This is a Request for Information (RFI) only; neither NASA nor the Government will be responsible for any costs an organization incurs in furnishing this information. NASA is requesting information from any entity interested in demonstrating the capability of ground stations to provide one-way Doppler measurements using the in-flight Artemis I Orion as the signal source. The capability may or may not be used by NASA to consider its use to augment existing tracking measurements in the future. One-way Doppler measurements involve determining the Doppler shift on the Orion S-band return link carrier signal as observed at the ground station. No uplink (transmit) signals are involved, only passive measurements on the received signal are needed. No ability to acquire and track telemetry data is needed, only the ability to achieve carrier lock and signal tracking. Orion will transmit S-band signals in the 2200 to 2290 MHz band, reserved for Space Operations. Artemis transmit power levels for one-way Doppler measurements are expected to be compatible with apertures in the 9-m+ diameter class, although small apertures may be able to support depending on their capabilities. Services may be provided to one or more NASA Centers nationwide. Interested parties that currently possess assets that can provide S-band telemetry Doppler measurements will receive additional, relevant technical details upon submission. More information is available through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and can be found in “Applicable Documents” within this solicitation. NASA’s Goal Artemis I, formerly Exploration Mission-1, will be the first integrated test of NASA’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will be an uncrewed flight test that will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration, and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond. During this flight, the spacecraft will launch on the most powerful rocket in the world and fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown. It will travel 280,000 miles from Earth, thousands of miles beyond the Moon over the course of a four to six-week mission. Orion will stay in space longer than any ship for astronauts has done without docking to a space station and return home faster and hotter than ever before. With this first exploration mission, NASA is leading the next steps of human exploration into deep space where astronauts will build and begin testing the systems near the Moon needed for lunar surface missions and exploration to other destinations farther from Earth, including Mars. The second flight will take crew on a different trajectory and test Orion’s critical systems with humans aboard. The SLS rocket will evolve from an initial configuration capable of sending more than 26 metric tons to the Moon, to a final configuration that can send at least 45 metric tons. Together, Orion, SLS and the ground systems at Kennedy will be able to meet the most challenging crew and cargo mission needs in deep space. Future exploration missions with crew aboard Orion will assemble and dock with a Gateway. NASA and its partners will use the gateway for deep-space operations including missions to and on the Moon with decreasing reliance on the Earth. Using lunar orbit, we will gain the experience necessary to extend human exploration farther into the solar system than ever before. The goal of this Request for Information is to not only provide NASA with a wide range of sources with the capability to demonstrate one-way Doppler measurements using the Artemis-1 mission, but also provide a unique opportunity for industry to engage with this groundbreaking mission. The capabilities displayed may or may not be used by NASA to consider its use to augment existing tracking measurements. Request for Information NASA is soliciting information from interested potential sources of Artemis I one-way Doppler tracking data that could be provided at no cost to NASA. NASA is specifically interested in the following information. Submitting organizations are encouraged to address as many of the bullet points as possible: Aperture size and relevant performance characteristics for antenna(s) which would be used to support this demonstration. Ability to acquire and track the Orion signal. Ability to generate and record one-way Doppler tracking measurements. Ability to mute/silence ground station transmit functionality to ensure no radiation towards Orion. Compatible data format(s) and the ability to transmit information back to NASA. Additional Questions: Provide description of previous one-way Doppler tracking experience supporting a launch campaign. Provide description of experience providing Doppler tracking for assets beyond GEO. Provide description of safeguards to prevent Uplink Applicable Documents: FCC ONLINE TABLE OF FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS 47 C.F.R. § 2.106 Information Submittals: Organizations interested in providing the above information should submit the information in 5 pages or less, (excluding brochures) to the e-mail address shown below by August 24, 2022. Use single space, 12 –point, Times New Roman format. The following file naming convention should be used: Artemis I Tracking_RFI_company name.doc. For example, Ford would name its file Artemis I Tracking _RFI_Ford.doc. Authorized file formats include: Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, or PDF format. Although all submissions received will be carefully reviewed and considered for inclusion in any possible later action, NASA does not commit to adopt or include any particular recommendations in a subsequent document (e.g., a solicitation). Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in Sam.gov. It is the responsibility of potential offerors/bidders to regularly monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. Response Submission Deadline: Interested parties that currently possess assets that can provide S-band telemetry Doppler measurements should respond to Ruma Das at
[email protected] for more technical details concerning this activity. Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time, on August 24, 2022. RFI submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. Points of Contact: Diane Hood, Contract Specialist, Program Support Procurement Office
[email protected] Ruma Das, Deputy Chief, Commercialization, Innovation, and Synergies (CIS) Office
[email protected] References: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-1