Jan. 05, 2009

Grey Hautalouma/Ashley Edwards
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0668/1756
grey.hautaluoma-1{at}nasa.gov, ashley.edwards-1{at}nasa.gov

June Malone
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034
june.e.malone{at}nasa.gov

RELEASE: 09-002

NASA SEEKS CONCEPT PROPOSALS FOR ARES V HEAVY LIFT ROCKET

WASHINGTON -- On Monday, Jan. 5, NASA issued a request for proposal
for the Ares V rocket that will perform heavy lift and cargo
functions as part of the next generation of spacecraft that will
return humans to the moon. The request is for Phase I concept
definition and requirements development for the Ares V rocket.
Proposals are due to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in
Huntsville, Ala., no later than 1 p.m. CDT on Feb. 9.

The request for proposal defines the procurement approach for Phase I
of the Ares V acquisition. The contract work will include developing
products to enable NASA to successfully complete the system
requirements review and system definition review, critical milestones
in the development of the rocket. Completion of the system definition
review will verify the design concept and demonstrate mission
objectives can be met.

The solicitation includes five separate work packages available for
bid. Work packages one through four include the payload shroud that
will protect the Altair lunar lander during launch, the Earth
Departure Stage, the core stage, and avionics and software. The
products for these work packages include assessing point of departure
architecture, assessing risks and opportunities, trade studies and
analysis, assessment of NASA requirements and a final report. The
fifth work package includes a first stage concept for an upgraded
solid rocket fueled booster.

Marshall will manage the contracts, which will be awarded through a
full and open competition. The selections will be made in the spring
of 2009. The period of performance for each contract is 18 months
with two, one-year options.

For more information about the request for proposal, visit:

http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/sol.cgi?acqid=131145#Draft%20Document

For information about NASA's Ares rockets, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ares

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