Lunar Surface Science Mobility System (LSSMS-1)

The purpose of this amendment is to remove the direct link to the NSPIRES announcement file under Attachments/Links and add the corrected, direct link to the NSPIRES announcement. This is a summary notice for Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will take action in this matter. This notice is not a complete or verbatim summary of the Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) RFI entitled: “ Lunar Surface Science Mobility System (LSSMS-1) NNH20ZDA004L ”; therefore, it is necessary to download the full RFI using the link at the end of this notice or to visit the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES) https://nspires.nasaprs.com and download the full version of the RFI solicitation number NNH20ZDA004L. Summary Consistent with Forward to the Moon: NASA’s Strategic Plan for Human Exploration and Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022, NASA is soliciting input to assist the Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) in planning the development of a sustainable, uncrewed, mobility capability for lunar surface science. This Request for Information (RFI), solicitation number NNH20ZDA004L, seeks information from U. S. private sector commercial organizations and organizations which may become, or spin-off, commercial organizations on concepts and rough order of magnitude (ROM) costs for robotic, uncrewed lunar surface science mobility systems to transport and operate scientific/exploration instruments and technology demonstration payloads on future NASA missions. As an explicit emphasis of this RFI, NASA seeks to encourage participation from traditional aerospace communities and from organizations that typically do not engage in aerospace missions and activities but who are interested in exploring the possibility of adapting their terrestrial, aeronautical, or oceanographic technologies for space use. NASA recognizes the potential value of leveraging the technologies and approaches from providers of mobility or robotic systems originally designed for law enforcement, military, commercial, scientific, or recreational applications. NASA seeks innovative technologies, partners, and approaches to addressing lunar surface mobility needs. This SMD-issued RFI is one of two related to lunar mobility that is being released by NASA in a coordinated approach to explore the lunar surface, to perform new science investigations, and to use the missions to test out systems for further exploration and scientific investigation of the solar system. The other RFI, Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) Request for Information, RFI Number: NNH20ZCQ001L, is released by the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) with an emphasis on the development of a safe and reliable lunar rover to extend the exploration range of suited crewmembers while engaging in Extravehicular Activities (EVA) on the surface of the Moon. As SMD is partnered with HEOMD in achieving NASA’s objectives embodied by the Artemis program, this RFI is distinctly different yet complementary to the HEOMD RFI. The emphasis of this RFI is for mobility systems that are geared toward uncrewed scientific and exploration investigations and technology demonstrations, more so than to larger scale and suited crewmember mobility as part of the human exploration infrastructure. NASA is hosting a virtual industry day to introduce both the HEOMD LTV RFI and the SMD LSSMS-1 RFI. The date for the virtual web event is February 12, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. EST. Details for how to participate are included in the full RFI. Contact Point Please follow the instructions of the full RFI to submit responses. The emails below are not to be used for RFI response submissions; any submissions made via these email addresses will not be considered. Please email questions concerning this RFI no later than February 19, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. EST, and specify in the subject line: “SMD LSSMS-1 RFI Question.” NASA intends to respond to received questions by February 24, 2020. Depending on the nature of received questions, NASA may respond on an individual respondent basis by email but may also post responses to inquiries as frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs) on this site. Any posted FAQs will be redacted to preserve the anonymity of persons and institutions who submit questions and are intended to address inquiries of broader interest and general clarification.