HyperSTEP Hot Structure RFI
ID: 80JSC025RSTEPType: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATIONNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATIONNASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTERHOUSTON, TX, 77058, USA

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

PSC

SPACE R&D SERVICES; SPACE FLIGHT, RESEARCH AND SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES; EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (AR13)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/5d9dd73eaaa4464083a46a5844310b96/view
Timeline
    Description

    NASA's Johnson Space Center is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for the HyperSTEP Vehicle, a hypersonic flight test bed intended for suborbital and orbital technology testing, particularly for applications related to Mars human landings and cargo return from Low-Earth Orbit. The RFI seeks input on the development of a hot structure version of the vehicle, which requires advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme heating, including carbon/silicon carbide and metallic alloys, while targeting production costs of less than $1 million for single-use sets. This initiative is crucial for advancing sustainable and reliable hypersonic vehicles, with fabrication processes expected to begin in Fall 2025 and flight tests planned for 2027. Interested parties can reach out to Stephen Noethen at stephen.d.noethen@nasa.gov or call 346-528-7684 for further details.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Stephen Noethen
    (346) 528-7684
    stephen.d.noethen@nasa.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    RFI-HyperSTEP-HotStructure-2-3-2025 (002).pdf
    NASA is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the HyperSTEP Vehicle, a hypersonic flight test bed designed for suborbital and orbital technology testing, with applications for Mars human landings and cargo return from Low-Earth Orbit. The project requires a hot structure version (Version 2) of the vehicle, where the structural aeroshell withstands extreme heating. Key materials sought for this hot structure include carbon/silicon carbide, metallic alloys, and other advanced systems. The RFI aims to identify potential fabrication sources, material systems, production costs (targeting less than $1M for single-use sets), and fabrication timelines. Specific areas for input include vehicle design feedback, recommended materials, manufacturing processes, heat flux capabilities, and non-destructive evaluation techniques. NASA plans to initiate the fabrication process in Fall 2025, with flight tests anticipated in 2027, relying on responses to inform future solicitations for hot structure components. The document serves to gather industry insights to support the development of sustainable and reliable hypersonic vehicles.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    HyperSTEP Hot Structure RFI
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