Thu, Dec 23, 2010
Solicits Proposals For Technology Flight Demonstrations And
Information About Suborbital Flight Services
NASA is seeking proposals from researchers interested in
testing new technologies during suborbital flights. The agency also
is requesting information from commercial suborbital reusable
launch vehicle providers and commercial payload integrators about
carrying the technology payloads. The selected payloads will fly on
aircraft that provide parabolic flight trajectories and on
suborbital reusable launch vehicles capable of flying to altitudes
above 62 miles. The flights will expose the payloads to reduced
gravity and near-zero gravity environments.
"During these flights, researchers will be able to test their
technologies in a range of microgravity environments and share
their data with NASA -- data NASA can use when planning future
missions," said Bobby Braun, NASA chief technologist at the
agency's headquarters in Washington.
The solicitation is being made by NASA's Flight Opportunities
Program, which is designed to foster development of a commercial
reusable suborbital transportation industry while developing new
technologies and improving microgravity research. When available,
such reusable vehicles will provide lower-cost, more frequent, and
more reliable access to space. Technology flights are expected to
reduce risks associated with emerging technologies and procedures,
and overall space operations in future missions, by demonstrating
applications in a relevant environment.
XCOR Lynx Suborbital Vehicle
The solicitation for suborbital flights is open until Dec. 31,
2014. Applications for the first round of flights are due by Jan.
31, 2011. Responses to the request for information about services
of commercial suborbital reusable launch vehicle providers are due
Jan. 20, 2011. Participation in both activities is open to all
categories of organizations.
The Flight Opportunities Program, part of NASA's Office of the
Chief Technologist, integrates the existing Commercial Reusable
Suborbital Research and Facilitated Access to the Space Environment
for Technology programs. The Flight Opportunities Program is
managed at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA.
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