The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for a small lunar orbiter, dubbed Lunar Assay via Small Satellite Orbiter (LASSO), to test navigation and propulsion technologies in very low orbits around the moon. The mission aims to map the lunar surface for concentrations of water ice and develop new technologies for cislunar space situational awareness.
DARPA is seeking design studies that could lead to construction of a spacecraft capable of operating in low altitudes, where irregularities in the moon’s gravitational field make it challenging to maintain a safe orbit. The technology developed through LASSO could have applications in cislunar space and support commercial space capabilities and NASA missions.
The proposed mission would involve covering the entire lunar surface with water ice concentrations at least 5% within four years. DARPA is seeking six-page abstracts from organizations on their concepts for LASSO, followed by oral presentations. The agency plans to select several for a six-month conceptual design study, followed by an 18-month critical design review.
If selected, one provider will receive a one-year effort to build the LASSO spacecraft. DARPA’s involvement with LASSO would end with the completed spacecraft, but it would work with NASA to arrange a launch of the spacecraft on a payload adapter known as ESPA.
The solicitation does not include a budget for LASSO, but proposals must include a “rough order of magnitude” cost estimate and a more detailed price in the oral presentation. This effort is part of DARPA’s ongoing lunar initiatives, including the 10-Year Lunar Architecture project and the Lunar Operating Guidelines for Infrastructure Consortium (LOGIC).
Source: https://spacenews.com/darpa-requests-proposals-for-water-prospecting-lunar-orbiter