Astrobee Free-flying Robotics System Operations and Sustaining Engineering Unfunded Space Act Agreement to Transfer System Responsibility to Commercial Provider Announcement for Partnership Proposals

The purpose of this amendment is to post the Astrobee Pre-proposal Conference charts that will presented Friday February 21, 2025 at 10:00am.

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NASA recognizes that a robust and competitive low-Earth orbit (LEO) economy is vital to continued progress in space. To support NASA's Strategic Goals and Objective 2.2 to “Develop a human spaceflight economy enabled by a commercial market," NASA is building and executing a targeted strategy for an “economy of space commerce” in LEO that is sustainable, cost-effective, and safe. The current strategy builds on and applies the lessons learned from over a decade of work and experiences with commercial companies. This activity is part of a continuing effort to establish a more affordable and sustainable future for human spaceflight in LEO and beyond.

This Announcement for Partnership Proposals (AFPP) solicits proposals for the operation, sustaining engineering, and utilization of the Astrobee free-flying robotic system aboard the ISS. These robots provide a capability supporting researchers with technology demonstrations, scientific research, and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities in the unique environment of space. The objective of this initiative is to transition operations and sustaining engineering of this Astrobee robotic technology to a non-NASA entity to manage the system and to continue advancement in private sector utilization of this unique capability for the future development of commercial capabilities in space.

The Astrobee system consists of three cubed-shaped robots, software, spares, and a docking station used for recharging. The robots use electric fans as a propulsion system that allows them to fly freely through the microgravity environment of the station. Cameras and sensors help them to “see” and navigate their surroundings. The robots also carry a perching arm that allows them to grasp station handrails in order to conserve energy or to grab and hold items.

Working autonomously or via remote control by astronauts, flight controllers, or researchers on the ground, the robots are designed to complete tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments conducted by astronauts with their built-in cameras, or working together to move cargo throughout the station. In addition, the system serves as a research platform that can be outfitted and programmed to carry out experiments in microgravity – helping to learn more about how robotics can benefit astronauts in space.

The due date for proposal submission is March 21, 2025 at 1:00 pm Central Time. See the "Announcement for Proposals" Solicitation in the Attachments/Links section of this notice.

Pre-Proposal Conference:

NASA will host a Pre-proposal Conference to answer industry questions related to this solicitation on February 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central Time and will be held virtually via a Microsoft (MS) Teams link. The MS Teams link will be issued the day before to those that RSVP. To confirm attendance, please have one company representative RSVP via email with the subject line “RSVP ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov no later than February 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM Central Time. Attendance information should include your company name, name/representative, and point of contact information. Your company representative will be responsible for forwarding the MS Teams link to company participants.

Questions and Answers:

Please submit any questions regarding this Announcement for Proposals in an email with the subject line “Q&A ASTROBEE” to jsc-astrobee@mail.nasa.gov and answers will be addressed at the Pre-proposal Conference. Please continue to submit your questions throughout the solicitation period. Question and Answers will be posted via sam.gov.