RETURN (Returning ExoaTmospheric Unique Research is Novel)

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Space Technology; Advanced Materials; Sustainment & Logistics The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: This topic seeks to perform concept exploration, prototype development, sub-scale experiments, test and evaluation of reusable technology that enables .5-10 tons of containerized cargo from exoatmospheric altitudes surviving earth re-entry and ejection of payloads before the container survives terrestrial landing. DESCRIPTION: Launch vehicles are limited in down-mass capacity during earth re-entry which limits the overall mass of delivered payloads. The commercial industry and NASA have matured very small materiel return capsules (100 grams 35kg). AFRL seeks technologies which will support payload re-entry independent of the launch vehicle after the launch vehicle has reached the desired orbit for separation. Technology includes the capability to decelerate the large containers to survive re-entry and eject payloads to desired location(s) with payloads remaining intact and the cargo container survives landing. The goal of this effort is to explore key tech challenges associated with a modular downmass capability that can affordably deliver payloads, creating a DoD capability in the .5 10 tons class size. The key element for this solicitation is that the offeror must provide a viable design for the thermal protection system that can downmass this class of payload through reentry. Payload capacity below the .5 ton class equivalent are not of interest for this solicitation. In all cases, DoD seeks to ship existing material without modification. Designs cannot require DOD hardware to be specialized in order to use the rocket transport mode. The main deliverables will be sub-scale experiments, prototypes, tests, analysis, and demonstrations that advance the operational imperatives. PHASE I: This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II. Therefore, a Phase I award is not required. The offeror is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct to Phase II proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a Phase I-type effort, including a feasibility study. This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential. It must have validated the product-market fit between the proposed solution and a potential AF stakeholder. The offeror should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the AF customer. Relevant areas of demonstrated experience and success include: M&S, cost benefit analysis, risk analysis, concept development, concept demonstration and concept evaluation, laboratory experimentation and field testing. Phase I type efforts should include the assessment of emerging operational imperatives and how they show a measurable value and operational impact. The result of Phase I type efforts is to assess and demonstrate whether commercial systems can support the furtherance of the operational imperatives. PHASE II: Eligibility for a Direct to Phase Two (D2P2) is predicated on the offeror having performed a Phase I-like effort predominantly separate from the SBIR/STTR Programs. These efforts will include M&S, simulation of prototype concepts, cost benefit analysis, system-of-systems studies, experimentation and evaluation of operational imperatives to enable future concepts. Prototypes, M&S and experimentation should explore a wide range of integrating commercial capabilities to support the operational imperatives. These capabilities should consider areas that are unique to military operations, logistics, mission planning, mission execution, base sustainment, and logistics. A goal is for Phase II efforts to conduct sub-scale experiments and provide test articles for further test and demonstration. Experiments should address military-unique requirements that may not be otherwise met by commercial capabilities. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III shall include upgrades to the analysis, M&S, T&E results and provide mature prototypes of system concepts. Phase III shall provide a business plan and address the ability to transition technology and system concepts to commercial applications. The adapted non-Defense commercial solutions shall provide expanded mission capability for a broad range of potential Governmental and civilian users and alternate mission applications. Integration and other technical support to operational users may be required. REFERENCES: 1. Hughes, S, Dillman, R, Starr, B, Stephan, R, Lindell, M, Inflatable Re-entry Vehicle (IRVE) Design Overiew. AIAA. 11 Nov 2022.; 2. Uyanna, O, Najafi, H, Thermal protection systems for space vehicles: A review on technology development, current challenges and future prospects. Acta Astronautica. November 2020.; KEYWORDS: exoatmospheric, re-entry, return capsules, launch vehicle agnostic, eject payloads, downmass