NASA Awards Lunar Freezer System Contract to University of Alabama at Birmingham
NASA has awarded a contract to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to develop essential systems for safely returning temperature-sensitive scientific payloads from the Moon to Earth. This contract, known as the Lunar Freezer System, will support the transportation of critical science materials collected during lunar missions.
The contract is structured as an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity award with cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery orders. It officially begins on Thursday, December 4, and includes a 66-month base period. Additionally, there are two optional extension periods that could prolong the contract through June 3, 2033. The total estimated value of the contract is $37 million.
Details of the NASA Awards Lunar Freezer Contract
Under this contract, the University of Alabama at Birmingham will be responsible for providing hardware and software systems that ensure the safe, reliable, and cost-effective preservation of temperature-sensitive scientific materials. These materials include lunar geological samples, human research samples, and biological experiment samples. The systems will maintain the required temperature conditions as these samples travel aboard Artemis spacecraft from the lunar surface back to Earth.
The contractor was selected following a thorough evaluation process conducted by NASA engineers. Proposals were carefully reviewed based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the request for proposals. The source selection authority at NASA made the final decision after assessing the evaluation materials.
Significance of the Lunar Freezer System Contract
The Lunar Freezer System contract plays a crucial role in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to explore the Moon and return valuable scientific data to Earth. By ensuring that temperature-sensitive samples remain preserved during transit, the contract supports the integrity of scientific research and experimentation related to lunar exploration.
This contract highlights NASA’s commitment to advancing exploration systems development and scientific research. The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s work on this project will contribute significantly to the success of future lunar missions and the broader goals of the Artemis program.
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Source: original article.