meaningful partnerships with industry, the Commercialization, Innovation, and Synergies (CIS) Office identifies opportunities, nurtures diverse relationships, and implements collaborative solutions to enhance capabilities and technologies in support of exploration and space communications. The CIS Office’s second Capability Studies BAA seeks industry insights and innovative guidance in the following three (3) Thrust Areas:

1. Wideband Satellite Communications
2. Phased Array Ground Systems
3. Constellation Topology Analysis

NASA is seeking innovative commercial insights on these three topics to inform future communication and navigation activities.

Proposals awarded under this Appendix L will be evaluated in accordance with the omnibus BAA, Section 5. The Offeror shall provide a detailed study and demonstrations of innovative tools to be employed in Satellite Ground Operations as defined in the study areas to be highlighted in the Appendix L. NASA reserves the right to select for award multiple, one, or none of the proposals in response to this Appendix. The detailed study requirements and additional information on the overall acquisition strategy will be contained in the forthcoming Appendix L solicitation.

NASA will use the information gained through these studies to produce an industry best practices reference guide with lessons learned covering all aspects of supporting commercial ground segment worldwide network(s) for both commercial and government spacecraft operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO).

Technical and programmatic comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to Dr. Ruma Das at Ruma.Das@nasa.gov.

Submission information, participant eligibility, additional topic information and specific evaluation criteria for the solicitation will be identified in Appendix L when it is released.