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Posted by on February 26, 2010, 5:43 pm
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Feb. 26, 2010
John Yembrick
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
john.yembrick-1@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 10-052
NASA OPENS HIGH FRONTIER TO EDUCATION AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS
WASHINGTON -- NASA is announcing a new initiative to launch small
cube-shaped satellites for education and not-for-profit
organizations. CubeSats are a class of research spacecraft called
picosatellites, having a size of approximately four inches, a volume
of about one quart, and weighing no more than 2.2 pounds.
This is NASA's first open announcement to create an agency-prioritized
list of available CubeSats. They are planned as auxiliary payloads on
launch vehicles already planned for 2011 and 2012.
"We're anticipating some exciting proposals for this pilot program
with hopes to break down the barriers to the launching of CubeSats,"
said Jason Crusan, chief technologist for NASA's Space Operations
Mission Directorate in Washington. "There are organizations that have
been waiting a long time for a chance to see their satellites fly in
space."
Proposed CubeSat payloads must be the result of development efforts
conducted under existing NASA-supported activities. Investigations
proposed for this pilot project must address an aspect of science,
exploration, technology development, education or operations
encompassed by NASA's strategic goals and outcomes as identified in
the NASA Strategic Plan and/or NASA's Education Strategic
Coordination Framework.
Collaborators will be required to provide partial reimbursement of
approximately $30,000 per CubeSat. NASA will not provide funding to
support CubeSat activity or development. Selection does not guarantee
an availability of a launch opportunity.
Proposals must be submitted electronically and be received by 4:30
p.m. EDT April 15. Submissions will be evaluated by NASA personnel.
Selection is anticipated by June 30.
For additional information on this announcement and a complete list of
requirements, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/somd/home/CubeSats_initiative.html
For more information on NASA's Strategic Plan, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/budget
For more information on NASA's Education Strategic Coordination
Framework, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/performance/strategic_framework.html
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