ISSUE: 60 | February 2023

In This Issue

News

࡟ NASA Seeks Comment on Draft Solicitation for Commercial Flights for Space Technology

Community of Practice

࡟ Join Us in Person at the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference

Opportunities

࡟ ISS National Lab Research Announcement (NLRA) – In-Space Production Applications: 

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

Resources

࡟ NASA Releases State-of-the-Art Small Spacecraft Technology Report

࡟ Webinar Recording: Dissecting the 2023 Phase I SBIR/STTR Solicitations

Events

࡟ Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference: Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 2023

࡟ Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC): Mar. 13-17, 2023

࡟ The Workshop on Semiconductor Manufacturing in the Space Domain: Mar. 27-28, 2023

Enjoy!

The Flight Opportunities team
News

NASA Seeks Comment on Draft Solicitation for Commercial Flights for 

Space Technology

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center invites review and comment on the draft of its Suborbital/

Hosted Orbital Flight and Payload Integration Services 4 solicitation. The new solicitation will 

replace contracts for existing services and seeks to add new capabilities – including hosting payloads 

in orbit and flying NASA researchers on suborbital flights – which will expand opportunities for a wider 

range of commercial companies to participate. 

The purpose of this solicitation is to acquire space on commercial flights for space technology 

payloads, along with payload integration services. The objective is to fly these payloads aboard 

platforms that fly at high altitudes, offer reduced gravity, or provide other relevant environments 

required to test the technologies and advance their readiness for use in future space missions. In 

addition to hosting payloads, contractors may provide space for NASA personnel to fly as researchers 

aboard those suborbital platforms capable of supporting human flight. 

Interested respondents can view the full draft solicitation online. Potential offerors are encouraged 

to comment on all aspects of the draft solicitation, including the requirements, schedules, proposal 

instructions, and evaluation approaches, as well as any other programmatic elements associated with 

performance of the work. 

Comments are due no later than 2:00 pm PST on March 11, 2023.

View and respond to the draft solicitation online.

Read the NASA announcement for additional information.

Credit: University of Central Florida
Community of Practice

Join Flight Opportunities for two in-person conversations!

Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC)

March 1, 2023 | Broomfield, Colorado

Transition Paths: Using Commercial Flight Tests to Address Strategic NASA Technology 

Priorities

Understanding the strategic priorities of funding organizations like NASA helps researchers and 

industry stakeholders ensure their work has practical applications and increases their chance of 

successful engagement. On Tuesday, February 28 at 1:30 pm MST, this Flight Opportunities panel 

will provide a variety of perspectives from NASA personnel on how researchers can identify potential 

focus areas for investigations and technology development. Presenters will also highlight opportunities 

for infusion of these innovations into NASA and commercial space exploration missions.

Leveraging the Flight Opportunities Community to Maximize Flight Test Impact

In lieu of our March virtual webinar, Flight Opportunities will host an in-person Community of Practice 

session at NSRC on Wednesday, March 1 at 10:30 am MST. Join this panel of experienced Flight 

Opportunities–supported researchers to learn best practices for flight testing space technologies and 

working with commercial providers. Topics covered will include leveraging the experience of fellow 

researchers, mentorship, flight test rehearsals, managing onsite activities with flight providers, and 

leveraging flight tests to facilitate infusion of a technology into other missions or projects. 

Miss the February webinar? Check out this month’s NASA TechFlights: Best Practices for 

Proposing, along with other past Community of Practice webinars, on the Flight Opportunities 

website. Virtual sessions typically occur the first Wednesday of every month at 10 am PST/1 pm EST.

Opportunities

Now Open

ISS National Lab Research Announcement (NLRA)

In-Space Production Applications: Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

The purpose of this NLRA is to solicit proposals for applied research and development seeking to 

demonstrate space-based manufacturing and production activities in microgravity. Flight projects 

selected via this research announcement may be awarded funding to support development and mission 

integration and operations for projects that will be implemented on the International Space Station.

Research concepts are desired for which space-based testing can uniquely enable technical solutions 

to known science and engineering challenges and the creation of new products and business 

opportunities. The objective is to use the unique environment of the space station to develop, test, or 

mature products and processes that have a demonstrated potential to produce near-term, positive direct 

or indirect economic impact.

Learn more about this opportunity.

Concept Summaries Due (Step 1): April 5, 2023

Full Proposals Due (Step 2 – by invitation): June 19, 2023
Resources

NASA Releases State-of-the-Art Small Spacecraft Technology Report

NASA’s Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute has released the 2022 State-of-the-Art Small 

Spacecraft Technology report. The report contains an overview of current state-of-the-art SmallSat 

technologies and their development status as discussed in open literature. It is not intended to be 

an exhaustive representation of all that is available on a particular topic. Commonly used sources 

for public data include manufacturer datasheets, press releases, conference papers, journal papers, 

public filings with government agencies, and news articles. Readers are highly encouraged to reach 

out to companies for further information regarding the performance and maturity of the described 

technology. Access the complete report here.

Webinar: Dissecting the 2023 Phase I SBIR/STTR Solicitations

NASA’s 2023 SBIR and STTR Phase I Solicitations are now open. These programs allow U.S. 

companies with fewer than 500 employees to pursue their innovative R&D while answering the 

federal government’s interests. NASA experts conducted a webinar on January 17, 2023, where they 

provided valuable insights on proposal preparation. They explained the organization and structure of 

the solicitation, highlighted best practices and common pitfalls, and walked through the submission 

process. You can view the webinar recording here. The application period closes on March 13, 

2023.

Events

Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC)

February 27-March 1, 2023

Broomfield, Colorado

NSRC gathers the suborbital space research and education communities, including suborbital 

researchers, educators, flight providers, spaceport operators, and government officials. NSRC 

2023 will provide an in-depth forum for attendees to discuss funding, new research, and education 

missions aboard the many suborbital flight vehicles in operation and under development as well as 

new results from recent suborbital missions. Flight Opportunities personnel will be in attendance and 

will host sessions that highlight best practices 

for suborbital flight testing. The program 

encourages all current and prospective 

suborbital researchers to attend. 

We’re also setting aside blocks of time to 

answer questions about Flight Opportunities 

during the conference. Sign up for a one-on-one 

appointment with a NASA Flight Opportunities 

team member. Schedule an appointment 

online or at the booth. 

Visit the NSRC online schedule and don’t miss 

the Flight Opportunities sessions!
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC)

March 13-17, 2023

The Woodlands, Texas/Virtual

A joint effort between NASA and the Lunar and Planetary Institute, LPSC serves as a focal point for 

lunar and planetary research science. Planetary scientists and students will present their findings 

in oral and poster presentations that provide new insights and a better understanding of the solar 

system. Join Flight Opportunities in the poster session on Tuesday, March 14 from 6:30-8:30 pm CDT 

to learn how suborbital flight testing advances science and technologies for planetary exploration, 

the program’s role in advancing lunar and planetary research, and how to get started with Flight 

Opportunities.

The Workshop on Semiconductor Manufacturing in the Space Domain

March 27-28, 2023

Stanford, California

The Workshop on Semiconductor Manufacturing in the Space Domain brings together stakeholders 

from the semiconductor industry, commercial space station entities, U.S. government agencies, and 

academic communities to roadmap semiconductor manufacturing in low-Earth orbit (LEO) for the 

new space economy. This workshop aims to identify the benefits and challenges of semiconductor 

manufacturing in microgravity through a variety of formats such as oral presentations, poster sessions, 

and panel discussions. The multidisciplinary blend of subject matter experts provides a unique forum 

to bridge the gaps necessary to advance semiconductor commercial endeavors in LEO.

Events (cont)

Have ideas or feedback for the Flight Opportunities newsletter? 

Drop us a line at: 

NASA-FlightOpportunities@mail.nasa.gov

STAY CONNECTED: 

NASA Flight Opportunities Program

Flight Opportunities is part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.

Visit our Web site

Subscribe