Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contract Management Directorate (CMD), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- ASTRO/ORBITAL EXPRESS SATELLITE PREPLANNED ELECTRONICS UPGRADE, REFUELING AND RECONFIGURATION SOL RFI 00-03 DUE 120199 POC Mr. Samuel B. Wilson, III, DARPA/TTO, FAX: (703) 696-2204 WEB: click here to download a copy of the sources sought, www.darpa.mil/baa/#tto. DARPA is considering supporting research, development and on-orbit demonstration of robotic techniques for on-orbit preplanned electronics upgrade, refueling and reconfiguration of satellites that could support a broad range of future U.S. national security and commercial space programs. DARPA is particularly interested in concepts for autonomous satellite servicing, to enable a broader range of satellite operations, longer satellite life, and more maneuverable satellites. Servicing/reconfiguration of satellites at all orbital altitudes is of interest. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is to assist DARPA in assessing the number, nature and maturity of concepts for satellite on-orbit servicing and reconfiguration prior to a program being initiated (currently anticipated to be called the Orbital Express program). Concepts of interest consist of the following: (1) spacecraft-to-spacecraft interface(s) enabling preplanned electronics upgrade, refueling, reconfiguration or resupply (e.g., replenish consumables) of one spacecraft by another; (2) an ASTRO (Autonomous Space Transporter and Robotic Orbiter) servicing spacecraft (envisioned to be a micro-shuttle that remains permanently on-orbit) that will autonomously conduct operations (e.g., inspection and other close-proximity operations, docking, and satellite preplanned electronics upgrade, refueling and reconfiguration), be capable of accessing satellites at all orbital altitudes (LEO-to-GEO-to Lagrangian Points), and be capable of performing significant plane changes (at constant altitude, using ascent-change plane-descent maneuvers, and/or aero-assisted maneuvers); (3) a new satellite design enabling a satellite to be electronically upgraded, serviced (i.e., refueled and/or have consumables replenished) and/or reconfigured (e.g., systems, subsystems or components replaced) by a servicing (ASTRO) spacecraft; and, (4) new fuels (e.g., on-orbit, electrolysis-derived hydrogen and oxygen) with properties enabling satellite-to-satellite fuel transfers. INDUSTRY DAY: Mr. Sam Wilson, DARPA/TTO Program Manager, will host a half-day, unclassified/FOUO review of the planned Orbital Express program for interested representatives of the U.S. Government and U.S. industry only, on 10 Nov 1999 (for details see CBD notice titled, "ASTRO/Orbital Express Industry Day"). TYPE OF CONCEPTS SOUGHT: For the purposes of this announcement, routine, reliable and economical transport to orbit of requisite spacecraft, hardware, fuel and consumables is assumed. Concepts should address: (1) methods for spacecraft rendezvous and docking/grappling (including required propulsion and attitude control for ASTRO, on-orbit storage spacecraft, and serviced satellite); (2) enabling onboard sensors, processing, automation, telepresence and communications/telemetry; (3) description of on-orbit storage spacecraft (e.g., dimensions, mass, materials and construction, functional layout/configuration, guidance/navigation/control, power generation/storage, propulsion, attitude control, mean mission duration, capacity for consumables and on-orbit replaceable subsystems and components, etc.); (4) description of servicing spacecraft (e.g., dimensions, mass, materials and construction, functional layout/configuration, guidance/navigation/control, power generation/storage, propulsion, attitude control, delta velocity potential, mean mission duration, capacity for consumables and on-orbit replaceable subsystems and components, operations between servicing missions, etc.); (5) description of satellite bus/subsystem/payload architecture enabling servicing, reconfiguration and maneuvering by another spacecraft; (6) methods for large-scale on-orbit storage and handling of liquid and/or gaseous consumables; the transfer of those consumables between storage and servicing spacecraft, and servicing spacecraft transfer of those consumables to the serviced satellite; (7) methods for on-orbit storage and handling of replaceable satellite subsystems and components, the transfer of those subsystems and components between storage and servicing spacecraft, and servicing spacecraft installation of those subsystems and components in the serviced satellite; (8) methods for the ASTRO spacecraft to accomplish orbital phase, plane and altitude changes; (9) mechanical and electrical interfaces required to effect on-orbit transfer of liquid and/or gaseous consumables between spacecraft; (10) mechanical and electrical interfaces, mechanical alignments, manipulation techniques, and tools/fasteners required to effect on-orbit robotic replacement of satellite subsystems/components; (11) required changes to serviced spacecraft operational status/mode prior to/following servicing, robotic replacement of subsystems or components, and spacecraft maneuvering; (12) consumable and hardware contamination considerations and precautions; (13) identification of key enabling technologies and assessment of their relative maturity (using the NASA Technology Readiness Levels); (14) identification of current, planned or prospective spacecraft types and/or space missions/programs for which proposed concept is considered viable; (15) concept of operations/scenarios for on-orbit preplanned electronics upgrade, refueling and reconfiguration of satellites employing proposed approach; (16) assessment of cost, cost effectiveness and operational utility of proposed on-orbit servicing concept; (17) proposed approach for on-orbit concept demonstration in LEO. INFORMATION SOUGHT: For each proposed concept, potential sources are invited to submit the following: (1) detailed technical description; (2) photograph(s) or figure(s) with annotations of key processes and subsystems; (3) assessed potential for unmanned/autonomous on-orbit operation; (4) specifications for each key process and subsystem showing (at least) estimated performance characteristics, size, weight, volume, power and thermal requirements, processing efficiency and throughput rate, and operational life/mean time before failure (MTBF) without repair/replacement intervention. Potential sources are urgedto be concise in their submissions. WHAT TO SUBMIT: Two original hard copies of submissions, printed on 8 1/2'' x 11'' pages. Submissions cannot be sent by FAX or e-mail. Sources submitting information will not be reimbursed by the Government for any expenses incurred. WHERE TO SUBMIT: Mr. Samuel B. Wilson, III, DARPA/TTO, ATTN: RFI No. 00-03, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. DARPA point of contact phone number: (703) 696-2310. For additional information, you may contact DARPA's SETA contractor: SRS Technologies, phone number: (703) 284-7789. WHEN TO SUBMIT: On or before 01 December 1999. NOTICE REGARDING CLASSIFICATION: Submitted material must be unclassified. NOTICE REGARDING PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: Submitted material is for planning purposes only. All submitted materials will be held in strictest confidence and will be designated for Government use only. NOTICE REGARDING SOLICITATIONS: This announcement is for information and planning purposes only, and does not constitute a BAA, IFB, or RFP. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as a commitment by the United States Government. Posted 10/29/99 (W-SN396447). (0302)

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