CIS Capability Studies III: Lunar Surface User Terminals & Network Orchestration and Management Systems (NextSTEP-2 BAA: Appendix Q)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (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 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 has been bolstered by innovative studies delivered by industry through the Next Space Technologies for Exploration (NextSTEP) – 2 Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement vehicle. 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.  

The Commercialization, Innovation, and Synergies (CIS) Office’s third Capability Studies BAA is seeking industry insights, innovative guidance, and demonstrations in the following two (2) Study Areas: 

             1.         Lunar Surface User Terminals

             2.         Network Orchestration and Management Systems

To support lunar surface operations, NASA is seeking state-of-the-art industry studies, system development, and demonstrations for a dual-purpose navigation and communication lunar surface user terminal. The terminal must meet technical requirements provided by the government in Appendix Q to support lunar surface exploration plans and ensure interoperability with developed standards. Additionally, NASA is seeking innovative industry studies and demonstrations on advanced Network Orchestration and Management Systems that effectively address controlling and interfacing with a globally distributed network of Satellite Ground Systems currently supporting the Near Space Network.  The resulting studies will ensure advancement of NASA’s development of space communication and exploration technologies, capabilities, and concepts.  

Proposals awarded under this Appendix Q will be evaluated in accordance with the omnibus BAA, Section 5. 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 Q solicitation.  

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 Q when it is released.