DoD seeks solutions for a self-contained and free flying orbital outpost

[su27k]

Defense Innovation Unit Solution Brief Solicitation: Orbital Outpost

The Department of Defense (DoD) seeks solutions for a self-contained and free flying orbital outpost.  The solution must be capable of supporting space assembly, microgravity experimentation, logistics and storage, manufacturing, training, test and evaluation, hosting payloads, and other functions.  Prospective bidders are invited to submit their proposals (“Solution Brief”) per the guidelines below.

Minimum Desired Specifications

* Internal volume: 1 m3
* Payload capacity: 80 kg
* Power (continuous): 1 kW
* Communications: 100 kbps
* Pressurization: 0 to 1 Atmosphere

Solutions must be established in low Earth orbit within 24 months of award and have guidance, navigation and control for sustained free-flight operations. Favorable characteristics include modularity and scalability.  This prototype effort does not include the cost of launch.

This effort will be multi-phased. The first phase will include engineering and design work. The subsequent phases will focus on the fabrication and test of the prototype, based upon the availability of FY20 funding.

Desired future capabilities (available as options for initial or future implementation) include:

* Common berthing mechanism
* In-space assembly using one or more robotic manipulators and interfaces accepting standard flight fixtures
* Temporary or permanent attachment to other similar modular outposts (manned or unmanned)
* Servicing or re-provisioning to extend flight operations for a longer duration
* Human-rating
* Orbit transfer
* Radiation hardening for beyond LEO applications
* Other unique features contributing to national security or defense. 

The government may facilitate teaming arrangements among submissions offering complementary capabilities to achieve desired effect.  Companies are also welcome to present their own teaming arrangements in their solution briefs.

[Zed_Noir]

So it looks like a DragonLab based on the COTS cargo Dragon capsule. Too bad SX have halted production of the cargo Dragon. Think the stock cargo Dragon meet all the required specifications needed except for the manipulator.

Alternatively the cargo Dreamchaser without the cargo pod can also meet the required specifications. Just more pricey.

[speedevil]

This is the sort of contract we need.
Minimum viable product up front, with nearly no implementation details.
As to Dragon, it perhaps gets rather easier initially if you don't need to reenter.

Making what seem reasonable assumptions, this would be a 2022 launch.
A wide variety of SS based and derived solutions may be in play if things go well.

[TrevorMonty]

No requirement for return to earth which means a mini Cygnus would be suitable. At  1m3 its more micro Cygnus.

Small enough that RL could consider biulding one on Photon bus and be able to launch with Electron.

NB human rating is future wishlist requirement not necessary for V1.0.

[brickmack]

IMO this is going to be won by Nanoracks. Per the recent commercial habitat study report, they're planning multiple test flights as secondary missions on Centaur III (would not be manrated but would support experiments, and would likely have mass and volume limits comparable to the minimum initial requirements of this solicitation), and then evolve to Centaur V with both unmanned and manned variants. This should be the cheapest option, could more readily support external payloads than something like Cygnus or Dragon (and with easier evolution to permanent manned habitats), and Nanoracks' described schedule fits.

[Danderman]

IMO this is going to be won by Nanoracks. Per the recent commercial habitat study report, they're planning multiple test flights as secondary missions on Centaur III (would not be manrated but would support experiments, and would likely have mass and volume limits comparable to the minimum initial requirements of this solicitation), and then evolve to Centaur V with both unmanned and manned variants. This should be the cheapest option, could more readily support external payloads than something like Cygnus or Dragon (and with easier evolution to permanent manned habitats), and Nanoracks' described schedule fits.

You are suggesting adaptation of a used Centaur to meet a requirement for a platform with a volume of 1 m3? Isn’t that a bit of overkill? Even the small Nanoracks airlock has a volume of 4m3.

[Asteroza]

One could argue with space based assembly/manufacturing, they are looking at a free flyer host for archinaut/spiderfab systems. So a large strongback like centaur provides ample room to experiment...

[brickmack]

You are suggesting adaptation of a used Centaur to meet a requirement for a platform with a volume of 1 m3? Isn’t that a bit of overkill? Even the small Nanoracks airlock has a volume of 4m3.

If they weren't interested in a crewed derivative, they wouldn't have listed it as an option. And a purpose-built 1 m^3 module will have little meaningful path to a human-sized station.

[Coastal Ron]

They want something human-rated in 2 years? It's going to have to be something that already exists, like a SpaceX Drago or a NGIS Cygnus.

[high road]

So it looks like a DragonLab based on the COTS cargo Dragon capsule. Too bad SX have halted production of the cargo Dragon. Think the stock cargo Dragon meet all the required specifications needed except for the manipulator.

Alternatively the cargo Dreamchaser without the cargo pod can also meet the required specifications. Just more pricey.

Is there anything the cargo dragon has that the crew dragon no longer has? Otherwise, just modify a crew dragon...

[kevinof]

They are only looking for an internal volume of 1 m3 - aren't Dragon and Cygnus a little big for this?

They want something human-rated in 2 years? It's going to have to be something that already exists, like a SpaceX Drago or a NGIS Cygnus.

[Yggdrasill]

Logically, it should come down to price and capabilities. The 1 m^3 is a *minimum* requirement - overdelivering on that requirement doesn't hurt. If then an existing vehicle can be modified to meet the other requirements, it may be possible to offer this at a similar or lower price than a less capable custom made solution.

I'm thinking a modified Dragon 2 without launch abort system and heat shield could be a workable solution. With the option of adding this back in at a later date. Though SpaceX may have more than enough on it's plate already.

[kevinof]

In that case why not a used cargo dragon? If NASA are going to move all launches to D2 then they will have some spare D1's.

[A_M_Swallow]

Also ask why the DOD wants the equipment to have a Common Berthing Module (CBM)? I doubt a military module will be attached to the civilian ISS. Although cargo carriers still come with CBM.

[brickmack]

I think a lot of people here are getting too hung up on specific details of the requirements. The key thing here is they're looking for a space station. Not an ISS addon, not a cargo vehicle

[Tywin]

I think a lot of people here are getting too hung up on specific details of the requirements. The key thing here is they're looking for a space station. Not an ISS addon, not a cargo vehicle

Why the DoD need a space station?

[whitelancer64]

I think a lot of people here are getting too hung up on specific details of the requirements. The key thing here is they're looking for a space station. Not an ISS addon, not a cargo vehicle

Why the DoD need a space station?

Possibly, something that was tested out on the X-37B worked super well.

[speedevil]

I think a lot of people here are getting too hung up on specific details of the requirements. The key thing here is they're looking for a space station. Not an ISS addon, not a cargo vehicle

Why the DoD need a space station?

If you are looking at the trajectory things seem headed - it is reasonably plausible that in the nearish future cost to launch will drop quite a lot, meaning the design options for DoD satellites change quite markedly.

This would be an excellent way to dip a toe in the water.

Preparing for the possibility of human-repairable/upgradable satellites for example.

[A_M_Swallow]

I think a lot of people here are getting too hung up on specific details of the requirements. The key thing here is they're looking for a space station. Not an ISS addon, not a cargo vehicle

The time to think through what is needed is before the contracts are granted. Requirement modifications are just the cost of a handful of people sitting in an office. Plus the cost of a typist producing a new document. Both the current state and what is expected to happen in the next 10 years needs including.

So does the military space station need a Common Berthing Module or a NASA Docking System (also know as IDSS)?
Can CBM be unberthed by remote control?

Are any of the ISS and LOP-G standards appropriate such as electrical voltage levels?

[TrevorMonty]

Initial requirement is unmanned robotic free flyer. Human rating can mean humans can visit, with all life support provided by their vehicle.