Request for Information (RFI) Enabling Commercial Lunar Transportation to Support a Sustained Lunar Base

NASA’s George C. Marshall Space Flight Center is issuing RFI 26‑01‑PS70 to gather information from established commercial providers and new industry entrants on end‑to‑end lunar transportation systems that will enable a permanent, continuously crewed U.S. lunar base. Respondents must describe a complete human‑transport architecture—from Earth launch through an orbital transfer point (e.g., NRHO or an alternative staging orbit) and return to Earth—detailing achievable launch and surface‑to‑surface cadence (initially one crewed surface mission per provider each year, with a target of a crewed mission every six months), autonomous loiter or dormant operation concepts, and the feasibility of limited manual crew control during selected phases. The response must address interoperability with existing and future Human Landing System (HLS) providers (rendezvous, proximity operations, docking, interface standards), certification strategy (NASA standards, commercial frameworks, or hybrid), safety and abort approaches, hazard control, and the inclusion of secondary scientific or technology‑demonstration payloads without compromising the primary human‑transport mission. Additional requirements include evolution pathways from the current Artemis architecture to a commercially sustainable system, manufacturing scalability and reuse, high‑tempo operational sustainment, cost sensitivity analyses, domestic sourcing compliance, and assumptions regarding contracting, data rights, NASA‑owned tooling/facilities, and potential non‑NASA customers. The RFI also requests a phased development and demonstration plan (including uncrewed and crewed demos with ROM costs), a description of how continuous human‑presence support will be maintained, and any optional capabilities that enhance interoperability, reduce risk, or increase cadence. Respondents should outline teaming or subcontracting arrangements, how they will leverage NASA Center resources, and any required NASA investments that could improve schedule, cost, or risk. Submissions are limited to a two‑page executive summary and a ten‑page detailed response (PDF only) due by 23 April 2026, 11:59 PM EST, and will be used solely for internal NASA planning; no proposals or cost proposals are to be submitted.

Notice ID

4b20c2d3bc6b445bad80caafd049bd59

Solicitation Number

26-01-PS70

NAICS Code

N/A

Classification Code

N/A