NASA is looking for small satellite proposals
NewsFebruary 06, 2012
WASHINGTON. Officials at NASA in Washington are requesting proposals for small satellite technology flight demonstrations ti improve the technical capabilities as well as range of uses this spacecraft category.
Small satellites usually weigh less than 400 pounds and are typically launched as the secondary payloads on rockets carrying larger spacecraft. The category includes softball-sized CubeSats, which are standardized, small, cube-shaped satellites that can carry small payloads as well as even smaller experimental spacecraft. diverse goals in science, exploration and education."
Small spacecraft are less expensive to launch and build, which enables NASA engineers to engage the small-space community, including small businesses and university experts.
Executive summaries of the proposals must be submitted by 4 March 2012. NASA officials expect to invite full proposals later this spring, with selections scheduled to be made in the fall. A selected project is required be completed within two to three years, costing no more than $15 million. The number of awards depends on proposal cost and quality as well as availability of funding.
Engineers at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., manage the Edison Small Satellite Demonstration Program for the Space Technology Program. For more information on the announcement and instructions for submissions, visit: http://tinyurl.com/7an7lcs.
For more information on NASA's Space Technology Program, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/oct.
