NASA/Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135

A -- NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (NRA-98-LERC-2A) -- ABLV RBCC PROPULSION SYSTEM MATERIALS, STRUCTURES, AND INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT SOL NRA-98-LERC-2A POC Gloria J. Rhyner, Contract Specialist, Phone (216) 433-2794, Fax (216) 433-5489, Email Gloria.J.Rhyner@lerc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/LeRC/date.html#NRA-98-LERC-2A. E-MAIL: Gloria J. Rhyner, Gloria.J.Rhyner@lerc.nasa.gov. NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (NRA-98-LERC-2) -- ABLV RBCC PROPULSION SYSTEM MATERIALS, STRUCTURES, AND INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT General Information Solicitation Number: NRA-98-LERC-2A NAIS Posted Date: 01-04-99 CBDNet Posted Date: 01-04-99 Response Date: N/A Classification Code: A -- Research & Development This is a second round of the previously announced NRA published in the CBD 9-23-98. It is anticipated that the complete document will be published on or around January 19, 1999. Contracting Office Address NASA/Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135 Description Background: The Hypersonics Project Office at NASA's Lewis Research Center is developing basic propulsion technologies for air-breathing access to space under the sponsorship of NASA's Office of AeroSpace Technology. Studies have shown air-breathing propulsion's potential for reducing launch costs. This potential depends on the degree to which the weight and complexity of the system are increased by theincorporation of air-breathing propulsion. NASA has identified Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) propulsion as one of the most promising propulsion technologies for single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) air-breathing launch vehicles (ABLV). Over the past few years, RBCC flowpaths have been developed and tested in varying configurations. NASA has identified propulsion system weight as a key element of RBCC development. Because of the challenges inherent in RBCC propulsion systems, NASA seeks the integration of light-weight, high temperature materials, structures, and thermal management with a given RBCC flowpath concept. Assessment of propulsion system flight weight will require the design and analysis of propulsion system architectures, including the integration of light weight, actively and passively cooled structural concepts, and overall propulsion system power balance. Scope: Proposals should include a concise plan for designing and analyzing propulsion system architectures for RBCC ABLVs such as the TrailblazerRBCC concept (reference information to be provided in an NRA Appendix), leading to the identification of RBCC propulsion system flight weight. An overall propulsion system architecture, or set of architectures, should be developed that balance: 1) use of light-weight/high-temperature materials 2) active and passive cooling strategies 3) propulsion system cycle design (power balance) The objective in developing propulsion system architectures is to minimize vehicle dry weight. Toward this objective, information on the Trailblazer RBCC reference vehicle concept will be made available as required. Other reference propulsion system/vehicle concepts may be considered. Since the challenge of identifying flight weight integrated propulsion system material/structural/thermal architectures is one common to all RBCC concepts, the applications of architecture strategies to the generic RBCC class of access to space propulsion systems should be identified, along with their relevance to propulsion system flight weight, regardless of the specific propulsion system/vehicle concept chosen for detailed architecture design. The products of this investigation should include: 1) A description of the recommended propulsion system architecture(s) for RBCC SSTO ABLVs, including: a) the rationale for material/structural, thermal management, and propulsion system cycle design choices, b) identification of alternative architecture options with high potential that may warrant further technology development 2) A tabulation of the flight weight estimates for propulsion system architecture components, including the basis for the estimates 3) Recommendations of areas for further analysis or technology development relevant to defining RBCC propulsion system flight weight Relevant experiments that demonstrate the effectiveness of, and support the rationale for, a particular material choice, active or passive cooling methodology, and/or integrated propulsion system structural/thermal/power balance design strategy may be proposed. Proposals will be evaluated based on: 1) technical merit, 2) knowledge of materials, structures, and thermal management techniques for air-breathing propulsion application to launch vehicles (relevant experience), 3) potential to contribute to NASA's Aero-Space Technology Enterprise pillar three goal for reduced costs for access to space, 4) contributions to overall NASA goals, 5) ability to manage technical programs (past performance), and 6) cost. The duration of a resulting contract(s) will be eighteen months starting in mid-FY99 (spring, 1999). NASA anticipates having a total of $2.0M available for this work ($1.0M in FY99, and $1.0M in FY00). Teaming of organizations that cover the spectrum of propulsion system architecture expertise is encouraged, but non-teamed proposals dealing with unique areas of expertise will also be considered. For technical questions about this NRA, please contact Don Palac by phone at (216) 977-7094 or by e-mail at D.Palac@lerc.nasa.gov. Offerors may propose the use of government facilities, but the cost of using the facilities should be included as a part of the proposal. For information regarding government facility availability and cost, please contact Doug Perkins by phone at (216) 977-7414 or by e-mail at Hugh.D.Perkins@lerc.nasa.gov. For contractual or business questions, please contact Gloria Rhyner by phone at (216) 433-2453 or by e-mail at Gloria.Rhyner@lerc.nasa.gov. Multiple awards will be considered. Point of Contact Name: Gloria Rhyner Title: Contracting Officer Phone: (216) 433-2453 Fax: (216) 433-5489 E-mail: Gloria.Rhyner @lerc.nasa.gov Posted 01/04/99 (D-SN284670). (0004)

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