Conceptual Studies for the Next Mars Orbiter (NeMO)

The NASA Mars Exploration Program (MEP) is exploring options on how to update its Mars based infrastructure, now 15 years old, including concept development of a potential future orbiter. While specific instruments and the design of a Mars orbiter have not been defined, NASA recognizes the potential of an orbiter capable of supporting substantially increased bandwidth communications and maintaining our high resolution orbital imaging capability. Such an orbiter could refresh the critical technologies needed to enable continued exploration of the Mars system as well as support potential future sample return and human exploration missions. NASA is studying concepts for an orbiter that could launch in the early 2020s. Where feasible, the orbiter concept may accommodate other compelling investigations and validate challenging technologies. NASA is also studying how to implement this mission concept in concert with its international partners to the greatest extent possible.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, under direction of the NASA MEP, is conducting pre-formulation planning for this possible orbiter mission. Formulation plans include the procurement of industry studies for a solar electric propulsion-based spacecraft bus. These studies seek to take advantage of industry capability improvements in deep space solar electric propulsion- (SEP) enabled orbiters to accommodate scientific instruments, demonstrate capability for rendezvous and capture, and advanced telecommunications capabilities. This early design work will be accomplished through studies by U.S. (only) industry. The solicitation associated with this posting will be for concept studies for the orbiter spacecraft, to be completed over a four-month period of performance. NASA's intent is to provide funding toward these study contracts in the June 2016 timeframe. JPL intends to award multiple concept study subcontracts with a total fixed price of $400,000 per subcontract. Interested bidders will need to contact Mika Matsumoto, JPL Subcontracts Manager, to obtain access to the JPL solicitation webpage. Ms. Matsumoto's contact information is listed below.

JPL solicitation website: https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/bizops/