Community Announcement: Release Status of an Earth Venture Orbital Solicitation

Other / Unclassified

This document is a community announcement from NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD), Earth Science Division (ESD), providing an advanced notice of their intention to solicit Earth Venture (EV) investigations. It announces the upcoming solicitation for the Earth Venture Orbital (EVO) series, which will focus on Principal Investigator (PI)-led, cost-capped investigations for operations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

This announcement is relevant to potential bidders as it signals an upcoming solicitation. Key areas of focus for the solicitation include:

• Faster time-to-science
• Strategic use of commercial capabilities
• Promoting partnerships

NASA is seeking feedback to shape the release of the first EVO solicitation. Interested parties are encouraged to submit questions or comments by April 23, 2026. Contact information for Michael Kaszyca and Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer is provided for inquiries. Further details and updates will be posted on the EVO-1 Acquisition Homepage.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Community Announcement (CA) providing advance notice of NASA's intention to solicit proposals for innovative, Principal Investigator (PI)-led, cost-capped investigations for operations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) under the Earth Venture Orbital (EVO) element. The solicitation, named EVO-1, aims to procure a wide range of development approaches, including commercial best practices and NASA Class D tailored development.

• Proposals will be for Earth science investigations.

• Investigations can involve:

  • Space-based instruments for integration on a NASA-provided platform/launch vehicle.
  • Instrument(s) and spacecraft (observatory), including CubeSats, for integration on a NASA-provided launch vehicle.
  • Complete missions where the PI provides instrument(s), spacecraft, and launch vehicle.

• NASA desires a reduced time-to-science, with a goal of launch within 3-4 years of authority to proceed and selection within 6 months.

• PIs must identify potential non-NASA funded partnerships for continued operations and data collection/processing after the prime mission.

• NASA is committed to principles of open science, including sharing of data, algorithms, software, and documentation.

• The approximate budget range for the PI-Managed Mission Cost-cap (PIMMC) is $35M to $115M (in FY2026 dollars).

• NASA is seeking community feedback on the optimal PIMMC.

• The solicitation is expected to be released in 4Q CY2026, with a proposal due date 90 days after release.

• NASA has not yet issued the solicitation, and this CA does not obligate NASA to issue it.

• Any costs incurred in preparing responses are at the submitter's risk.

• Feedback on the approach/structure, investigation structure, and reducing time to science is encouraged by April 23, 2026.

• Participation is open to all categories of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, including educational institutions, UARCs, industry, not-for-profit organizations, FFRDCs, NASA Centers, and other Government agencies.

• This is the first solicitation in the EVO series.

• Potential NASA-provided platforms/launch vehicles include NASA's Flight Opportunities Program and NASA's Launch Services Program Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR).

• Commercial contracting approaches are welcome.

• NASA may select one or more investigations based on PIMMC and funding availability.

• Questions or comments about this CA should be directed to Michael Kaszyca (michael.kaszyca@nasa.gov) and Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer (nadya@nasa.gov).