[amsat-bb] NASA Accepting CubeSat Proposals

[Clint Bradford]

August 05, 2011

Joshua Buck 
Headquarters, Washington                                         
202-358-1100 
jbuck at nasa.gov 
RELEASE: 11-256

NASA ANNOUNCES NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR CUBESAT SPACE MISSIONS

WASHINGTON -- NASA is seeking proposals for small satellite payloads 
to fly on rockets planned to launch between 2012 and 2014. These 
miniature spacecraft, known as CubeSats, could be auxiliary payload 
on previously planned missions. 

CubeSats are a class of research spacecraft called nanosatellites. The 
cube-shaped satellites are approximately four inches long, have a 
volume of about one quart and weigh less than three pounds. 

Proposed CubeSat investigations must be consistent with NASA's 
Strategic Plan and the Education Strategic Coordination Framework. 
The research should address aspects of science, exploration, 
technology development, education or operations. 

Applicants must submit proposals electronically by 4:30 p.m. EST on 
Nov. 14. NASA will select the payloads by Jan. 30, 2012. Selection 
does not guarantee a launch opportunity. The selected spacecraft will 
be eligible for flight after final negotiations when a launch 
opportunity arises. NASA will not provide funding for the development 
of the small satellites. 

NASA recently announced the results from the second round of the 
CubeSat Launch Initiative. From the first two launch initiatives, 32 
payloads made the short-list for launch opportunities in 2011 and 
2012. They are eligible for launch pending an appropriate opportunity 
and final negotiations. The satellites come from 18 states: Alabama, 
Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, 
Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New 
Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Virginia. 

For additional information about NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative 
program, visit: 

http://go.nasa.gov/puk9K2 

http://go.nasa.gov/CubeSatOp 

For more information about NASA's Strategic Plan, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/budget 

For more information about NASA's Education Strategic Coordination 
Framework, visit: 

http://go.nasa.gov/nRCvjH 

	
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Clint Bradford
clintbradford at mac.com