Melissa Mathews/Beth Dickey
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1272/2087
Kim Newton
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
RELEASE: 07-134
NASA ISSUES PROPOSAL REQUEST FOR ARES I AVIONICS UNIT
WASHINGTON - NASA has issued a request for proposal for key guidance,
navigation and control hardware for the new Ares I crew launch
vehicle. The upper stage instrument unit avionics will be used during
the Ares I ascent.
Proposals are due no later than 2 p.m. EDT July 30, with a selection
expected in November. The contract will be awarded through a full and
open competition.
The avionics unit will be mounted on the Ares I upper stage. It will
provide guidance, navigation and control for the entire launch
vehicle as it transports the Orion crew exploration vehicle to low
Earth orbit.
The request for proposal calls for the selected contractor to partner
with the NASA design team to provide engineering support during the
design phase. It also specifies that the contractor will produce
avionics for the development and flight program and will provide
sustained engineering support for the upper stage avionics system
through 2016.
The instrument unit is part of the Ares I upper stage, which includes
a separately procured upper stage engine. The first stage will
consist of a single reusable solid rocket booster and motor, similar
to those used on the space shuttle, with a fifth integrated motor
segment. The instrument unit with avionics installed will be mounted
on the Ares I at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana. The
Ares I launch vehicle design and development is managed by NASA's
Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
For more information about the request for proposal, visit:
http://www.exploration.nasa.gov
For more information about NASA's Ares Projects, visit:
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