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NASA’s Information Technology Procurement Office (ITPO) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge commercial interest in providing "Launch Ascent Imagery" as a service for the Exploration Ground Systems Program.Driven by budget constraints and a streamlined launch
manifest—which currently maintains an approximate cadence of one launch per
year—NASA is looking to transition away from traditional, internally managed
methods. The agency is specifically investigating whether private industry can
offer a more efficient, service-based model to replace its current mobile
Kineto Tracking Mounts and internal ascent imagery systems.
According to the RFI released by the agency on Friday, the
objective is to modernize the capture of high-resolution optical data, which is
essential for flight test analysis and providing situational awareness to
launch control personnel.
The agency is seeking potential partners capable of
providing a comprehensive suite of multispectral imagery, including high-speed
visual, infrared, and multi-focal length data. The requirements emphasize the
need for remotely operable systems to ensure safe imagery acquisition near active launch sites.
The scope of the requested service encompasses four primary
technical requirements:
- Short-Range
Tracked Imagery: Equipment located within the Pad B perimeter
(approx. 1,200 feet from the vehicle) cover the period from first motion
through loss of view.
- Medium-Range
Tracked Imagery: Systems positioned roughly five miles from the
pad to capture launch events from ignition through loss of sight,
accounting for restricted access zones.
- Long-Range
Tracked Imagery: Capabilities situated between five and 40 miles
away, tasked with maintaining visual contact with the vehicle and
capturing critical events, such as Solid Rocket Booster separation.
- Launch
Abort System (LAS) Tracked Imagery: Highly specialized tracking
capable of responding instantly to an LAS activation, which involves rapid
separation events.
NASA officials noted that this process is purely for
planning purposes. The RFI aims to verify the feasibility of a commercial
service model while promoting competition within the aerospace support sector.
By moving to an "as-needed" service model, NASA
hopes to maintain high-quality diagnostic data while optimizing costs relative
to the current launch schedule.
Industry stakeholders have until April 24 to submit their
responses to the ITPO.
