NASA Sources Sought Notice: Revolutionary System Concepts for,Aeron

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid387

STATUS REPORT
Date Released: Friday, April 29, 2005
Source: Langley Research Center http://www.larc.nasa.gov/

NASA Sources Sought Notice: Revolutionary System Concepts for
Aeronautic (RSCA) Program

General Information

Document Type: Sources Sought Notice
Solicitation Number: NNL050RSCA1L
Posted Date: Apr 29, 2005
Original Response Date: Jun 03, 2005
Current Response Date: Jun 03, 2005
Original Archive Date: Apr 29, 2006
Current Archive Date: Apr 29, 2006
Classification Code: A -- Research & Development
Naics Code: 541710 -- Research and Development in the Physical,
Engineering, and Life Sciences

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 144, Industry Assistance
Office, Hampton, VA 23681-0001

Description

This notice is issued by the NASA/LaRC as a Request for Information
(RFI) to solicit responses from interested parties. This notice, which
is for information and planning purposes only, allows industry the
opportunity to provide feedback on their ideas for revolutionary system
concepts for aeronautics and their capabilities to analytically assess
the potential benefits of these concepts. This document will also
verify reasonableness and feasibility of future program requirements
and promote competition. Prospective offerors are invited to submit
written comments or questions via electronic transmission (i.e. e-mail)
to: Liliana J. Richwine at liliana.j.richwine@... no later than
June 30, 2005. When responding reference NNL050RSCA1L. This RFI is not
to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the
Government pay for the information submitted in response. Respondents
will not be notified of the results of any government assessments. No
awards will be issued as a result of this RFI.

However, the information
received through this RFI will be utilized to assist in formulating
future requirements and an implementation strategy for the RSCA
Program. A part of that strategy may include competitive procurements.
Background: The Revolutionary System Concepts for Aeronautics (RSCA)
Program is sponsored by the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at
NASA Headquarters. The RSCA Program supports annual system studies that
examine revolutionary system concepts and missions for research areas
related to NASA's strategic objectives for aeronautics. The RSCA
Program goals are to formulate revolutionary/alternative missions, to
develop associated aeronautics system architectures/concepts and to
provide related technology requirements that will enable these
missions/concepts to be implemented. Revolutionary/alternative missions
and system concepts are needed to help guide NASA's technology
investment strategies beyond current program planning horizons. The
RSCA Program focus is on system concepts that could potentially operate
in the 2025 to 2035 timeframe.

Research Areas: Each of the following Research Areas contains a
general description of NASA's requirements for revolutionary
aeronautics system concepts for that area. White papers that describe
system concepts for one or more of these areas are solicited along with
the offeror's capabilities to analytically assess the potential
benefits of these concepts. NASA is interested in revolutionary system
concepts that have not previously been studied and which could
potentially operate in the 2025 to 2035 timeframe. Technical questions
or comments may be directed to d.w.Bartlett@... or at phone
number 757-864-1916.

1. - National Air Transportation System Areas of Interest -
Revolutionary/alternative system architectural concepts that could
accommodate significant increases in air transportation system capacity
without compromising safety and security are solicited. These concepts
could include alternatives to the hub and spoke system, innovative
schemes for air traffic management or revolutionary aircraft concepts
that could change the current paradigm of how people and cargo are
transported. Also, revolutionary/alternative system concepts that could
provide enhanced security for the National Air Transportation System
without adversely impacting capacity are solicited.

2. - Aircraft Environmental Areas of Interest -
Revolutionary/alternative aircraft concepts that offer dramatic
reductions in noise and emissions are solicited. Both subsonic and
supersonic transport-type aircraft that employ alternative fuels and
revolutionary propulsion systems are of interest. These aircraft would
utilize revolutionary airframe and propulsion systems and operational
procedures to achieve dramatic reductions in noise and emissions while
maintaining efficient cruise performance.

3. - Unmanned Airborne Vehicles - Revolutionary/alternative airborne
vehicle concepts with the capability to operate independently and for
very long duration are solicited. These vehicles could serve as
platforms for instrument packages related to science, communications,
and surveillance, and could also support missions of interest for
homeland security. In addition, revolutionary, unmanned flyer concepts
for use as science platforms in the atmospheres of other planets and
moons are solicited. RFI Requirements and Preparation of White Papers:
Interested parties wishing to provide information on a revolutionary
system concept for aeronautics, should submit a white paper of no more
than five pages that is related to a particular topic in one of the
research areas listed above.

A separate white paper is requested for
each system concept submitted. Each white paper should describe the
revolutionary/alternative system concept, the particular mission that
would be addressed, and the systems study approach that would be used
to assess the potential benefits of the proposed concept. A current
technology or reference system that would provide a basis for
comparison should also be described. The proposed concepts should be
complete systems and not subsystems or individual technologies.
However, identification of the critical, enabling technologies should
be a product of the studies. Interested parties should also provide
information on their capabilities and experience in developing
analytical models and conducting system studies for similar concepts.

Any previous studies or other work related to the proposed concept
should be identified even if performed by other companies or
individuals. However, for this RFI, NASA, is primarily interested in
new/revolutionary system concepts that have not been previously
studied. White papers that describe new design and analyses methods or
methods development activities are not being solicited.

Responses must also include the following: name and address of firm,
size of business using the North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) code of 541710 with a size standard of 500 employees;
average annual revenue for the past 3 years and number of employees;
ownership; whether large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone,
Veteran, Service Disabled Veteran, and/or Women Owned; number of years
in business; list of customers covering the past three years.
(Highlight relevant work performed). The company information is not
included in the five-page limit for the white papers.

Three paper
copies and one electronic copy (via CD) of each white paper and the
company information (one paper copy) shall be sent to the following, no
later than June 30th, 2005: Liliana J. Richwine - Address: NASA/LaRC,
Mail Stop 126, Building: 1195B, Room 235, Hampton, VA 23681-2199,
phone: (757) 864-2478, fax: (757) 864-7709, E-Mail:
liliana.j.richwine@... All information, obtained as a result of
this RFI, is intended to be used by the Government for program planning
and acquisition strategy development. Providing data/information that
is limited or restricted for use by the Government for that purpose
would be of very little value and such restricted/limited
data/information is not solicited. Government personnel from the
relevant NASA Centers and/or other Government agencies may review the
white papers. Personnel from Swales Aerospace (under LaRC contract
number NAS1-00135) may also be involved in reviewing the white papers.
As such, to the extent that any information submitted in response to
this RFI is marked as or construed to be proprietary or business-
sensitive, submitters are hereby notified (a) about the potentiality
that such information may be disclosed to Swales Aerospace and (b) that
submission of information in response to this RFI constitutes consent
to such handling and disclosure of submitted information. However, as
stated previously, the Government is not soliciting proprietary
information.

This RFI is being used to obtain information for planning purposes
only and the Government does not presently intend to award a contract
at this time. As stipulated in FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice
are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to
form a binding contract. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not
request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it
will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on the NASA Acquisition Internet
Service. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet
cite for the release of any synopsis or solicitation and amendments, if
any. An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note "B". The
Government reserves the right to consider a small business or 8(a) set-
aside based on responses hereto. The solicitation and any documents
related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These
documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be
accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL,
for the NASA/LaRC Business Opportunities home page is
http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi-gr=D&pin#

It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet cite for
the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential
offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the
solicitation and amendments, if any. Any referenced notes may be viewed
at the following URLs linked below.
Point of Contact

Liliana J Richwine, Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer, Phone
(757) 864-2478, Fax (757) 864-7709, Email Liliana.J.Richwine@...
Email your questions to Liliana J Richwine at
Liliana.J.Richwine@...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid792

PRESS RELEASE Date Released: Monday, May 2, 2005 Source: American
Astronomical Society

American Astronomical Society Calls Cuts to NASA Science Funding a
Threat to US Pre-eminence in Space

The American Astronomical Society released a statement today (included
in whole below and available at the AAS website
(http://www.aas.org/governance/council/resolutions.html) decrying the
recently announced cuts to NASA astrophysics funding.

AAS President Robert Kirshner said, "NASA is having a tough time
paying for its superb science program. This year's choice to omit
support of individual astronomers is very painful for astronomers and
could lead to serious damage in the long run. We have to work with NASA
to make sure that the president's exploration vision is firmly linked
to a broad view of the science NASA does so well."

David Black, chair of the AAS Committee on Astronomy and Public Policy
said:

"The budget pressures that NASA and its Science Mission Directorate
face are significant. Much of the problem is due to a substantial
increase in Congressional earmarks, so the need for action by NASA is
clear. The problem with the steps that have been taken by NASA are
twofold. First, the Research and Analysis programs that have been hit
with cuts are the seed stock of the nation's future talent, and
reducing them at a time when there is a new Administrator charged with
implementing the President's call for expanded exploration, is hard to
rationalize. Second, there is concern that we may be seeing a dangerous
precedent for future tight budget years. Continued reductions like
these could put our nation's stature as a leader in space, and the
benefits that flow from that leadership, at risk."

The American Astronomical Society is the primary professional
organization for astronomers and astrophysicists in the United States
with more than 6,000 current members. In addition, the Society
publishes the major research journals in the fields of astronomy and
astrophysics and holds biannual meetings to highlight research
performed by astronomers worldwide. The AAS works actively to further
astronomy and astrophysics research in the United States and
internationally. The Society web page is www.aas.org.

AAS STATEMENT ON RECENT NASA SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE BUDGET ACTIONS

NASA's science programs have provided---and continue to provide---the
Nation with a strong return on its investment in space exploration.
Essential elements of this return are NASA's data analysis programs
associated with specific missions and its research and analysis (R&A)
programs that fund more general research that guides and informs future
space missions. These R&A programs are critical for training the next
generation of scientists and assuring the nation of continued
leadership in space exploration.

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) budget for FY 2005 has come
under intense pressure with required reductions of several hundred
million dollars arising from costs of returning the shuttle fleet to
flight, unplanned expenses associated with the Hubble Space Telescope,
and a record level of unfunded congressional earmarks. As a result,
NASA has announced a series of terminations of new mission
opportunities, as well as cutbacks in key R&A programs for the coming
year.

Reductions in R&A programs have a disproportionate long-term impact
for the small amount of money saved. These reductions compromise a
major vehicle for recruiting and developing younger researchers, and
therefore, the cuts correspond to the loss of scientists and the
capabilities they bring to our national space efforts. The President is
calling for expanded exploration. Cutting R&A programs and thereby
reducing our capacity to explore cannot accomplish that.

Budget actions taken at this time can set dangerous precedents for
upcoming years, as prospects for NASA's future budget appear no better
than for FY2005. To ensure that long-term priorities are preserved and
that science return is maximized in a reduced funding environment, NASA
should involve members of the science community in a current assessment
of missions before finalizing decisions on possible mission
terminations. What is at stake is American preeminence in space science
and the scientific, educational and economic benefits that flow from
that enterprise.

Contact Information:

Dr. Kevin B. Marvel, Deputy Executive Officer, American Astronomical
Society 202-328-2010x114, Cell: 703-589-7503 marvel@...

Dr. Robert Kirshner, AAS President 617-495-7519

Dr. David Black, President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities
Space Research Association 281-486-2159

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STATUS REPORT Date Released: Monday, May 2, 2005 Source: NASA Office
of Exploration Systems

NASA Special Notice: Exploration Systems Mission Directorate FY05 BAA
Deferred

General Information

Document Type: Special Notice Solicitation Number: NASA-SNOTE-050502-
001 Posted Date: May 02, 2005 Original Response Date: Current Response
Date: Original Archive Date: May 02, 2006 Current Archive Date: May 02,
2006 Classification Code: 99 -- Miscellaneous

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid437 STATUS REPORT Date
Released: Monday, May 2, 2005 Source: NASA Office of Exploration Systems

NASA Special Notice: Exploration Systems Mission Directorate FY05 BAA
Deferred

General Information

Document Type: Special Notice Solicitation Number: NASA-SNOTE-050502-
001 Posted Date: May 02, 2005 Original Response Date: Current Response
Date: Original Archive Date: May 02, 2006 Current Archive Date: May 02,
2006 Classification Code: 99 -- Miscellaneous

Contracting Office Address

NASA - Headquarters, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD),
300 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20546-0001

Description

The Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) has decided to
defer indefinitely the previously planned FY2005 Broad Agency
Announcement (BAA) for the Exploration Systems Research and Technology
(ESR&T) and Human Systems Research & Technology (HSRT) programs.

Before initiating any technology investments, ESMD will reassess the
technology requirements to ensure they remain properly aligned with the
Vision for Space Exploration.

Industry technology managers involved or interested in the BAA
solicitation should know that ESMD will continue to post up-to-date
detailed information of its acquisitions on both this site and the
Exploration Systems website www.exploration.nasa.gov. We regret any
inconvenience these changes may cause. However, you can be assured that
we are modifying these ESMD development programs to better achieve
mission success. We will provide additional insight into our revised
plans as soon as they become available.

Point of Contact

Rhett Herrera, Contracting Officer, Phone (202) 358-3633, Fax (202)
358-3342, Email rhett.a.herrera@...

Email your questions to Rhett Herrera at rhett.a.herrera@...

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid437
~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~
MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011 http://www.jpl.nasa.gov News Release: 2005-069 May 2, 2005 NASA's Next Mars Spacecraft Arrives in Florida for Final Checkout A large spacecraft destined to be Earth's next robotic emissary to Mars has completed the first leg of its journey, a cargo- plane ride from Colorado to Florida in preparation for an August launch. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is an important next step in fulfilling NASA's vision of space exploration and ultimately sending human explorers to Mars and beyond. The spacecraft's prime mission will run through 2010. During this period, the project will study Mars' composition and structure, from atmosphere to underground, in much greater detail than any previous orbiter. It will also evaluate possible sites for future martian landings and will serve as a high-data-rate communications relay for surface missions. "Great work by a talented team has brought Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to this milestone in our progress toward a successful mission," said Jim Graf of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., project manager for the mission. The spacecraft arrived at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility on April 30 aboard a C-17 cargo plane and was taken to the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility to begin processing. It was built near Denver by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. Launch is scheduled for Aug. 10 at 7:53:58 a.m. EDT (4:53:58 a.m. PDT), at the opening of a two-hour launch window. The spacecraft will undergo multiple mechanical assembly operations and electrical tests to verify its readiness for launch. A test this month will verify the spacecraft's ability to communicate through NASA's Deep Space Network tracking stations. A June test will check the deployment of the spacecraft's high gain communications antenna. Another major deployment test will check out the spacecraft's large solar arrays. In July, the spacecraft will be filled with hydrazine fuel for the "Mars orbit insertion" engine burn, which will be used to reduce the velocity of the spacecraft and place it in orbit around Mars. The fuel also will be used for attitude-control propellant. On July 26 the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will be encapsulated in the Atlas V fairing prior to being moved to its launch site on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Lockheed Martin Atlas V arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Antonov cargo plane on March 31 and was taken to the high bay at the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center. The Atlas booster will be transported in May to the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 to be erected. The Centaur upper stage will be transported to that facility for hoisting atop the booster in June. Prelaunch preparations will include a "wet dress rehearsal" in July, during which the Atlas V will be rolled from the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad on its mobile launch platform. The vehicle will be fully fueled with RP-1, liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, and the team will perform a simulated countdown. The Atlas V will then be rolled back into the Vertical Integration Facility for final launch preparations. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will be transported from the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center to the Vertical Integration Facility on July 29. It will be hoisted atop the launch vehicle to join the Atlas V for the final phase of launch preparations. The spacecraft is scheduled to undergo a functional test on August 1, followed by a final week of launch vehicle and spacecraft closeouts. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission is managed by JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the prime contractor for the project. International Launch Services, a Lockheed Martin joint venture, and Lockheed Martin Space Systems are providing launch services for the mission. Information about Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is available online at http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro .=
~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~

NASA Presolicitation Notice: Corporate Council Membership
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid396

NASA Mars Odyssey THEMIS Image: Water Flow Evidence in Kasei Vallis
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid405

NASA Mars Global Surveyor TES Dust And Temperature Maps 26 April 2005
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid403

NASA Mars Global Surveyor TES Dust And Temperature Maps 25 April 2005
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid402

NASA Mars Global Surveyor TES Dust And Temperature Maps 24 April 2005
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid401

NASA Opportunity Rover Discovers Tiny Craters on Mars
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid776

NASA Mars Rover Spirit Approaches "Methuselah" Outcrop on Mars
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid775

NASA Mars Rover Panorama Shows Vista From 'Lookout' Point
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid774

-- Sonya mailto:msredsonya@... PLoS Medicine http://www.plosmedicine.org The open-access general medical journal from the Public Library of Science Share your discoveries with the world.