Artemis IV Alternate Communication System
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to identify U.S. and international commercial providers capable of supplying an Alternate Communication System for the Artemis IV mission. This system will augment the Orion crew vehicle's primary communication during operations in lunar orbit, enabling robust, high-rate data return. Responses are due July 8, 2026.
Scope of Work
NASA seeks innovative, secondary communications capabilities to provide continuous, high-bandwidth transmission of mission data in the dynamic lunar environment. The system should support the Artemis IV mission, which involves Orion traveling to lunar orbit for rendezvous with the Human Landing System (HLS). Key performance objectives include:
- Near continuous communication: Goal of > 75%.
- Downlink: > 12 Mbps (goal: 20-50 Mbps).
- Uplink: > 500 kbps (desired for Class 2 CFDP).
- Antenna: Broad field of regard or steerable antenna/aperture due to Orion's attitude constraints.
Orion Vehicle Integration is a significant consideration given the short timeline. Desired parameters include:
- Data/Hardware Control Interface: Ethernet or WiFi.
- Power Interface: 120 VDC (preferred) or 28 VDC, < 150W max (goal).
- Mass: < 50kg (goal).
- Max Volume: 32” x 20” x 18” (goal).
Both internally configured (stowed and set up by crew) and externally mounted (under Service Module fairing) implementations will be considered. Engineering hardware delivery for external mounting is needed by December 2026, flight hardware by March 2027. For internal configuration, flight hardware is needed by Fall 2027. End-to-end data flow testing prior to launch is essential.
Requested Information
Respondents should provide detailed information on existing or planned capabilities, including:
- System Overview (description, terminal parameters, space-relay architecture).
- End-to-End details (ground interfaces, cloud services, APIs, MCC interfaces).
- Quantitative Link and Reliability Analysis (link budgets, data rates, coverage, network availability).
- Expected Delivery, Integration, and Test Schedule (engineering/flight unit delivery, integration/validation steps).
- Cost (Rough Order of Magnitude for FY26, FY27, FY28).
- Additional insights not covered.
Submission Details
- A virtual Q&A session will be held on June 26, 2026. Requests to join must be submitted by 5:00 PM CT on June 25, 2026, to philip.e.bristol@nasa.gov.
- Capability Statements must be submitted electronically via email to scott.stephens@nasa.gov, philip.e.bristol@nasa.gov, and kenton.r.fisher@nasa.gov by 4:00 PM CT on July 8, 2026. The email subject line must be "Artemis IV ALT COMM RFI Response." Include company and contact information on the cover page.
Important Notes
This RFI is for information-gathering and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to procure services. NASA will not publicly release company-specific data. While proprietary information can be marked, open sharing with the NASA stakeholder community is encouraged. No corresponding solicitation exists at this time.