Mars Ascent Propulsion System (MAPS)

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has a requirement for additional work within scope related to the design, development, test, and evaluation of the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) first stage solid rocket motor and Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system, and a second solid rocket motor system (including spin and de-spin motors). Also included is the acquisition of materials to support flight tests. This effort is required to meet program launch date.

NASA/MSFC intends to issue future modifications to contract number 80MSFC21C0010, awarded Mar 04, 2021, to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC) on a sole source basis, IAW FAR 6.302-1 required to supply the first and second stage rocket motors for the MAV. Throughout the history of NASA Mars missions using solid propulsion, NGSC is the only contractor to provide these motors. NGSC is the only solid propulsion provider with data on solid propellant samples from long-term exposure to the space environment, and NGSC’s deceleration motor on the Magellan Spacecraft used solid propulsion to successfully fire after being in space for more than 15 months. NGSC has a proprietary propellant for the MAV mission that has been used on three other Mars Missions (Mars Exploration Rover: Spirit; Mars Exploration Rover: Opportunity; and Mars Pathfinder). The first stage motor for MAV employs Thrust Vector Control (TVC). NGSC is also the only domestic contractor who has flight experience with Supersonic Split Line (SSSL) nozzle concepts. Due to the long Mars surface duration, extremely low temperatures, near vacuum ambient pressure, and prevalent dust, a Super Sonic Split Line (SSSL) was selected for which NGSC has the most experience in design and implementation. In response to a MAPS RFI dated September 16, 2019, NGSC described a detailed compliance approach for each of the TVC requirements quoted in the RFI with a SSSL design. They showed a clear understanding of the TVC technical issues. They reported having a flight proven SSSL system as part of the Multi-Mission Propulsion Technology (MMMPT), MOKV, MK103, and Dream Chaser. NGSC has the greatest experience with design and flight for SSSL nozzle vector designs. Development of this design has been underway since the contract was awarded and testing has been successful to date raising the SSSL TRL from 5 to 6.

The MAV development, design, and manufacture process to date has been tailored to the selected propellant Carboxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (CTPB) binder propellant designated TP-H-3062, a proprietary formulation belonging to NGSC. This propellant is the only solid propellant with proven flight experience on previous Mars missions. The motor systems will be exposed to extremely low temperatures while having long non-operation storage time requirements on the order of 10-years. TP-H-3062 is the only propellant with the material properties required. Other propellant concepts were considered, but development and testing of a new propellant typically requires 5 years while maintaining a risk that the resulting propellant will not meet requirements. The Mars Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rover Rocket Assisted Descent flight histories provide relevant data and proven performance for this propellant on similar Mars missions. Considering these factors, this propellant is at a Test Readiness Level (TRL) 8, which is higher than any other propellant.

Based on NGSC’s knowledge and experience with its proprietary propellant, along with design and testing of the SSSL TVC, it is in the Government’s best interest to continue forward work with NGSC.

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Beth Winfield at beth.a.winfield@nasa.gov not later than 3:00 P.M. Central Standard Time on January 4, 2024. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf