Network Extension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) Ka-Band Backward-Compatible Relay Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) NextSTEP-3 Appendix E - Draft Solicitation

Update 3:  NASA release Draft Solicitation Industry Day Charts, which include Batch #1 of industry questions / inquiries and NASA’s responses.

NASA also invites Contractor’s who are not only interested in NEXUS, but other Commercial Services Projects (CSP) to register for  NASA's Near-Earth Space Relay Industry Day at the following link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/9z3rywz?mode=preview&source_id=4810d636-af6c-4303-b5bc-aa8de2821fa6&source_type=em&c=  Contractor’s may also use the QR code provided on Chart #33 of the Draft Solicitation Industry Day package to register.

All information related to this NEXUS TDRS-BC acquisition should be directed to and through Jennifer George, Lead Contracting Officer, NASA/MSFC/PS50 to Jennifer George at Jennifer.George@nasa.gov and .... Read More

Update: NASA release of the draft competitive Appendix E solicitation under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-3 (NextSTEP-3) Omnibus for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward-Compatible Relay.

As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRSS users for a minimum of fifteen (15) years. This capability is needed to support select on-orbit missions that cannot feasibly modify flight hardware or transition to non-compatible commercial services. Industry is being asked to develop and demonstrate .... Read More

Amendament 2 posted on 4/8/26

The purpose of this Amendment is to add the draft statement of objectives (SOO) as an Attachment. 

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Amendment 1 posted on 3/25/26

NASA intends to release a BAA under Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-3), Appendix E, for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward- Compatible Relay. As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRS users for a minimum of fifteen years. This capability .... Read More

Amendment 1 posted on 3/25/26

NASA intends to release a BAA under Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-3), Appendix E, for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward- Compatible Relay. As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRS users for a minimum of fifteen years. This capability is needed to support select on-orbit missions that cannot feasibly modify flight hardware or transition to non-compatible commercial services. To reduce growing continuity risk in the .... Read More

NASA intends to release a BAA under Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-3), Appendix E, for Project NEXUS, Ka-band Backward- Compatible Relay. As the aging Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) declines, NASA’s objective is to acquire an end-to-end Ka-band relay service, including space, ground, launch, integration, and operations elements, that is backward compatible with legacy TDRSS users for a minimum of fifteen years. This capability is needed to support select on-orbit missions that cannot feasibly modify flight hardware or transition to non-compatible commercial services. To reduce growing continuity risk in the 2029- 2031 timeframe, industry is asked .... Read More