Inexpensive Satellites The Goal

Aero-News learned this week NASA selected Space Systems Loral of Palo Alto, CA and MicroSat Systems of Littleton, CO for award of two Rapid Spacecraft Development Office -- known as Rapid II -- contracts with a minimum value of $50,000 each.

This award is under a commercial, fixed price, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract. Each of the Rapid II contracts has a potential maximum value of $1.5 billion.

Rapid II is a multiple award contract for core spacecraft systems and non-standard services. The services may include operations, components and studies to meet the government's space, Earth science and technology needs.

The principal purpose of this contract is to provide core spacecraft systems with any necessary modifications to meet specific mission needs. The baseline scope of work includes fabrication and test of the spacecraft with mission specific design modifications; generation of interface control documents, instrument and full spacecraft integration; test, shipment to launch site, launch vehicle integration support and on-orbit checkout.

In January 2000, NASA awarded the initial Rapid II contracts. New vendors periodically are added if qualified. This award is the result of such an action, and the vendors are eligible to compete for future spacecraft systems that NASA or other federal agencies may require.

The principal work will be performed at the contractors' facilities with additional work required at the government launch site.

FMI: www.nasa.gov