REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR EARTH AND PLANETARY RESOURCE SCIENCE, EXPLORATION, ASSESSMENT AND EXTRACTION (EPRSEAE)

California

11/04/2024 05:09 PM EST

11/15/2024 08:00 PM EST

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION - NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION - NASA AMES RESEARCH CENTER

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO PROPOSALS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

NASA ARC is focused on conducting research to develop concepts of operation to detect and assess resources using new capabilities in the subsurface for off-world resource exploration. Information is requested in the below three specific areas.

1. Quantum Gravity Gradiometer

NASA seeks information on the demonstrated technical capabilities and size, weight and power metrics for quantum gravity gradiometers intended for mobile offworld applications, including surface, airborne or low orbit (10-20 km or less) platforms. In many of these settings we anticipate that there will be no need for vacuum generation, given low ambient vapor pressure in space or lunar settings. NASA is interested in applications of gravity gradiometers for subsurface exploration, including the detection and assessment of subsurface cavities, and rock body differentiation as expressed by contrasts in density. Our geophysical science objectives include:

1. Detect and assess lunar lava tubes for possible human habitation, from autonomous surface platforms or very low orbital (< 10-20 km) heights). Gravity anomalies are large (10’s of Eotvos) at this level.
2. Stationary missions that measure gravitational tidal behavior over long periods of time, including seismic signals correlating with impacts and internal earthquakes
3. Gravity gradiometer on Mars to assess subsurface evidence for activity of Martian volcanos like Olympus Mons.
4. Gravity gradiometer at the Martian poles to assess ice movement or volatile flow

• System volume: 0.25 m3 aiming for 0.07 m3 with removal of vacuum system for offworld applications
• System weight: 60kg, aiming for 20 kg with removal of vacuum system for offworld applications
• Power: 80 W aiming for 60 W
• Precision of absolute G, expressed as g/sqrt Hz: 1 X 10-8 g/sqrt Hz
• Precision of Eotvos: 1E/sqrt Hz
• Atom #/run: 10^6 or better
• Interrogation time: 5-300 ms
• Baseline: 0.3-0.5 m
• Measurement repetition rate:  1-2.5 Hz
• Capability to use proprietary software ruggedization techniques or other means to maintain measurement sensitivity under motion
• Scalar with intent to move to tensor
• Magnetometer integrated with gravity gradiometer system
• Magnetometer with 50 femtotesla/sqrt Hz or better

We ask that respondents provide an image of the system, and graphs showing data collection of G, Eotvos and magnetic data, with resulting estimates of sensitivity, and accuracy.

2. Satellite telemetered passive seismometer with onboard computation

NASA seeks information on the demonstrated technical capabilities and size, weight and power metrics for satellite telemetered passive seismometers intended for use in remote or offworld settings. NASA is interested in applications of passive seismometers for subsurface exploration, including the detection and assessment of subsurface cavities, and rock body differentiation as expressed by contrasts in seismic velocity. For passive seismometers, we seek information on the following metrics:

1. Size of sensor system, in cm (L x H x W)
2. Weight of system, including batteries, in kg
3. Power, in Watts for peak use and average
4. Where are components made, where is instrument assembled?
5. Duration of continuous operations, in days/hours?
6. How many components does the sensor have to produce vertical and horizontal response?
7. What is the internal natural frequency of the sensors?
8. What is the proven recording range in Hz?
9. What is the distortion of the senso at given angles?
10. What is the sensitivity of the sensor?
11. What is the ADC (analog to digital converter) resolution in bits?
12. Does an operator have a choice of sampling rates, and if so, what is the range?
13. What is the pre-amplifier gain in dB?
14. What is the total harmonic distortion?
15. Is there any onboard or edge data processing?  If so, what processor or microcontroller?
16. Data storage capacity
17. Is there data compression?
18. If so, what is the ratio, and what is the compression algorithm?
19. Is there demonstrated telemetry?
20. What is the data throughput?
21. What is telemetry carrier?
22. What is coverage of carrier?
23. Is the battery internal?
24. What is the battery recharge time?
25. How long does battery last under normal duty cycle?
26. What is the battery charging and operating temperature range?
27. Is there external wiring?
28. Does the node have an internal GPS system for timing and location
29. Is there an internal clock and if so, what is the timing accuracy in microseconds when GPS is not available?
30. What is the internal clock drift, at what nominal temperature?
31. What is the operating temperature range of the whole system in o C?
32. What is the IP standard for the enclosure for dust (e.g., IP67), and to what particle size in microns?
33. Are there any siting requirements?
34. How is the sensor coupled to the ground?
35. Is there proof of performance in rugged field conditions?

• Does performance remain under field portage?
• After minor bumps or drops?
• During launch (what is TRL and has it been tested to the General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS) for payloads on small launch vehicles?

1. Does the system or its components have a design for offworld applications, or any Space heritage?
2. Does the system have real-time capability?
3. Is the system suitable for different concepts of operation? Describe if so.
4. Are there any additional compact sensor type sin designs? If so, what are they?
5. Is that design manifested on any offworld missions?

We ask that respondents provide an image of the system, and graphs showing data collection of waveforms, with resulting estimates of precision, and accuracy.

3. Concepts of Operation for Resource Detection, Assessment and Extraction

NASA seeks information on Concepts of Operation for subsurface resource detection, assessment and extraction. We are interested in the workflow that describes the discovery of subsurface resources, the assessment of those resources in 3-dimensions, and the extraction, processing and transport of those resources. Our intent is to understand the sensors, technology and infrastructure required to supply resources in sufficient detail that we can anticipate shortfalls for offworld systems as a function of resource type and host environment. We seek specific information on the following metrics for 3-5 different ore deposit environments:

1. Sensors and platforms used to detect resource (how was resource found)
2. Sensors and technology used to assess resource in 3-dimensions (how was Mineral Resource Model developed)
3. Pre-excavation treatments, if any
4. Excavation technology (type of drilling, blasting or excavation)
5. Loading technology
6. Raw ore transport chain
7. Processing workflow to ore
8. Transport technology to furnace

For each of these elements, we are seeking descriptions and representative pictures of innovations that have reduced energy use, or increased safety, including:

1. Description of new sensor technologies deployed at scale for assessment of resources
2. Description of new sensor technologies deployed at scale for infrastructure operations and maintenance
3. Description of autonomy systems deployed at scale 

For ore deposit environments, we are seeking at least 3 different types from:

1. Resources hosted in granular media (e.g., Rare Earth Elements from heavy sand deposits)
2. Resources hosted as seams, veins or other small-scale structures within hard-rock environments (e.g., copper porphyry deposits)
3. Resources concentrated in massive bodies (e.g., Banded Iron Formations, evaporites or Bauxite deposits)
4. Resources hosted in structure-bound settings (e.g., Iron sulfide deposits in komatiites, Layered Mafic Intrusions)
5. Resources disseminated in massive bodies (e.g., Lithium or pure quartz in pegmatites)

Requested Content for RFI Responses

Interested parties are requested to respond to this notice with an Information package, due no later than November 15, 2024, that shall be submitted via arc-paav-2024-rfi@mail.nasa.gov. Any email responses should include “EPRSEAE -2024-RFI” in the subject title. Any proprietary information must be clearly marked. Submissions will be accepted only from United States companies.

This is a request for information only. It is not a procurement commitment to procure services, or a request for proposals. FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.215-3 ) is hereby incorporated. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by NASA to form a binding agreement or contract. NASA is under no obligation to issue a solicitation or to enter into any agreement or award any contract based on this RFI. NASA will not pay for any information solicited. No evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on www.SAM.gov. Interested firms are responsible for monitoring these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.