A -- CONTROL THEORY OF TETHERED FORMATION FLYING STUDY

Notice Date

April 4, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 215, Greenbelt, MD 20771

ZIP Code

20771

Solicitation Number

572-20786-912

Response Due

April 26, 2001

Point of Contact

Lou Etta M Milstead, Contract Specialist for Simplified Acquisition, Phone (301) 286-4782, Fax (301) 286-1720, Email Lou.Etta.M.Milstead.1@gsfc.nasa.gov -- Mary E. McKaig, Contract Specialist for Simplified Acquisition, Phone (301) 286-4240, Fax (301) 286-1720, Email Mary.E.McKaig.1@gsfc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Lou Etta M Milstead (Lou.Etta.M.Milstead.1@gsfc.nasa.gov)

Description

NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a tethered formation flying study as a part of the Cross Enterprise Technology Development Program (CETDP) under the CETDP title: Investigation of an Active Tethered Distributed Spacecraft Architecture. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/GSFC intends to solicit the study from Virginia Polytechnical Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source. Missions wanting to avoid the risk and cost associated with monolithic spacecraft look to a ditributed approach, where basic orbital dynamics may require that the individual elements be tethered. It's inherent lack of rigidity makes its dynamic behavior extremely difficult to predict or control. Space tether dynamics are highly non-linear and extremely complex. Understanding the dynamics of tethers and learning to control spacecraft connected by tethers is key to unlocking the extraordinary potential presented by this unique technology. This study will focus on evaluating a dynamically active rotating system of tethered subsatellites, capable of providing the required scanning motions for high-resolution observations. Such a system would permit: system rotation, scan plane reorientation, and radial translation of distributed sensors in a system of free flying spacecraft. Virginia Polytechnical Institutes' experience spans a variety of research problems from nonlinear attitude dynamics, orbital mechanics, estimation theory and robust adaptive control that place them in a unique position to complete the desired research over the span of the CETDP schedule. This type of adaptive theory is expected to play a key role in the ability to control complex systems such as those being examined for application to the problem. Their experience and capabilities make them the ideal research facility to examine the control systems for large, rotating tethered systems. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on April 26, 2001. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=51#572-20786-912)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010406/ASOL012.HTM (D-094 SN50I2K9)