NextSTEP-3 B: Moon to Mars Architecture Studies

Review ID: M2M-MSFC-0001

NAICS codes:

• 541715 – Research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology)

NASA seeks industry-led architecture concept development, concept refinement studies, and risk reduction activities that address gaps in the Moon to Mars architecture through the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-3 (NextSTEP-3). NASA plans to release this solicitation – NextSTEP-3 Annex B: Architectural Studies from the Moon to Mars – near the beginning of the 2026 calendar year. For more details, see the links under the notification ID above.

NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture defines the capabilities necessary for long-term human-led scientific discovery in deep space. The agency’s architectural approach distills the objectives developed by the agency into capabilities and elements that support exploration and scientific objectives. NASA is continually evolving this crewed exploration plan, putting humanity on a path to the Moon, Mars and beyond by collaborating with experts from industry, academia and the international community.

This proposed solicitation seeks participation from partners on a recurring basis, targeting multiple calls per year for proposal submission. Proposals should focus on topics addressing infrastructure, transportation, habitation, concepts of operations, and planetary science capabilities identified in the latest revision of the Architecture Definition Document. The RFP establishes a flexible acquisition strategy that accommodates both calls for topics directed to specific areas of government interest, as well as calls for open topics.

NASA anticipates that the first calls for thematic studies in Annex B will focus on lunar and Mars mission concepts. NASA intends to issue a targeted call for research into an integrated surface electrical infrastructure (or power grid) that can scale to support increasingly ambitious lunar missions. (Note: This call excludes proposals for Fission Surface Power System Partnership Proposal Announcement, but may include all technology solutions, including alternative fission, solar hybrid, or other power grid approaches.)

At the same time, NASA will issue a targeted call for the development of a Mars crew transportation concept, commercial studies and the identification of risk reduction activities. This call would include transportation to space, access to the surface of Mars, and Mars ascension options for crew and cargo.