[sci.space] NASA Goddard Center requests commercial launch services proposals

yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (03/11/89)

Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                     March 9, 1989

Jim Elliott
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.


RELEASE:  89-29

NASA GODDARD CENTER REQUESTS COMMERCIAL LAUNCH SERVICES PROPOSALS


     NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., has 
requested proposals from commercial sources to launch three 
identified satellites and options for NASA to order up to 12 
additional launches, if exercised, over the next 5 years. 

     The three identified satellites for which launch services 
would be be procurred under the request for proposals (RFP) are 
the Wind, Geotail and Polar satellites of the International Solar 
Terrestrial Physics Projects.  Their launches are scheduled in 
1992 and 1993.

     The RFP calls for 5 of the 15 launches to be high 
inclination (polar) launches and the other 10 to be low 
inclination (equatorial).  Polar launches normally are conducted 
from the West Coast and equatorial from the East Coast.

     Under the agreement, the contractor would furnish all 
supplies, including the launch vehicle, facilities, personnel, 
and services necessary to design, produce, test, integrate and 
launch the missions into the required orbit.

     The Orbital Launch Systems Project Office at Goddard will 
oversee the contractor activities provided under this contract.  
Proposals from commercial interests are to be submitted by May 8.