NASA SMD: Advance Notice of Intent to Solicit: Science Transport & Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE)

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) through the Mars Exploration Program (MEP) within the Planetary Science Division (PSD) intends to add a new program element under the Planetary Science Division (PSD) in the ROSES-2025 solicitation entitled Science Transport & Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE).

This future ROSES-2025 program element is expected to solicit proposals from for-profit U.S. organizations that may result in the award of firm-fixed-price contracts, subject to the availability of funds, programmatic priorities, and the merit of submitted proposals. NASA anticipates selecting multiple awards but reserves the right to make no awards.

This program element will use a one-step (direct) proposal submission process via NSPIRES; Notices of Intent and Step-1 proposals are not anticipated for this program.

Description

The STRIDE program will solicit proposals from U.S. industry to conduct design studies of advanced robotic surface and aerial mobility systems with payload transportation and deployment capability for Mars surface operations, and, where applicable, early-stage prototyping of hardware for the same purpose.

These studies will inform the future development of commercial robotic systems that are Mars-environment capable and able to traverse challenging terrain to deliver science payloads across the Martian surface.

This opportunity seeks participation from a broad range of providers, from established space hardware developers to terrestrial robotics companies with potential to enter the space sector, to explore mobility solutions that are scalable and adaptable to diverse mission scenarios.

The goal of the program element is to identify commercial systems that can operate in realistic Martian environments while enabling cost-effective transportation and/or deployment of science payloads. In addition, the program aims to identify key capability gaps and help advance the broader landscape of robotic exploration at Mars. Proposals will be encouraged to articulate how their proposed platform could enhance overall science return.

Disclaimer

This notice is issued for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. No proposals are being accepted at this time. Any costs incurred by prospective investigators in preparing submissions in response to a advanced notice are incurred at the submitter’s own risk. The forthcoming ROSES-2025 program element may contain provisions that differ from this preliminary notice, in which case the provisions in the final program element will take precedence.

Points of Contact

Primary Point of Contact
Erica Montbach, Program Executive
Mars Exploration Program, Planetary Science Division
Email: [email protected]

Secondary Point of Contact
Shana Faris
Contract Specialist
Email: [email protected]

Questions regarding this future opportunity should be directed to the Points of Contact listed on the official NSPIRES program page once posted.

Astrobiology, Astrogeology,