New Frontiers 2009 Intent to Propose Due

When June 12, 2009 (Fri) ~

Where Washington, DC

May 28, 2009 / Posted by: Yael Kovo

NNH09ZDA007O
Notice of intent to propose are due June 12, 2009 and proposals are due by July 31, 2009

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is releasing a NASA Announcement of Opportunity (NNH09ZDA007O), New Frontiers 2009. NASA expects to select up to three New Frontiers mission proposals for a 10 month Phase A study. Following evaluation of Phase A reports, NASA expects to approve one New Frontiers mission to proceed into Phase B and subsequent mission phases. Launch is to occur no earlier than late CY 2016 and no later than CY 2018. The proposed missions must address the science objectives of one of the eight mission concepts identified in the National Research Councils 2007 report, Opening New Frontiers in Space: Choices for the Next New Frontiers Announcement of Opportunity.

Participation is open to all categories of organizations (U.S. and non-U.S), including educational institutions, industry, not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other Government agencies. This solicitation will be open from April 20, 2009, through July 31, 2009. Upon the release date, the full text of the AO and all appendices will be available electronically at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/. A preproposal conference will be held June 3, 2009, in the Washington, DC, area; see http://newfrontiers.larc.nasa.gov/ for details.

Proposers should be aware of the following major changes in this AO from the Draft New Frontiers Program AO (NNH09ZDA003J) released for public comment on November 17, 2008.

Inorder to be compliant with one of the eight mission concepts in the AO, aproposed investigation must meet a preponderance (not a majority) of thescience objectives.
ANetwork Science mission for the Moon is excluded from this AO as NASA isalready studying an International Lunar Network mission.
TheTrojan/Centaur Reconnaissance mission may address the science objectivesfor either a Trojan or a Centaur or both.
Inaddition, the descriptions of all of the mission concepts have beenrevised or clarified and, where appropriate, any implied missionarchitecture has been deleted.
TheAerospace Corporation is precluded from responding to this AO.
Anyproposed use of NASAs network services shall be based on the policy thatonly one DSN 34 meter antenna will be scheduled at any time during normaloperations.
Thepage limits for the proposal have been increased.

In addition to the listed major changes, this AO incorporates a large number of additional changes relative to the previous New Frontiers Program AO and the Draft New Frontiers Program AO, including both policy changes and changes to proposal submission requirements. All proposers must read this AO carefully, and all proposals must comply with the requirements, constraints, and guidelines contained within this AO.

Direct questions specifically regarding this solicitation to: Dr. Thomas H. Morgan, New Frontiers Program Scientist, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546; Tel.: (202) 358-0828; E-mail: Thomas.H.Morgan@nasa.gov (subject line to read “NEW FRONTIERS AO”).

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