Framework for NASA space relay satellite services over the next decade: space relay partnership and services study

The United States National Space Policy provides guidance and directives for U.S. Government agencies to purchase commercial space services and capabilities to the maximum extent practical. In alignment with this guidance, the anticipated initial NASA near-Earth space relay operating capability over the next decade will be comprised of the existing NASA-owned Space Network infrastructure supplemented with commercially-owned and -provided relay satellites and their associated ground stations. NASA awarded contracts to eight study vendors in May 2019 to investigate the feasibility of applying commercial services concepts to the NASA user mission community. The studies, managed by NASA Glenn Research Center, detailed ten study topic areas. NASA completed the analysis and synthesis of these eight industry studies and other relevant information. The responses from the study vendors indicated a strong interest in providing commercial services to NASA missions, and included a wide range of proposed architectures and demonstration ideas. Overall, the responses indicated that a mature and healthy competitive environment exists across a broad spectrum of industry to deliver high-rate space relay services in the next three to five years. This paper will present an overview of the study, analysis and synthesis processes along with common themes and conclusions, and provide next steps and recommendations. The results of this study serve as a foundation for ongoing efforts to acquire interoperable space relay services for NASA missions from multiple commercial service providers.