NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 287 Greenbelt, MD

A -- CHARGED COUPLED DEVICE (CCD) STAR TRACKER (ST) FOR SPACE FLIGHT USE SOL RFP5-16833/240 POC STEPHEN KATSARELIS, (301)286-5971 BRADLEY J POSTON, CONTRACTING OFFICER (301)286-6843. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP)5-16833/240 on a sole source basis for a firm fixed price contract with Ball Aerospace Systems, to design, fabricate, and test a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Star Tracker for spaceflight use with options for up to two addtional units. The Star Tracker will interface with the Attitude Control Electronics (ACE) and be used for payload attitude control onboard the Wide-Field Infra Red Explorer (WIRE) satellite. Two optional trackers may be required for future Small Explorer (SMEX) missions. This CCD Star Tracker required for the WIRE spacecraft is identical to a CCD Star Tracker being used on the current SMEX attitude control system design. The attitude control system for the WIRE Spacecraft requires an identical device which must meet the current specification to provide the same form, fit, and function, withstand a minimum total dose of electron and proton bombardment of 100K Rad, and be electrically and mechanically interchangeable with the existing units. This requires that the mechanical envelope, weight, power, electrical interface, and thermal properties be identical to avoid a costly redesign of the attitude control system and accompanying software. If any other Star Tracker is used, the cost to update the Star Tracker simulator software, attitude control softare, the ACS dynamic simulator software, and all the associated component, subsystem, and spacecraft level procedures would be significant. Since the WIRE program is on an extremely tight schedule, the flight qualified star tracker must be delivered within 18 months of contract award (approximately March 31, 1997). Over the past few years Ball Aerospace has designed, fabricated, tested, and delivered four identical CCD star trackers for space flight use for NASA and the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). As a result of these efforts, Ball Aerospace has furthered its unique capabilities in the field of CCD star trackers. Furthermore, this requirement is a continuation of the existing NASA SMEX effort and requires extensive knowledge of the previous work performed. Overall, we believe that Ball Aerospace is the only company that can provide CCD Star Trackers capable of meeting the complex specifications without significant development time and cost, which would impact the WIRE schedule. Ball Aerospace is considered uniquely qualified under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C.2304 (c) (1), an Only One Responsible Source. Any other parties desiring consideration are requested to fully identify their capabilities in writing within fifteen (15) days of the publication of this synopsis to the GSFC Contracting Officer listed above. See Note(s): 22. (0090)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0003 19950403\A-0003.SOL)