July 23 (UPI) — NASA is seeking proposals from U.S. companies to develop advanced dialog and navigation systems essential for upcoming moon and Mars missions.
The space agency issued a request for proposals on July 7, aiming to establish a “high-bandwidth, high-reliability communications infrastructure” connecting lunar and Martian surfaces with Earth-based communication centers.
“These partnerships foster vital advancements in communications and navigation,” stated Greg Heckler, deputy program manager for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program.
“It allows our astronauts, our rovers, our spacecraft – all NASA missions – to expand humanity’s exploration of the moon, Mars and beyond,” Heckler added.
This new infrastructure is intended to support a robust marketplace for ongoing scientific endeavors, exploration activities, and economic advancement in space, benefiting both NASA and private aerospace firms.
Currently, over 100 NASA and private space missions depend on the NASA SCAN program’s Near Space and Deep Space networks, according to the agency.
These missions encompass support for astronauts aboard the International Space Station, future Artemis moon missions, Earth weather monitoring, lunar exploration, and research into the solar system and beyond.
NASA is accepting submissions until 5 p.m. EDT on August 13.
In december, NASA awarded contracts for the Near Space Network to Intuit machines of Houston; Norway’s Kongsberg Satellite Services; SSC Space U.S. Inc. of Horsham,Pa.; and Viasat Inc. of Duluth, Ga.
These initiatives are designed to facilitate manned missions to Mars and support the development of a moon-based habitat and lunar surface cargo landers.
NASA also recently approved contracts with nine companies, each receiving between $200,000 and $300,000, to conduct tests supporting future Mars missions.
these tests are part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, which plans to send missions to Mars over the next two decades, focusing on commercial and exploration objectives.
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