Inactive

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) anticipates making launch opportunities available for a limited number of CubeSats... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) anticipates making launch opportunities available for a limited number of CubeSats to a variety of U.S. CubeSat developers. The CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) will provide or facilitate flight opportunities to low-Earth orbit (LEO) as auxiliary payloads on launches, as well as deployments from the International Space Station (ISS), currently planned for 2023-2026. A CubeSat is a type of space research nanosatellite. The base CubeSat dimension is approximately 10x10x11 centimeters (one “Unit” or “1U”). CubeSats supported by this Launch Initiative include volumes between 1U and 12U. CubeSats of 1U, 2U, and 3U size typically have a mass of 1.33 kilograms per 1U Cube. A 6U CubeSat typically has a mass under 12 kg, and a 12U CubeSat typically has a mass under 20 kg. The final allowable mass is dependent upon the selected dispenser and the launch vehicle environment. NASA anticipates entering into one or more agreements with selected Respondents (“Collaborators”) to support the CSLI. Participation in this Launch Initiative will be contingent upon selection by NASA and, for those entities external to NASA, an appropriate non-reimbursable Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) containing standard terms and conditions for all CSLI Collaborators. Proposed CubeSat investigations must address an aspect of Education, Science, or Technology Development encompassed by NASA’s strategic goals and objectives as identified in the NASA 2018 Strategic Plan and other NASA strategic documents. Knowledge and data gained from these payloads will be shared with NASA. NASA will not transfer any funds to selected Collaborators under agreements established in response to this Announcement. Collaborators will be responsible for securing funding to support the development of their CubeSat payload, and for any and all other costs incurred by the Collaborator to participate in the CSLI. More information about the CubeSat Launch Initiative, including previously selected Respondents, is available at: http://go.nasa.gov/CubeSat_initiative.