NASA Seeks Innovative Suborbital Flight Technology Proposals

April 16, 2013

David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov

Kathy Barnstorff
Langley Research Center, Hampton Va.
757-864-9886
kathy.barnstorff@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 13-108

NASA SEEKS INNOVATIVE SUBORBITAL FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY PROPOSALS

WASHINGTON -- For a second year, NASA's Space Technology Mission
Directorate is seeking proposals for suborbital technology payloads
and spacecraft capability enhancements that could help revolutionize
future space missions.

Selected technologies will travel to the edge of space and back on
U.S. commercial suborbital vehicles and platforms, providing
opportunities for testing before they are sent to work in the
unforgiving environment of space.

The Game Changing Opportunities in Technology Development research
announcement seeks proposals for technology payloads, vehicle
enhancements, onboard facilities and small spacecraft propulsion
technologies that will help the agency advance technology development
in the areas of exploration, space operations and other innovative
technology areas relevant to NASA's missions. NASA's Flight
Opportunities Program is sponsoring the solicitation and expects
proposals from entrepreneurs, scientists, technologists, instrument
builders, research managers, and vehicle builders and operators. This
year, NASA has included a topic on small spacecraft propulsion
technologies from the agency's Small Spacecraft Technology Program.

"Investing in transformative technology development is critical to
enable NASA's future missions and benefits the greater American
aerospace community," said James Reuther, deputy associate
administrator for programs in NASA's Space Technology Mission
Directorate. "NASA Space Tech's Game Changing Development and Flight
Opportunities Programs are working with our partners from America's
emerging suborbital flight community to foster frequent and
predictable commercial access to near-space while allowing for
cutting-edge technology development."

Following development, selected payloads will be made available to
NASA's Flight Opportunities Program for pairing with appropriate
commercial suborbital reusable launch service provider flights. In
the case of small spacecraft propulsion technologies, there may be
the potential for a direct orbital flight opportunity.

"This call will select innovators to develop novel technology payloads
that will provide significant improvements over current
state-of-the-art systems," said Stephen Gaddis, Game Changing
Development Program manager at NASA's Langley Research Center in
Hampton, Va.
Proposals are due June 17 and will be accepted from U.S. or non-U.S.
organizations, including NASA centers, other government agencies,
federally funded research and development centers, educational
institutions, industry and nonprofit organizations.

NASA expects to make as many as 18 awards this summer with the
majority of awards ranging in value between approximately $50,000 and
$250,000 each. The total combined funding for this announcement is
expected to be about $2 million, based on availability of funds.
The Game Changing Opportunities research announcement is available on
NASA's Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation
System website:

http://nspires.nasaprs.com/

Langley manages the Game Changing Development Program, and NASA's
Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.,
manages the Flight Opportunities Program for the agency's Space
Technology Mission Directorate. For more information on the Game
Changing Development activities and information on this solicitation
for payloads, visit:

http://go.usa.gov/RPS

For more information about NASA's Flight Opportunities Program, visit:


http://go.usa.gov/4fEB


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