21st April 2016

NASA seeks proposals for deep space habitation prototypes

NASA is inviting proposals for the development of prototype space habitats that will give astronauts a place to call home during long-duration missions supporting the agency's Journey to Mars program.

NASA's solicitation – Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) – is a follow-on to the NextSTEP Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) released in October 2014, requesting proposals for concept studies and technology development projects in the areas of human habitation, advanced propulsion and small satellites.

NASA's Orion crew spacecraft and Space Launch System are the agency's first major components for establishing a human presence in deep space. With these transportation systems progressing toward their maiden flight in 2018, the agency is now looking toward investments in deep space habitation, the next major component of human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.

NextSTEP is a public-private partnership model that seeks commercial development of deep space exploration capabilities to support more extensive human spaceflight missions in the proving ground of space around the Moon, known as cislunar space, and to enable transit to Mars. This partnership model enables NASA to obtain innovative concepts and support private industry commercialisation plans for low-Earth orbit.

"NASA is increasingly embracing public-private partnerships to expand capabilities and opportunities in space," said Jason Crusan, director of NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) division. "Our NextSTEP partners commit their own corporate resources toward the development – making them a true partner in the spaceflight economy."

Under Appendix A of the NextSTEP-2 Ominbus BAA, the agency is providing the opportunity for additional contractors to join those already under contract through the previous NextSTEP BAA. Proposals will include plans for an evolvable approach to long-duration deep space habitation and the development of full-size, ground prototype habitat units, no later than 2018.

There will be a chance to ask questions about this program during an industry forum on 25th April 2016. Eligible applicants from U.S. companies, universities and non-profit organisations must submit proposals electronically by 15th June 2016.

---

• Follow us on Twitter

• Follow us on Facebook

• Subscribe to us on YouTube

Comments »