Request for Information on Transportation to Low Lunar Orbit for Small Satellite
April 2, 2024
The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (hereinafter referred to as "NICT") will be conducting a Request for Information (RFI) regarding transportation means to deploy a small satellite into low lunar orbit being developed by the ongoing " Lunar Terahertz Surveyor for Kilometer-scale Mapping” project entrusted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan.
1. Background & Objective
NICT is running the research and development of the small satellite equipped with terahertz wave sensors as the leading research agency of the project, "Lunar Terahertz Surveyor for Kilometer-scale Mapping" entrusted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan. The small satellite is planned to be deployed into low lunar orbit after completion, where it will observe radiation from the lunar surface.
NICT will be conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to gather information from organizations that can provide a transportation vehicle or service (i.e., orbiter, lander, or any relevant vehicle) for the purpose of transporting and deploying the small satellite into lunar orbit.
2. RFI Summary
Guidelines
- This RFI is subject for both domestic and overseas organizations capable of providing means of transportation for the small satellite into its orbit.
- This RFI is targeting organizations that can provide their own means for deploying the small satellite into low lunar orbit. Therefore, organizations that do not currently possess the actual capability of providing transportation services, such as intermediaries/agents, or those offering conceptual planning and proposals, as well as organizations that are still in the early stages of considering or launching their transportation services, are not eligible for this opportunity.
- Please submit your response via email to the contact information provided by the date specified below. The response should include the response format and any necessary attachments or supporting documents.
- After receiving your RFI response, NICT may contact you for further inquiries or clarifications regarding the information you have provided.
Mission Overview
- Using the small satellite with a mass of 100kg or less, scientific observations will be conducted in an orbit at an altitude of 80-120km. For further details, please refer to Attachment 1 (Mission Overview).
Requested Information
- NICT will be collecting information regarding the basic information of the providing organizations, the description of transportation vehicles/services offered, and estimated costs. For further details, please refer to Attachment 2 (Items Requested for Information and Response Format).
3. Due Date
April 30th, 2024
4. Next Step
Based on the RFI, NICT will compare the vehicles/services available in the market and identify potential candidates that would offer feasible and financially reasonable means for the mission. These selected candidates will be invited to participate in a more detailed Request for Proposal (RFP). Through the RFP, we will evaluate and select a partner who meet the selection criteria for our launch and observation mission.
5. Handling of Provided Information
Please note that the information provided may be shared internally within NICT and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan. The information will be used solely for collecting market information and will not be disclosed to any third parties without provider's prior consent. NICT will not return the information provided in the response.
By submitting a response to the RFI, the providing organizations acknowledge and agree to the handling of their provided information as described above.
Regarding the mission overview described in Attachment 1, NICT kindly requests that you do not disclose it to any third parties without our prior consent.
Attachment 1 (Mission Overview)
| Mission Information | Objective | Passive observation of moon surface radiation |
| Altitude | 80-120km | |
| Orbit inclination | Approximately 90 degrees | |
| On orbit mission life | More than 1 year of observation | |
| Timeframe from ground launch to orbital insertion | Within 3 months | |
| Expected Launch Date | 2026年April - December | |
| Satellite Information | Mass | Below 100kg |
| Dimensions | L: within 750mm D: within 750mm H: within 980mm |
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Satellite allowable envelope |
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| Rigidity | Natural Frequency above 60Hz | |
| Separation Device | Mated via Motorized Lightband MKII 15 inch (MLB 15.000-24) by RocketLab (procured and attached on satellite) | |
| Power Interface | The satellite is powered-off while it is attached to the transporter. However, it requires at least one power supply from the transporter side, through the MKII-equipped separation connector, for heating. The nominal voltage should be 28V or higher, with a minimum power output of 50W. | |
| Communication Interface | N/A (The communication interface to a transporter will not be used as the satellite will not communicate to a ground station including HK data until separation) | |
| Vibration Conditions | Random Vibration: GSFC-STD-7000, General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS) for GSFC Flight Programs and Projects, Section 2.4.2.5a must be met Quasi-static acceleration: below 10.0G per each axis Sinusoidal vibration:GSFC-STD-7000, General Environmental Verification Standard (GEVS) for GSFC Flight Programs and Projects, Section 2.4.3.1b must be met |
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Attachment 2 (Items Requested for Information and Response Format). * All items are mandatory.
Please adjust the height accordingly.
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Attachment 2[26.6KB]
| Organization Name | |
| Locations | |
| Contact Person (Name, Role, Email Address) | |
| Description of Transport Vehicle/Service | |
| Applicability to the mission / Additional conditions to be applicable to the mission | |
| Timeframe from ground launch to orbital insertion | |
| Country of vehicle manufactured /service provided | |
| Launch rocket and country it is launched | |
| Timing(month) available for a launch from April to December 2024 /slot availability, and other offering options | |
| Contract Due | |
| Approximate cost estimate per 1 kg (cost per kg for orbit insertion) | |
| Assumptions of estimate | |
| Approximate total mission cost and its structure (on-site integration cost, user support cost, launch cost, applicable taxes, etc.) | |
| Other available support services, etc. | |
| Past achievements on lunar transportation/lunar mission | |
| Any other supporting materials | Please submit brochure or any other reference materials detailing corporate and vehicle/service if they have been prepared. |
Contact
The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
Terahertz Technology Research Center
Kazutoshi Sagi: sagi
nict.go.jp
nict.go.jpYasuko Kasai: ykasainict.go.jp
nict.go.jp