Tweet
At the very least this means a space-tug powered by the VASIMR plasma rocket, in addition to the re-boost engines for ISS. If it works for these then we have our first true space-drive capable of going anywhere in the solar system much faster than any mission so far. It's extremely efficient, requiring only a tiny fraction of the fuel of a chemical rocket, yet it can accelerate a spacecraft to such high speeds a trip to Mars would take just a few weeks instead of 1-2 years. Bottom line: this is a real live 'impulse drive".
Very attractive, especially now that Obama is ready to axe the Constellation project: the Ares I and V rockets and the Orion spacecraft, all over budget and under-performing. Bottom line there is that commercial space seems to be getting the job of ferrying our astronauts to the ISS and other destinations.
NASA JSC Solicitation: Variable Specific Impulse Magento-Plasma Rocket - VASIMR
STATUS REPORT
Date Released: Friday, January 29, 2010
Source: Johnson Space Center
Synopsis - Jan 21, 2010
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNJ10323967R
Posted Date: Jan 21, 2010
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Jan 21, 2010
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Feb 08, 2010
Current Response Date: Feb 08, 2010
Classification Code: H -- Quality control, testing and inspection services
NAICS Code: 541380 - Testing Laboratories
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BH
Description
NASA/JSC has a requirement for the acquisition of services to update a magnet fixture with an additional cryocooler for conduction cooling and to eliminate the liquid cyrogen cooling system in preparation for crycooler testing in vacuum and magnetic field combined environments. In addition, Studies will be conducted to evaluate a Lunar Tug concept utilizing Variable Specific Impulse Magneto-plasma Rocket (VASIMR) engine capabilities from Low Earth Orbit to Lunar Orbit and libration points.
NASA/JSC intends to purchase these services from Ad Astra Rocket Company. This is made pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 for the acquisition of supplies and services determined to be reasonably available from only one source. Ad Astra Rocket Company holds the exclusive right to develop VASIMR technologies under NASA patent applications. Adequate relevant cooling of the High Temperature Superconducting(HTSC) magnets require the conversion of the original HTSC magnet facility to utilize space-relevant cryo-cooler technology that has not yet been utilized under conditions that are relevant to VASIMR operation in space. Ad Astra Rocket Company uniquely possesses the patent rights and institutional memory necessary to make this test fixture relevant to VASIMR technologies.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on February 8, 2010. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
Point of Contact
Name: Cheryl D. Bass
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 281-483-3476
Fax: 281-483-7890
Email: cheryl.d.bass@nasa.gov
Name: Vanessa R. Beene
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 281-244-5257
Fax: 281-244-5331
Email: vanessa.r.beene@nasa.gov
STATUS REPORT
Date Released: Friday, January 29, 2010
Source: Johnson Space Center
Synopsis - Jan 21, 2010
General Information
Solicitation Number: NNJ10323967R
Posted Date: Jan 21, 2010
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Jan 21, 2010
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Feb 08, 2010
Current Response Date: Feb 08, 2010
Classification Code: H -- Quality control, testing and inspection services
NAICS Code: 541380 - Testing Laboratories
Contracting Office Address
NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BH
Description
NASA/JSC has a requirement for the acquisition of services to update a magnet fixture with an additional cryocooler for conduction cooling and to eliminate the liquid cyrogen cooling system in preparation for crycooler testing in vacuum and magnetic field combined environments. In addition, Studies will be conducted to evaluate a Lunar Tug concept utilizing Variable Specific Impulse Magneto-plasma Rocket (VASIMR) engine capabilities from Low Earth Orbit to Lunar Orbit and libration points.
NASA/JSC intends to purchase these services from Ad Astra Rocket Company. This is made pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 for the acquisition of supplies and services determined to be reasonably available from only one source. Ad Astra Rocket Company holds the exclusive right to develop VASIMR technologies under NASA patent applications. Adequate relevant cooling of the High Temperature Superconducting(HTSC) magnets require the conversion of the original HTSC magnet facility to utilize space-relevant cryo-cooler technology that has not yet been utilized under conditions that are relevant to VASIMR operation in space. Ad Astra Rocket Company uniquely possesses the patent rights and institutional memory necessary to make this test fixture relevant to VASIMR technologies.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on February 8, 2010. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
Point of Contact
Name: Cheryl D. Bass
Title: Contract Specialist
Phone: 281-483-3476
Fax: 281-483-7890
Email: cheryl.d.bass@nasa.gov
Name: Vanessa R. Beene
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 281-244-5257
Fax: 281-244-5331
Email: vanessa.r.beene@nasa.gov