Request for Information - Near Earth Orbit Network Series-1 Project Flight Elements
ID: RFI-NEON-S1-2025Type: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATIONNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATIONNASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTERGREENBELT, MD, 20771, USA

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/e113c76c5c0a4b59a80a284373fcd4a4/view
Timeline
    Description

    NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is seeking information on spacecraft concepts for the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) Series-1 Project, aimed at enhancing NOAA's next-generation low Earth orbit environmental monitoring satellite architecture. The objective of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather industry insights on spacecraft development strategies for the initial four missions, which will utilize single-instrument satellites to improve environmental monitoring capabilities critical for weather forecasting and predictive modeling. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support over two dozen missions by 2050, leveraging commercial partnerships and innovative technologies to enhance NOAA's observational capabilities. Interested parties should submit their responses referencing RFI-NEON-S1-2025 by February 12, 2025, and can direct inquiries to Travis Hagelberg at travis.m.hagelberg@nasa.gov or call 240-684-0820.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Travis Hagelberg
    (240) 684-0820
    travis.m.hagelberg@nasa.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    NEON Program Overview.pdf
    The NEON Program, overseen by the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Programs Division and aligned with the Department of Commerce (DoC) and NOAA strategic goals, focuses on enhancing climate, weather, and environmental observations from LEO. It supports U.S. innovation and global competitiveness while building a climate-ready nation through innovative space-based observation technologies. The program emphasizes commercial partnerships and new technologies to improve products like numerical weather prediction, fire and flood models, and atmospheric chemistry observations. Key initiatives include the QuickSounder project, which aims to demonstrate operational observations using new space technologies by launching a small microwave sounding satellite by April 2026. Future plans encompass the Series-1 and Series-2 projects, involving blocks of small satellites designed to provide vital microwave sounding observations over the next two decades. These projects capitalize on commercial space capabilities to enhance NOAA’s data acquisition and operational efficiency. By evolving its observational architecture and leveraging commercial investment, NEON aims to expand its operational capabilities, ensuring continuous weather data coverage critical for a Weather-Ready Nation. The overall objective is to maintain and enhance NOAA’s mission while adapting to new technological advances and partnerships in the satellite observation field.
    Series-1 Flight Elements RFI.pdf
    The NEON Series-1 Project Flight Elements RFI seeks information on spacecraft concepts for NOAA's next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) environmental monitoring satellite program, known as the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON). The objective is to gather input on development strategies for the initial four missions, which will utilize single-instrument satellites to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities essential for weather forecasting and predictive modeling. The RFI outlines mission requirements, including orbit parameters, operational lifetime, launch schedules, and technical specifications for the Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications (SMBA) instruments. The government is considering a comprehensive contract that could include spacecraft development, satellite integration, mission operations, and launch services. The document invites industry feedback on these strategies and emphasizes the importance of contractor involvement in the development and integration process to mitigate risks. Interested parties are encouraged to provide detailed responses addressing various technical and programmatic aspects detailed in the RFI. The responses will inform the decision-making process for the NEON program, which aims to ultimately support over two dozen missions by 2050, enhancing the nation’s environmental monitoring capabilities.
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