Star Shade Design, Analysis and Prototyping

Background
NASA/NSSC has a requirement for Star Shade Design, Analysis and Prototyping. This contract is intended to support the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) led NIAC-I Hybrid Observatory for Earth-like Exoplanets (HOEE). The goal of the contract is to develop an ultra-lightweight starshade that can be built or assembled in space, which will enable ground-based telescopes to observe exoplanets more effectively. OMP INC has been identified as the sole provider for this effort due to their unique capabilities in this area.

Work Details
The work involves designing the first family of Inflatable Starshades for Earthlike Exoplanets (ISEE) with diameters ranging from 35 to 100 meters. The tasks include:

1) INTERNAL REQUIREMENTS REVIEW – defining requirements, conducting literature reviews, and assessing initial engineering feasibility;

2) CONCEPTUAL DESIGN – creating a requirement validation matrix and conceptual technical design;

3) PRELIMINARY DESIGN – developing mechanical CAD modules, thermal FEA modules, and conducting structural performance analysis at low fidelity;

4) POST PRELIMINARY DESIGN – refining mechanical CAD modules, thermal FEA modules, and performing structural performance analysis at medium fidelity;

5) DETAILED DESIGN – finalizing mechanical CAD modules, thermal FEA modules, and conducting high fidelity structural performance analysis;

6) REPORTING AND DOCUMENTATION – preparing presentation materials, complete CAD models, FEA results, structural performance data, deployment analysis folding, and launch survivability assessments.

Period of Performance
The contract is expected to commence with an award on May 1st, 2025, followed by various design phases leading to complete documentation by March 14, 2026.

Place of Performance
The work will be performed at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).