NASA Seeks Space Launch System Advanced Development Solutions

What's a "metric ton" as mentioned in this article?

On 21/03/2012 9:43 AM, wrote:
Mar. 20, 2012

Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979


Jennifer Stanfield
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-7199


RELEASE: 12-088

NASA SEEKS SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville,
Ala., has issued a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for advanced
development proposals to support the nation's next heavy-lift rocket,
the Space Launch System (SLS).

NASA is soliciting proposals from industry and academia for innovative
advanced development in areas including concept development, trades
and analyses, propulsion, structures, materials, manufacturing,
avionics and software. These efforts will focus on affordability and
sustainability of the SLS as it evolves from a 70-metric-ton vehicle
to a 130-metric-ton vehicle.

"We look forward to hearing from both industry and academia on
advanced development solutions that will enable the full capability
of the evolved Space Launch System," said Mindy Niedermeyer, the
evaluation team chair. "It's an exciting time for NASA. These
solutions will create entirely new developments in space technology,
taking humans farther in space than ever before."

NASA anticipates making multiple awards in response to this
solicitation with approximately $48 million in total funding. Of this
total amount, the funding anticipated for the base year (Fiscal Year
2013) is $22 million, with $14.5 million for the first year option
(Fiscal Year 2014), and $11.5 million for the second year option
(Fiscal Year 15). Total funding to be allocated to academic awards
for this NRA is approximately $1.5 million per year. Individual
academic awards are expected to be valued up to $250,000 per year.
The deadline to submit proposals is May 15, 2012.

To view the announcement and instructions for submissions, visit:

http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/ep...i?acqid=149905

For more information about SLS, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/sls

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