NASA seeks industry insights on PHOMI instrument on NOAA geostationary space weather satellites
Questions and answers:
Q: What is the purpose of this NASA solicitation? A: The RFP seeks a Phase A study for the PHOMI instrument to develop a design concept, cost, schedule, and risk assessments that support eventual flight on NOAA SW GEO satellites.
Q: What measurements will PHOMI provide? A: The instrument will produce line-of-sight measurements of the solar photospheric magnetic field. Doppler velocity observations are also of interest, and potential extensions to vector measurements may be proposed.
Q: What are contractors expected to deliver in the Phase A study? A: Deliverables include a sensor design concept meeting baseline specifications, performance assessment, trade studies, technical analyses, notional development schedule, cost analysis, technology readiness evaluation, and identification of development risks.
GREENBELT, Md. - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Md., has issued a request for proposals for a Phase A study of the Space Weather Geostationary PHOtospheric Magnetograph Imager (PHOMI) instrument, which is planned to fly on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Geostationary (SW GEO) Series satellites. The instrument is designed to produce line-of-sight measurements of the solar photospheric magnetic field, a key input for modeling solar wind velocity, density, and magnetic polarity. Doppler velocity observations are also of interest. Offerors are encouraged to describe any potential extension to full vector measurements and their impacts on sensor size, weight, power, cost, and risk.
The Phase A study will develop a PHOMI instrument design concept along with cost, schedule, and risk assessments to help refine NASA’s mission requirements for eventual flight development. Contractors will be expected to provide a sensor design that meets the baseline PHOMI Requirements Specification (SPEC) and Instrument Mission Assurance Requirements (IMAR), assess sensor performance against specifications, perform trade studies and technical analyses, provide a notional development schedule, perform cost analysis, evaluate technology readiness levels, and identify development risks.
NASA anticipates that, at the conclusion of the Phase A study, the selected contractor will be prepared to enter a System Requirements Review approximately one month after a potential Implementation contract award, followed by a Preliminary Design Review. The government will also consider a pre-priced option for up to six additional months of performance to mitigate technical, cost, and schedule risks and advance the study to a Preliminary Design Review level of readiness.
Questions should be directed to Kyle Vann, who can be reached at [email protected]. More information is available at https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/ec9cb79a47ee4fdd998d52de91106f9e/view.
About the Author
Jamie Whitney
Senior Editor
Jamie Whitney joined the staff of Military & Aerospace Electronics in 2018 and oversees editorial content and produces news and features for Military & Aerospace Electronics, attends industry events, produces Webcasts, and oversees print production of Military & Aerospace Electronics.