NASA Seeks Early Stage Innovations For Space Technologies From U.S. Universities – NOI Due June 21, 2012

NASA is seeking proposals from accredited U.S.universities focused on innovative, early-stage space technologies that will improve shielding from space radiation, spacecraft thermal management and optical systems.

Each of these technology areas requires dramatic improvements over existing capabilities for future science and human exploration missions. Early stage, or low technology readiness level (TRL) concepts, could mature into tools that solve the hard challenges facing future NASA missions. Researchers should propose unique, disruptive or transformational space technologies that address the specific topics described in this new solicitation.

“Both science and human deep space missions pose serious challenges that require new, innovative technological solutions,” said Space Technology Program Director Michael Gazarik at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Radiation, thermal management and optical systems were all identified in the National Research Council’s report on NASA Space Technology Roadmaps as priority research areas. This call seeks new ideas in these areas.”

Space radiation poses a known danger to the health of astronauts. NASA is seeking proposals in the area of active radiation shielding (such as “shields” of electromagnetic force fields surrounding a spacecraft to block incoming radiation) or new, multifunction materials that are superior to those that exist today are sought. NASA also is interested in new technologies for active monitoring and read-out of radiation levels astronauts receive during long space trips.

Current space technology for thermal management of fuels in space is limited. NASA is seeking early-stage technologies to improve ways spacecraft fuel tanks and in-space filling stations store cryogenic (very low temperature) propellants, such as hydrogen, over long periods of time and distances. NASA also is seeking novel, low-TRL heat rejection technologies which operate reliably and efficiently over a wide range of thermal conditions.

The next generation of lightweight mirrors and telescopes requires advanced optical systems. NASA is seeking advancement of early-stage active wavefront sensing and control system technologies that enable deployable, large aperture space-based observatories; technologies which enable cost-effective development of grazing-incidence optical systems; and novel techniques to focus and detect X-ray photons and other high-energy particles.

NASA expects to make approximately 10 awards this fall, based on the merit of proposals received. The awards will be made for one year, with an additional year of research possible. The typical annual award value is expected to be approximately $250,000. Second year funding will be contingent on the availability of appropriated funds and technical progress. Only accredited U.S. universities may submit proposals to this solicitation. Notices of intent are due by June 21, 2012, with proposals due July 12.

To view the Early Stage Innovation NASA Research Announcement and information for submitting proposals, visit: http://go.usa.gov/P31

The solicitation is a part of NASA’s Space Technology Program, managed by the Office of the Chief Technologist. For more information about the Space Technology Program and the crosscutting space technology areas of interest to NASA, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/oct

Request For Information (RFI) on Science Objectives and Requirements for the Next NASA UV/Visible Mission Concepts

Request For Information (RFI) on Science Objectives and Requirements for the Next NASA UV/Visible Mission Concepts
Solicitation Number: NNH12ZDA008L
Release Date: May 25, 2012
Response Date: August 10, 2012

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD), through the Astrophysics Division, solicits information pertaining to potential ultraviolet (UV) and visible wavelength astrophysics science investigations. Specifically, NASA seeks information that can be used to develop a cohesive set of science goals that motivate and support the development of the next generation of UV/Visible space astrophysics missions. Information may include broad science goals, justifications for investigations that support Cosmic Origins (COR) Program science goals (for examples, visit http://cor.gsfc.nasa.gov/), specific measurements or proxy observing plans for well-defined astrophysical experiments, or any aspect of scientific inquiry in the UV/Visible that supports the above COR goals.

This is a RFI only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that NASA will take procurement action in this matter. Further, neither NASA, nor the Government will be responsible for any costs incurred in furnishing this information.

This RFI is posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select ‘Solicitations’ then ‘Open Solicitations’ then ‘NNH12ZDA008L’).

ISS Research and Development Conference June 26-28, 2012

Announcing the 1st Annual ISS Research and Development Conference Results and Opportunities, June 26 – 28, 2012 at the Denver Marriott City Center http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/iss_conference.html. The Agenda, registration and hotel information can be found at http://www.astronautical.org/ .

This conference will focus on ISS research and development research results and future opportunities in physical sciences, life sciences, Earth and space sciences, and spacecraft technology development. Plenary sessions will highlight major results and pathways to future opportunities. Plenary and Parallel Session speakers will be discussing their research results and plans for future utilization of the ISS. A workshop for new users will be held on the 3rd day to help them develop ideas for their own experiments using this unique laboratory.

Conference registration is online. Potential researchers can get a leg up on building their ideas by visiting NASA’s space station Research and Technology website.

The conference is organized by the American Astronautical Society in cooperation with NASA and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS).

ROSES-12 Amendment 6 Appendix C.21: In-Space Propulsion Technology Program: Astrodynamics Research Grants

The In-Space Propulsion Technology: Astrodynamics Research Grants (ISPT:ARG) Program is seeking astrodynamics research that falls into two categories: 1) Research or development of an astrodynamics algorithm or methodology suitable for infusion into one of ISPT’s existing tools (Mystic, MALTO, Copernicus, SNAP, and/or OTIS) and 2) Research or development applicable to the development of a new tool to meet the needs of future NASA planetary science missions.

Notices of Intent are due by June 11, 2012 and 7-page proposals are due by August 20, 2012. Tables 2 and 3 of the Summary of Solicitation for this NRA will be updated to reflect these changes.

On or about May 21, 2012, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2012″ (NNH12ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and will appear on the RSS feed at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2012

2012-2013 National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition – Registration Deadline Sept 30, 2012

Enter the National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition

The National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition is the Montana Space Grant Consortium’s Education Program for NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, mission. IRIS will use spectrography and imaging in ultraviolet wavelengths to reveal the dynamics of the sun’s chromospheres and transition region.

This yearly competition is open to undergraduate interdisciplinary teams from colleges and universities across the U.S. Teams are challenged to design and build a working ground-based solar spectrograph and demonstrate the capabilities of the spectrograph as defined by their science goal. Typical teams have three to six students and must have a faculty advisor.

Both substantial scholarship prizes and travel prizes will be given in four categories: best design, best build, best science observations and best presentation of results. Teams may apply for funding of $2,000 per team for project materials. Priority for build funds will be given to minority-serving institutions, community colleges and institutions with less aerospace activity.

Applications for build awards and registrations are due on Sept. 30, 2012.

The competition will be held in Bozeman, Mont., in May 2013. For more information and to register online, visit http://www.spacegrant.montana.edu/IRIS/index.html

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) – Mission 3 to the International Space Station

Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) — Mission 3 to the International Space Station
Communities should apply now for 2012–13 academic year

The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, in partnership with NanoRacks, LLC, announces Mission 3 to the International Space Station. This opportunity gives students across a community the ability to design real experiments to fly in low Earth orbit on the Space Station. The program is open to students in grades 5–14.

Each participating community will be provided a real microgravity research mini-laboratory and all launch services to get it to the International Space Station and safely returned to Earth. An experiment design competition in Fall 2012 in each community (September 17 through November 9) allows student teams to design and write proposals for real experiments vying for their community’s reserved experiment slot on the Space Station. Flight experiments are selected by December 7, 2012. Additional programming leverages the experiment design competition to engage the community, embracing a Learning Community Model for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

The flight of the payload to Space Station is expected in early April 2013, and a return to Earth in mid-May 2013, so that the entire Mission 3 program is contained in the 2012–13 academic year.

For more information, visit the SSEP website at http://ssep.ncesse.org/2012/04/announcing-new-ssep-flight-opportunity-mission-3-to-the-international-space-station-for-the-2012-2013-academic-year/

Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) Releases AO for International Research Participation on ISS Kibo Module

The Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) has released an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to fund experiments to be conducted aboard the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo, on the International Space Station in FY2014 or later. JAXA is recruiting proposals that “make full use of the Kibo’s unique environment that will have major impacts on science, technology, industry and society” according to the JAXA Press Release.

Prioritized research proposals for 3 or 5 years in the fields of Life Sciences, Space Medicine or Physical Sciences will be accepted by research teams led by a Principal Investigator who belongs to an organization in Japan. Research teams may include non-Japanese investigators, however, there will be no transfer of funds to non-Japanese organizations. Physical sciences research includes investigations in materials science, protein crystal growth, fluid physics, and combustion science.

Although NASA is encouraging U.S. investigators to participate on international research teams, NASA does not guarantee that funds will be available to successful U.S. Investigators.

The tentative acceptance period is April 10 (Tue), 2012 to June 8 (Fri), 2012.  The formal acceptance period is April 10 (Tue), 2012 to June 29 (Fri), 2012.

Applications must be postmarked on or before June 29, 2012. Application by email or hand delivery must arrive no later than 5:00 PM on June 29, 2012. For more information on the Kibo AO, please go to http://kibo.jaxa.jp/en/experiment/news/120417_research_themes.html

For additional information concerning potential Life Sciences investigations, contact Dr. David Tomko (dtomko@nasa.gov)

For additional information concerning potential Physical Sciences investigations, contact Dr. Francis Chiaramonte (francis.p.chiaramonte@nasa.gov )

ROSES-12 Amendment 4: Final Text for Appendix B.8, Heliophysics Data Environment Enhancements

This program solicits proposals designed to upgrade existing Heliophysics data products to improve the quality, utility, and accessibility of datasets relevant to Heliophysics research. Also solicited are proposals to continue existing data services, which would typically have a period of award no longer than two (2) years, featuring data from Heliophysics missions that have terminated or will soon terminate.

This amendment presents final text for Appendix B.8, Heliophysics Data Environment Enhancements (HDEE), which replaces the previous text in its entirety. Please Note: a call for Value Added Services, similar to that in previous HDEE calls, and for Virtual Observatories will be issued later this year as a separate call.

The due dates for HDEE have not changed. Notices of intent are due May 11, 2012 and proposals are due on July 20, 2012.

On or about April 18, 2012, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2012″ (NNH12ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and will appear on the RSS feed

at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2012.

Questions concerning Appendix B.8, HDEE, may be addressed to D. Aaron Roberts, Heliophysics Division, Code 672, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771. Email: aaron.roberts@nasa.gov Telephone: (301) 286-5606.