Artemis III Alternate Comm System (RFI)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for an Artemis III Alternate Comm System. NASA seeks information from U.S. and international commercial providers on innovative, secondary communications capabilities to enable robust, high-rate data return from the Orion crew vehicle during Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operations for the redefined Artemis III mission. Responses are due May 29, 2026.
Scope of Work
NASA is evaluating a secondary communications system for the Artemis III Orion configuration to address reduced data rates from the primary system during LEO operations. The system must provide near-continuous communication (goal: >75%) with a return link of at least 12 Mbps (goal: 20-50 Mbps downlink) and >500 kbps uplink. Key considerations include hardware availability and ease of integration into the Orion vehicle, with specific goals for power (<90W), mass (<20kg), and volume (22" x 18" x 18"). Both internally configured and externally mounted implementations will be considered, with different delivery timelines (Fall 2026 for external, Early 2027 for internal).
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Market Research
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage)
- Response Due: May 29, 2026, 4:00 pm CT
- Published: May 4, 2026
- Industry Day: May 19, 2026, at Johnson Space Center (virtual option available)
- One-on-One Meeting Requests Due: May 15, 2026, 4:00 pm CT
Requested Information
Respondents are asked to provide detailed information across several categories:
- System Overview: General description.
- System Terminal Parameters: Internal vs. external, size, weight, mass, volume, vehicle interfaces, unique needs.
- Space-Relay Architecture Parameters: Service volume, constellation details, supporting ground infrastructure, existing vs. planned assets, schedule risks.
- End-to-End: Ground interfaces, cloud services, APIs, current flows, existing MCC interfaces.
- Quantitative Link and Reliability Analysis: Link budgets, projected data rates, coverage analysis, network availability.
- Expected Delivery, Integration and Test Schedule: Estimated delivery for engineering and flight units, integration/test steps and timelines.
- Cost: Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for FY26 and FY27.
- Additional Information: Any other relevant insights.
Additional Notes
This RFI is for information-gathering and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment by the Government to procure services. NASA will not reimburse respondents for costs incurred. Any future solicitation will be posted on SAM.gov.