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July 8, 2024 \u2013 Solicitation Released<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s long-term vision to provide for a resilient space and ground communications and navigation infrastructure in which space mission users can seamlessly \u201croam\u201d between an array of space-based and ground-based networks has been bolstered by innovative studies delivered by industry through the Next Space Technologies for Exploration (NextSTEP) \u2013 2 Omnibus Broad Agency Announcement vehicle.\u00a0 Initially, NASA seeks to create an interoperable architecture composed of a mixture of existing NASA assets and commercial networks and services.\u00a0 In the long-term, this will allow for a smooth transition to fully commercialized communications services for near-Earth users.\u00a0 The overarching goal is to create a reliable, robust, and cost-effective set of commercial services in which NASA is one of many customers.<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s Commercialization, Innovation, and Synergies (CIS) Office has released a solicitation notice under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (Next STEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)\u00a0to seek industry insights, innovative guidance, and demonstrations in the following two (2) Study Areas:\u00a0<\/p>\n
To support lunar surface operations,\u00a0NASA is seeking state-of-the-art industry studies, system development, and demonstrations for a dual-purpose navigation and communication lunar surface user terminal.\u00a0 The terminal must\u00a0meet technical requirements provided by the government\u00a0to support lunar surface exploration plans and ensure interoperability with developed LunaNet and Lunar Communications Relay and Navigation System (LCRNS) standards.\u00a0 The requirements will be split into\u00a0separate LunaNet Augmented Forward Signal (AFS) navigation receiver and communications transceiver capabilities.\u00a0 However,\u00a0the development of a combined communications and position, navigation, and timing (CPNT) system capable of meeting the full suite of requirements is desired.<\/p>\n
Additionally, NASA is seeking innovative industry studies and demonstrations on advanced Network Orchestration and Management Systems (NOMS) that effectively address NASA technical requirements aimed at controlling and interfacing with a globally distributed network of Satellite Ground Systems currently supporting the Near Space Network (NSN).<\/p>\n
The resulting studies will ensure advancement of NASA\u2019s development of space communication and exploration technologies, capabilities, and concepts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n