Naval Research Laboratory, Attn: Code 3230, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20375-5326

A -- SPACEBORNE PAYLOAD TECHNOLOGY SOL NRL BAA 01-99 DUE 123199 POC Mark Johnson, Code 8133, (202)767-0892 WEB: click here, http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/baa.htm. The Naval Research Laboratory's Broad Agency Announcement number 01-99 is hereby amended to add topic number 980 as follows: BAA 980, SPACEBORNE PAYLOAD TECHNOLOGY (CODE 8133). The Space Systems Development Department of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is soliciting proposals for basic and applied research in optical payload technology. The intent of this research is to advance the state of the art through innovation in spaceborne optical payload components, subsystems and techniques. Proposals for cooperative research are encouraged. Relevant areas of interest include, but are not limited to: space qualified CCD arrays and associated on board processing and reporting capability to be incorporated into an experimental satellite to measure the positions and motion of the stars in the 5th to 15th visual magnitude. The optical reference frame defined by the positions of the bright stars (visual magnitude <<9) has an accuracy of one milliarcsecond (10-10 radians). Improvement in this reference frame is needed for precise position determination in space. Space measurements have the ability to improve this optical reference frame to accuracies of the order 10 -- 50 microarcseconds (10-13 radians). Additional relevant areas of interest include, but are not limited to: (1) optical scanning systems; (2) very large format CCD's; (3) highly stable thermal platforms; (4) innovative Optical to Electrical conversion techniques, and (5) very high throughput data handling systems. The following aspects are of special interest: (1) Applicability to the space environment. (2) Improvement of performance vs. size, weight, and power over existing technology. (3) Flexibility and adaptability of functionality and performance. Proposals for all, portions of, or stand-alone subsets of the above areas of interest are encouraged. Address Initial Proposals to Code 8133, or e-mail johnson@ssdd.nrl.navy.mil, Telephone (202) 767-0892. Allow one month before requesting confirmation of receipt of initial proposal, if confirmation is desired. Substantive contact should not take place prior to evaluation of an initial proposal by NRL. If necessary, NRL will initiate substantive contact. Posted 04/16/99 (W-SN321174). (0106)

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