NASA Seeks Power & Propulsion Tech Proposals for Deep Space ‘Gateway’

NASA has issued the final solicitation for proposals to develop a power and propulsion element of the Gateway program.

The agency’s proposed Gateway will serve as the orbital outpost for manned and robotic exploration missions to the moon, Mars and other deep space destinations, NASA said Thursday.

“We believe partnering with U.S. industry for the power and propulsion element will stimulate advancements in commercial use of solar electric propulsion and also serve NASA exploration objectives,” said Michele Gates, PPE director at NASA headquarters.

A FedBizOpps notice posted Thursday says NASA intends to award one or more tech demonstration contracts by March 2019 under the PPE broad agency announcement with plans to launch the PPE spacecraft in 2022.

The agency will subject the spacecraft to a spaceflight demonstration for up to a year following launch under the BAA, which contains an option for NASA to acquire the PPE for use as the first element of the Gateway platform.

NASA will accept questions through Oct. 1 and proposals for the PPE solicitation through Nov. 15, according to the notice.