JPL COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGY OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENT The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NOTE: THIS REQUEST IS EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 13, 1999. JPL is interested in receiving from U.S. companies, on a no cost basis; information, recommendations and/or conceptual ideas relating to new methods of involving the private sector in the development of the following projects. JPL also wants to understand what the private sector would require in return for its involvement with JPL. JPL PROJECTS: There are two projects under way at JPL that want to determine private sector interest: (1) The Interplanetary Internet project, conducted by the Space Mission Operations Standardization Program, is extending the reach of the Internet to support end-to-end information flow across the Solar System. The project is developing a high performance IP-based communications protocol suite that operates effectively in the highly stressed space environment, and a variety of techniques that allow remote systems to be tele-controlled. Potential private sector participation could involve: (a) companies that are developing products for the emerging "edge markets" of the terrestrial Internet (such as satellites, untethered and mobile computing) where reliable communications services must be provided over noisy and episodic channels; (b) companies that provide telecontrol systems for remote automated equipment in hostile environments; (c) companies that supply onboard and ground data handling equipment for the aerospace communications industry; or (d) companies interested in sponsoring highly visible spaceflight demonstrations of "internet in Space" operations. (2) The MUSES CN is a project to develop a (2.5 pound) rover five times smaller than the Mars "Sojourner" rover, and operate it on a near-Earth asteroid where there is almost zero gravity. The MUSES CN rover will be delivered to the asteroid by a Japanese mission (spacecraft). The rover will explore the asteroid using a camera and two spectrometers. The rover will roll and, due to the very low gravity, "jump" around the asteroid. Private sector involvement could be possible in association with various elements of the rover, including solar cells, lightweight materials, memory (volatile and nonvolatile) radiation hard ASICs, software algorithms, ground control workstations, image processing and data management. The foregoing scenarios are neither definitive nor exhaustive. It is hoped that submissions will generate ideas for involving the private sector in JPL projects in new ways. NOTE: THIS REQUEST IS EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 13, 1999. This request has no relationship to any other NASA or JPL request. No solicitation will be issued at this time. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no cost or obligation to be incurred by the Government or Caltech. The Government and Caltech will in no way be obligated to purchase all or any part of the information provided. All information obtained from this request may be made available for competitive bidding purposes, should the need arise. This request is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government or Caltech, nor will the Government or Caltech pay for the information solicited. Respondents will be sent an acknowledgment of the receipt of their materials. Respondents will not be notified of the results of any review. Any questions regarding this request should be directed to the identified point of contact. JPL does not wish to receive proprietary or company private information in response to this request for information, and accepts no responsibility should such information be submitted. Submittals should be limited to no more than five (5) pages (including cover), double-spaced, using Times New Roman 12-point type. WEB: Commercial Technology Opportunity, http://techtranfer.jpl.nasa.gov. E-MAIL: CTO CBD Announcement, melanie.j.savage.jpl.nasa.gov. Posted 08/27/99 (W-SN373418).

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