National Aeronautics and February 20, 1996 Space Administration NRA 96-OSS-03 RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT SPACE PHYSICS NEW MISSION CONCEPTS PROGRAM Notice of Intent to Propose Due: April 1, 1996 Proposal Submission Deadline: May 20, 1996
OMB Approval No. 2700-0087SPACE PHYSICS NEW MISSION CONCEPTS PROGRAM NASA Research Announcement Soliciting Proposals for Basic Research Submitted on or Before May 20, 1996 NRA 96-OSS-03 Release Date: February 20, 1996 Notice of Intent to Propose Due: April 1, 1996 Proposal Submission Deadline: May 20, 1996 Office of Space Science National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, DC 20546-0001
The objectives of the NASA program in space physics are to study (i) the Sun as a typical dwarf star and as the principal source of the time-varying electromagnetic energy and magnetized plasma that forms the heliosphere; (ii) the interaction of these varying solar radiations with the Earth and other planets to form and drive magnetospheric, ionospheric, thermospheric, and mesospheric phenomena; (iii) the entire heliosphere and its interaction with the galaxy ; and (iv) the origin and propagation of cosmic rays and neutral matter that enter our solar system from the cosmos. These subdisciplines are collectively represented by the Sun-Earth-Heliosphere Connections theme in the Office of Space Science.
The purpose of this NRA is to invite proposals for concept studies for new missions in one or more of these disciplines that promise major scientific advances and whose required technologies could be sufficiently developed to allow consideration for new start authorization between 1999 and about 2005. Such concept studies should result in the definition of the scientific objectives and the technical requirements for specific missions over a range of program sizes and complexities in one of four cost categories (development cost for spacecraft and payload, as estimated in 1996 dollars, exclusive of launch vehicle):
- low cost missions up to $20M that may either be orbiting (launched by the Space Shuttle or by an expendable launch vehicle as a secondary or primary payload), or suborbital (utilizing sounding rockets or stratospheric balloons, including long-duration balloons around the Earth's polar caps);
- intermediate class missions in the range $71-150M; and
- large missions not to exceed $250M.
Participation in the new mission concepts program is open to all categories of organizations, including educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations, profit making corporations, NASA Centers, and other Government agencies. Since U.S. Government policy seeks to maximize opportunities for Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Minority Institutions, investigators from such institutions are especially encouraged to propose.
In all cases selection for funding of concept studies will be based on the proposal's science and technical merit as determined by peer review, relevance to the NASA program in space physics, and cost of the study. Funding for selected proposals will derive from NASA's budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 1996 that began October 1, 1995. Approximately $1M for each of FY's 1996 and 1997 is expected to be available for this program, which will be used to support a mix of one and two year studies costing up to about $100K each per year. However, the Government's obligation to make awards under this NRA is contingent upon receipt of proposals that the Government determines are acceptable for award and the availability of funds.
Proposers selected for this program must provide a final, complete report of their findings. Since NASA may use these reports to advocate future program activities, it is understood that all final reports derived through this program will be in the public domain. NASA makes no promise that missions so studied will ever be approved for funding and, even if they are approved, that any of the original selectees to this NRA will be granted special priority for selection as investigators for those programs (including suborbital).
Appendix A provides supplemental information specific to this NRA, as well as amendments to Appendix B which contains NASA standard guidance for the preparation and the evaluation of proposals. Appendix C provides model formats for summary information that must accompany each proposal. All appendices may be obtained through any of the following methods:
- by written request (facsimile, postal mail, or e-mail) to the point of contact for additional information listed below;
- by returning the order form enclosed as part of this mailing; or
- by downloading from the Space Physics WWW homepage at http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/spd/
The following summary information applies to this NRA:
Address for submission of both the Notice of Intent and the proposal by U.S. Postal Service, private courier, or commercial mail: NASA Space Physics New Mission Concepts Program Jorge Scientific Corporation Suite 700 400 Virginia Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20024 USA. [Contact for commercial mail delivery: Ms. Susan Borden (202) 554-2775] [For NOI submissions only: Facsimile - (202) 554-2970 E-mail - hlancast@leda.hq.nasa.gov]
Selecting official: Director, Space Physics Division Office of Space Science NASA Headquarters
Contact for additional information: Mr. Richard J. Howard Code SS NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546-0001 Phone - (202) 358-0898 Facsimile - (202) 358-3987 E-mail - rhoward@hq.nasa.gov
Your interest and cooperation in participating in this effort are
solicited and appreciated.
-- signed --
Wesley T. Huntress, Jr.
Associate Administrator for
Space Science
Web Editor:
Amy Skowronek
amy@aloha.nascom.nasa.gov
(301) 286-4713
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