SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPULSION FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION PARTNERSHIP – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION | NNH17ZOA003L

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NASA opportunity described here?

It is a NASA Headquarters Request for Information (RFI) titled "Solar Electric Propulsion Flight Demonstration Partnership" (solicitation number NNH17ZOA003L), issued on August 8, 2017. The RFI seeks input and gauges interest in partnering with NASA on a near-term in-space flight demonstration of advanced solar electric propulsion (SEP) hardware.

Is this a grant announcement or a commitment to provide funding?

No. This is not a standard grant announcement and it is not a promise of funding. It is described as market research intended to collect information and assess potential partnership interest and concepts.

What is NASA trying to learn by issuing this RFI?

NASA is using the RFI to understand how much real-world interest exists for a collaboration, and to collect mission ideas and implementation approaches that could make a flight demonstration feasible on a short timeline.

Who issued the RFI and when was it released?

NASA Headquarters issued the RFI on August 8, 2017.

What is the solicitation number for this RFI?

The solicitation number is NNH17ZOA003L.

How were responses required to be submitted?

Responses were required to be submitted electronically through the NSPIRES system.

What was the closing date for responses?

The original closing date was September 8, 2017.

Who was eligible to respond?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning NASA was open to hearing from a broad range of potential partners, including industry and other government organizations.

What technical areas does the RFI focus on?

The RFI focuses on NASA's development of high-power solar electric propulsion components, specifically large, lightweight, deployable flexible blanket solar arrays and a 13-kilowatt Hall effect thruster designed with magnetic shielding to support long-life operation.

What SEP hardware does NASA highlight for the flight demonstration concept?

NASA highlights two main elements: (1) large, lightweight, deployable flexible blanket solar arrays, and (2) a 13-kilowatt Hall effect thruster with magnetic shielding aimed at long-life operation.

What is the purpose of the proposed flight demonstration?

The purpose is to demonstrate advanced SEP hardware in space as soon as possible after NASA completes development and ground qualification. The demo is intended to validate performance in an operational environment and build confidence for future adoption and mission use.

What timeline does NASA describe for the SEP system readiness?

NASA anticipates completing development and ground qualification of the electric propulsion system under an existing contract by 2019, and wants a flight demonstration as soon as possible after that qualification milestone.

What partnership structure does NASA envision?

NASA anticipates contributing the SEP hardware (potentially one or more propulsion system units), while the partner would provide the spacecraft bus, mission integration, and access to launch.

What would NASA provide in the partnership?

NASA would contribute the solar electric propulsion hardware, potentially including one or more propulsion system units.

What would the partner be expected to provide?

The partner would bring the spacecraft bus, perform mission integration, and provide access to launch.

What cost expectations does NASA state for the demonstration?

NASA emphasizes it is looking for a demonstration that comes at minimal, and ideally no additional, cost to the agency.

Does NASA expect the partner to benefit from the same mission?

Yes. NASA indicates the partner is expected to use the same spacecraft and mission to advance its own objectives (commercial, scientific, or government), so the demonstration provides shared benefits rather than being a NASA-only mission.

What kinds of partner objectives are contemplated?

The RFI notes that partner objectives could be commercial, scientific, or government-related, as long as the mission can also support the SEP flight demonstration.

What mission classes does NASA say SEP can enable?

NASA describes these technologies as enabling multiple mission classes, including human exploration pathways such as Mars missions, operations in cis-lunar space, and more capable science missions that benefit from efficient propulsion and high electrical power.

Why is SEP relevant to commercial space users?

NASA highlights that advanced SEP can support more affordable spacecraft power systems and enable highly efficient orbit raising, orbit transfer, and station-keeping for commercial satellites and other space services.

What are NASA's stated benefits of a successful SEP flight demonstration?

NASA identifies two key benefits: (1) accelerating confidence in and adoption of SEP by proving performance in the operational environment, which can speed commercial infusion and broader use; and (2) reducing technical and programmatic risk for future NASA exploration architectures by validating propulsion and power technologies before they are committed to more critical missions.

How does this relate to NASA exploration architectures mentioned in the RFI?

NASA specifically mentions reducing risk for future exploration architectures and cites the Deep Space Gateway and related exploration applications as areas that could benefit from early validation of SEP and power technologies.

Is the RFI limited only to private industry respondents?

No. The RFI explicitly mentions collecting input from industry and other government organizations, and the eligibility is described as unrestricted.

Does the RFI guarantee NASA will select a partner or fly a demonstration?

No guarantee is stated. The RFI is described as a request to gauge interest and gather input, not as a commitment to award funding or proceed with a specific selection.