Astronomy: NASA Seeks Game Changing Solar Array Systems Proposals

Hi My Friends: A VUELO DE UN QUINDE EL BLOG., "NASA's Game Changing Development Program focuses on maturing advanced space technologies that may lead to entirely new approaches for the agency's future space missions," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program at the agency's Headquarters in Washington. "This call for proposals will result in the development of revolutionary space solar array systems that can be scaled for future human exploration missions to destinations well beyond low Earth orbit."

Artist's concept of Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator slowing the atmospheric entry of a spacecraft. Credit: NASA.

Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator The Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) project will focus on the development and demonstration of hypersonic inflatable aeroshell and technologies suitable for returning mass from the International Space Station.

The key technologies include flexible materials that will protect a spacecraft from the thermal environments experienced during reentry into Earth's atmosphere, along with a high-strength, lightweight, inflatable bladder capable of withstanding high temperatures.

The HIAD Project is developing a truly crosscutting technology for atmospheric entry. This technology enhances, and potentially enables, a variety of proposed NASA missions to destinations with atmospheres (Mars, Venus, Titan, the gas giants). This also holds true for returning payloads to Earth from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond, such as International Space Station down mass or sample return capsules. Not only is this technology applicable to robotic vehicles, the technology is envisioned to be scalable for crewed missions to Mars.

The HIAD Project is orchestrating a series of ground and flight tests to demonstrate the viability of thermal resilient materials manufactured in robust configurations to withstand the extreme structural and thermal environments experienced during atmospheric entry. Benefits of using the inflatable decelerator design includes mission flexibility provided by the minimal volume and mass requirements to transfer the stowed HIAD to its destination, as well as increased landed mass, accuracy, and altitude in a variety of space applications.

PROGRESS:

In August 2009, this technology was successfully demonstrated with the flight of the Inflatable Reentry Vehicle Experiment II (IRVE-II), launched from Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). Another flight demonstration will be conducted in the June 2013 timeframe.

› Click here for more information on HIAD.

The Game Changing Development (GCD) program investigates novel ideas and approaches that have the potential to revolutionize future space missions and provide solutions to significant national needs.

GCD will identify and rapidly mature innovative, high-impact capabilities and technologies and complement them with "new start" and competitively-selected projects by using a balanced approach of guided technology development efforts and competitively-selected efforts from across NASA, academia, industry and other government agencies.

The program will focus on taking technologies from proof of concept through component testing by investing in specific technology areas through component and subsystem testing. GCD work is done primarily in the laboratory with ground testing instead of space work. Successful technologies will transition to other program such as Technology Demonstration Missions or directly to flight missions

NASA Seeks Game Changing Solar Array Systems Proposals

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Space Technology Program is seeking proposals to develop solar array systems to enable space electric propulsion systems of the future.

"NASA's Game Changing Development Program focuses on maturing advanced space technologies that may lead to entirely new approaches for the agency's future space missions," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program at the agency's Headquarters in Washington. "This call for proposals will result in the development of revolutionary space solar array systems that can be scaled for future human exploration missions to destinations well beyond low Earth orbit."

NASA's Space Technology program is seeking proposals for solar array system structures from all potential U.S. organizations, including NASA centers and other government agencies, federally funded research and development centers, educational institutions, industry and nonprofit organizations.

"This call for proposals is a great opportunity to mature advanced and innovative solar array systems in preparation for a space demonstration and eventual use on all future space spacecraft requiring high power," said Stephen Gaddis, Game Changing Development program manager at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

The NASA solicitation will cover two acquisition phases and involve a competitive selection process. During Phase I, proposers will design, analyze and test a scalable solar array system capable of generating more than 30kW of power. The Phase I teams also will identify the most critical technological risks of extending their concept to 250 kW or greater power levels. The intent of Phase II is to prove flight readiness through an in-space demonstration of an advanced, modular and extendable solar array system. After Phase II, follow-on applications will range from high power communications satellites to solar electric propulsion systems.

NASA expects to make up to three awards for Phase I proposals, with total combined costs of approximately $15 to $20 million, based on availability of funds.

This solicitation is an appendix to NASA's Game Changing Opportunities in Technology Development research announcement and can be found through the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System website by going to "Solicitations" and then "Open Solicitations" at:

http://nspires.nasaprs.com/

NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., manages the Game Changing Development Program and will oversee the technical aspects of this technology development effort under Phase I. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland will manage the awarded contracts for the agency's Space Technology Program under both phases.

For more information on the Game Changing Development Program's activities, visit:
http://go.usa.gov/mj2
Guillermo Gonzalo Sánchez Achutegui
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