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 issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to U.S. and international commercial providers for an Artemis IV Alternate Communication System. This RFI seeks innovative, secondary communications capabilities to enable robust, high-rate data return from the Orion crew vehicle during operations in lunar orbit. Responses are due July 8, 2026.
Scope of Work
NASA's Artemis Program Office is interested in identifying mature services and user terminals that can augment Orion's primary communication system for the Artemis IV mission, which is projected to launch no later than March 2028. The system must provide near-continuous communication (goal: >75%) with a return link of at least 12 Mbps (goal: 20-50Mbps downlink, >500 kbps uplink). Key performance objectives include a broad field of regard or steerable antenna/aperture due to Orion's attitude constraints.
Orion Vehicle Integration Parameters:
- Data/Control Interface: Ethernet or WiFi
- Power: 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 implementations will be considered. Ease of integration is a significant consideration given the short timeline.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (Request for Information)
- Set-Aside: None specified (open to U.S. and international commercial providers)
- Response Due: July 8, 2026, at 4:00 pm CT
- Published: June 3, 2026
- Q&A Session: June 26, 2026 (requests to join by June 25, 2026, 5pm CT)
- Hardware Delivery (Externally Mounted): Engineering by December 2026, Flight by March 2027
- Hardware Delivery (Internally Configured): Flight by Fall 2027
Submission & Evaluation
Respondents are invited to submit end-to-end system concepts, including a system overview, terminal parameters, space-relay architecture, link and reliability analysis, expected delivery/integration/test schedule, and a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost for FY26-FY28. Capability statements should be submitted electronically to scott.stephens@nasa.gov and philip.e.bristol@nasa.gov with the subject line "Artemis IV ALT COMM RFI Response."
Additional Notes
This RFI is for information-gathering and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment by NASA. NASA will not publicly release company-specific data or estimates, and responses can be marked proprietary or confidential.