REQUEST FOR INFORMATION The DOD Office of the Space Architect (DODOSA), in consultation with the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation of the FAA, is gathering information regarding the impact of a Launch on Demand (LoD) capability on commercial space services, systems and programs. For the purpose of this Request For Information, LoD is defined as launch capability that is responsive and dependable, in terms of speed, schedule and capacity on a routine basis. The LoD measure is the time from a launch call-up to first provision of service to the customer. The information will be used to assist DODOSA in developing plans for space systems architectures for the 2010 2020 time period. SMC/XRE is issuing this RFI on behalf of DODOSA. The emerging technical and operational concepts embodied in the Air Force EELV program (modular launcher components, automated test, and standard payload interface), government and commercial RLV efforts (quick turnaround and all-azimuth potential), and multiple commercial small launcher programs indicate that LoD will be a viable capability in the future. While most prior studies have focused on the ability of the launch systems to support LoD, the DODOSA study will analyze utility from the customer perspective as well as technology factors, costs, and risks. It will assess impacts on policy, doctrine, force structure, system design, operations, logistics concepts, acquisition strategy, and production. Of particular interest are innovative concepts, technology applications and associated commercial (non-military) architectures leading to improved means to provide existing space-based services as well as potential new services enabled by LoD. Because government and/or commercially supplied LoD is an assumed capability, the focus of this RFI is on the utility of and impacts to space-based services concepts, rather than launch vehicles. This RFI seeks information which will help the DODOSA answer the question, "How does LoD change the world for commercial space-based services?" In its broadest context, LoD might be analogous to over-the-road long haul trucking ("You call, we haul"). In a more restrictive sense, some degree of prior planning might have taken place (range safety planning, launch option payment, etc.) leaving only the actual launch date for call up. Respondents should consider the full range of LoD possibilities when addressing the questions below. Request your response address as many of the following specific topics/questions as appropriate to your business interests. Written responses or dialog with respondents clearly indicated as sensitive or proprietary will be accommodated appropriately. I. This section is intended to survey the sensitivity of requirements for space-based services to launch on demand. Please answer the following questions in terms of current firm commitments, anticipated requirements based on market projections, and changes to these requirements you might envision if LoD were available in the 2005 -- 2020 time frame. A. What type(s) of space-based services do you currently provide? B. What space-based services do you plan to provide in the future? C. Do you anticipate that your existing and future space-based services will require greater launch responsiveness than presently exists? D. What new services might you consider if launch on demand were available? E. What responsiveness (number of days) will be required for these services? II. This section will evaluate the relative importance of factors that affect launch systems selection. A. What factors, other than lift capacity, currently affect your launch system selection? (Consider at least the following as examples: price, availability, government policy, payload interface, schedule responsiveness, etc.) B. For each of these characteristics: 1. Provide a brief explanation of how each factor affects the selection. 2. Rate on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being of highest importance) the importance of these factors to launch vehicle selection. III. This section will examine the impact of a launch on demand capability on space systems. Please answer the following questions assuming that commercial launch suppliers have adopted a routine, fast, reliable launch-on-demand operating method. A. What changes would you make to constellation design and system architecture and why? If no changes, why? Consider at least the following: 1. General system constellation design and orbit selection 2. Sparing philosophy and storing of spares on orbit B. What changes would you make to satellite design and why? If no changes, why? Consider at least the following: 1. Satellite design life 2. Satellite reliability 3. Sparing of satellite components C. What changes would you make to operations and why? If no changes, why? Consider at least the following: 1. Satellite development process and manufacturing 2. Satellite integration and testing 3. Satellite control on orbit IV. This section is intended to characterize the current satellite and launch planning horizons. A. How far in advance do you presently procure and commit to (i.e. schedule) launch? B. What costs are associated with launch delays? C. What penalties are imposed if the satellite delivery schedule slips? Please quantify in terms of percentage of overall project cost. D. What is the generalized payment schedule for procuring launches in terms of percentage of total payment at each phase of launch hardware preparation? V. This section is intended to characterize potential financial and strategic business incentives for a launch on demand capability. A. What would be the impact of LoD on your business plan or service capacity decisions? Consider, as appropriate, such things as "first to market" concerns, deferment of launch service outlays, shorter launch processing timelines, technology obsolescence, amount of excess capacity, etc. B. What cost impact would you anticipate (positive or negative) if commercial launch suppliers adopted launch on demand? If helpful, please relate the cost impact to the above changes (IIIA-IIIC). C. IfLoD were a premium service, what would be your break point as a percentage of current (non-LoD) launch cost and why? VI. Other: A. Please further describe any other thoughts you may have or potential changes to the way you do business that might be enabled by launch on demand and are not covered in the questions above. B. With whom would you recommend we pursue additional discussions on similar topics? C. Would you be willing to attend and participate in an "Industry Day" gathering of commercial space interests in the Washington, DC, area to discuss the topic and questions described above? Parties interested in responding to this RFI should contact Lt Col Roger Odle by phone at (703) 325-5956 or by electronic mail at odlerc@acq.osd.mil to obtain a background materials package. Opportunity for presentations by interested commercial organizations and discussions with members of the LoD Study Team is available. In order to reduce participant travel, two identical two-day windows of 1 hour blocks are being set aside on 15-16 Oct 1997at SMC/XR, Building 125, Conference Room 1223, LAAFB, CA, and on 21-22 Oct 1997 at DODOSA, Room 136, Hoffman Building #1, Alexandria, VA. Please contact Maj Rick Higgins at (310) 363-2544, fax (310)363-2332 or electronic mail at richard.higgins@losangeles.af.mil if you would like to participate in the Los Angeles, CA discussions or Mr. Steve Ehrler at (703) 325-4332 if you would like to participate in the Washington, DC discussions, NLT 10 Oct 1997. If follow-up trips or visits to an organization's location are warranted, they can be arranged during the meetings. All written responses to the questions contained in this RFI must be received at DODOSA, 2641 Eisenhower Ave, Hoffman I, Rm 164, Alexandria, VA 22331-0900, Attn: Lt Col Roger Odle, no later than 10 October 1997. Your written responses are appreciated even if you intend to meet with DoDOSA personnel in Los Angeles, CA or Washington, DC. This synopsis is for a Request For Information only and does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Government to purchase or acquire space systems or services. The Government will not reimburse travel and response preparation expenses for this effort. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Technical Representative via e-mail, odlerc@acq.osd.mil.

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