Amendment 50: Release of D.15 System-Level Segmented Telescope Design

Via ROSES program element D.15 System-Level Segmented Telescope Design, NASA is soliciting industry proposals to carry out one-year end-to-end system-level engineering design and modeling studies and associated testbed demonstrations of large (10-meter class or larger) segmented-aperture telescopes, with integrated coronagraphs that will lead to the identification of priority technology investments and subsequent support to start developing and maturing these technologies.

Two types of segmented-aperture observatory concepts have been identified for consideration. For missions focusing on advancing astronomy at ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths (i.e., HabEx and LUVOIR), particularly for directly imaging and spectroscopically characterizing exo-Earth candidates, a key technology priority is to show a path to achieve the needed sub-nanometer wavefront stability. For missions focusing on UVOIR and Exoplanet Scicence, either on-axis or off-axis architectures may be considered. For missions focusing on advancing astronomy at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths (i.e., OST), a key technology priority is to dramatically reduce mirror manufacturing and verification costs to enable future missions to have larger and less-expensive telescope primary mirrors.

Proposals in response to this solicitation are limited to for-profit U.S. industrial organizations of any size, although partnerships with and/or subcontracts to any other types of organizations are permitted.

A preproposal conference will occur on January 5, 2018, 3-5 PM Eastern Time. USA toll free number 1-844-467-4685 with participant passcode = 981671. NOIs are not requested for this program element. Proposals are due February 1, 2018.

Questions concerning this program element may be directed to Mario Perez at mario.perez@nasa.gov.