Opportunity Information: Apply for 09 523
Apply for 09 523
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CubeSat based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.050 Geosciences.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 5, 2010 and posted on Dec 22, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 11, 2009 Full Proposal Deadline(s) May 11, 2009 March 10, 2010 March 10, Annually Thereafter. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $900,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity titled "CubeSat based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research" (Funding Opportunity Number 09-523) was created to address a major bottleneck in space weather and atmospheric science: the shortage of essential observations collected directly from space. The solicitation emphasizes that many of the most persistent unanswered questions in space science require measurements that cannot be obtained adequately from the ground or from a limited number of large spacecraft. Because space weather is driven by highly dynamic processes and complex interactions across different regions of near-Earth space, the program highlights the importance of multi-point observations, meaning coordinated measurements taken simultaneously at different locations. NSF is pointing applicants toward small satellite mission concepts because recent improvements in sensors and spacecraft subsystems have made it realistic to obtain high-value measurements with far lower cost and shorter development timelines than traditional missions.
At its core, the program is designed to fund complete, end-to-end CubeSat science missions that advance space weather and atmospheric research. This includes support not just for the scientific idea, but for the practical work required to make a mission real: spacecraft and payload development, construction, integration, testing, launch readiness, on-orbit operations, data distribution, and scientific analysis of the results. In other words, NSF is not simply funding data analysis or instrument prototyping in isolation; it is seeking proposals centered on flown missions that will return scientific data and produce research outcomes. A second, equally explicit program goal is workforce development. By backing hands-on missions with real operational constraints, NSF intends to create meaningful training opportunities for the next generation of experimental space scientists and aerospace engineers, including experience with mission design tradeoffs, verification and testing, and the realities of operating in orbit.
To make launches more feasible and affordable, the solicitation focuses on CubeSat-class satellites deployed through the standardized CubeSat deployment mechanism known as the Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD). The program anticipates that these CubeSats will fly as secondary (auxiliary) payloads on Department of Defense (DOD), NASA, or commercial launches, which is a common way to reduce launch costs by sharing a rocket with a primary mission. A key detail is that NSF states it will arrange the launch accommodations directly, and that securing launch services is not part of what applicants must propose under this solicitation. Beginning in 2009, NSF expected to launch two to three P-PODs per year, collectively supporting at least two to six individual satellite missions annually, implying a relatively steady cadence of opportunities for selected CubeSat missions to reach orbit.
From an administrative and funding perspective, this is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, under CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences). The solicitation listed an estimated total funding amount of $900,000, with individual awards ranging from a $300,000 floor to a $900,000 ceiling, and it anticipated making about two awards. Cost sharing was not required, and eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of applicant entity could apply, subject to any specific clarifications contained in the full solicitation text. The opportunity was posted on December 22, 2008, and it included proposal deadlines of May 11, 2009 and March 10, 2010, with an annual March 10 deadline thereafter during the active period of the solicitation. The archive date listed is March 5, 2010, indicating the opportunity materials were later archived in NSF systems.
Overall, this program is best understood as NSF using CubeSats as a practical mechanism to close critical observational gaps in space weather and atmospheric science. It leverages standardized deployment hardware (P-POD), shared launch opportunities, and the growing maturity of small satellite technology to enable scientifically focused missions that can deliver multi-point measurements. At the same time, it treats the mission lifecycle itself as an educational and workforce-building engine, ensuring that the funded projects generate both scientific results and hands-on training in building and flying real space instruments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this NSF funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "CubeSat based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 09-523.
What problem is NSF trying to address with this solicitation?
NSF created this solicitation to address a major bottleneck in space weather and atmospheric science: a shortage of essential observations collected directly from space. The solicitation notes that many persistent unanswered questions require measurements that cannot be obtained adequately from the ground or from a limited number of large spacecraft.
What kinds of science does this program focus on?
The program focuses on space weather and atmospheric research, particularly investigations that require direct space-based measurements.
Why does the solicitation emphasize multi-point observations?
Space weather is driven by highly dynamic processes and complex interactions across different regions of near-Earth space. The solicitation highlights that coordinated, simultaneous measurements at different locations (multi-point observations) are important for answering key scientific questions.
What types of missions is NSF encouraging under this program?
NSF is pointing applicants toward small satellite mission concepts, specifically CubeSat-class missions, because improvements in sensors and spacecraft subsystems make it realistic to obtain high-value measurements at lower cost and with shorter development timelines than traditional missions.
Is this program meant to fund complete missions or only pieces of a mission?
The solicitation is designed to fund complete, end-to-end CubeSat science missions. It is not limited to data analysis or instrument prototyping in isolation; proposals are expected to be centered on flown missions that will return scientific data and produce research outcomes.
What mission lifecycle activities are included in scope for funding?
The solicitation describes support across the full mission lifecycle, including spacecraft and payload development, construction, integration, testing, launch readiness, on-orbit operations, data distribution, and scientific analysis of results.
Does the program have goals beyond scientific results?
Yes. A second explicit goal is workforce development. NSF intends for hands-on missions with real operational constraints to provide meaningful training opportunities for the next generation of experimental space scientists and aerospace engineers.
What kinds of training experiences does NSF expect funded projects to provide?
The solicitation highlights experience with mission design tradeoffs, verification and testing, and the realities of operating in orbit as key workforce-development outcomes.
What class of spacecraft is this solicitation built around?
The solicitation focuses on CubeSat-class satellites.
What deployment mechanism is referenced for these CubeSats?
The solicitation focuses on CubeSats deployed through the standardized CubeSat deployment mechanism known as the Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD).
Are the CubeSats expected to be primary payloads?
No. The solicitation anticipates CubeSats will fly as secondary (auxiliary) payloads on Department of Defense (DOD), NASA, or commercial launches.
Do applicants need to propose or secure launch services?
No. A key detail in the solicitation is that NSF states it will arrange the launch accommodations directly, and securing launch services is not part of what applicants must propose under this solicitation.
How frequently did NSF expect to launch P-PODs under this program?
Beginning in 2009, NSF expected to launch two to three P-PODs per year.
How many satellite missions did NSF expect to support each year through these launches?
The solicitation implies a cadence collectively supporting at least two to six individual satellite missions annually.
What type of funding opportunity is this?
This is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity.
What is the program category referenced in the opportunity information?
The opportunity is listed within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity, and what NSF area is it under?
The opportunity is under CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences).
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The solicitation listed an estimated total funding amount of $900,000.
What was the award size range for individual awards?
Individual awards were listed as ranging from a $300,000 floor to a $900,000 ceiling.
How many awards did NSF anticipate making?
The solicitation anticipated making about two awards.
Was cost sharing required?
No. The solicitation stated that cost sharing was not required.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of applicant entity could apply, subject to any specific clarifications contained in the full solicitation text.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on December 22, 2008.
What proposal deadlines were listed?
The solicitation included proposal deadlines of May 11, 2009 and March 10, 2010, with an annual March 10 deadline thereafter during the active period of the solicitation.
What does the archive date indicate?
The archive date listed is March 5, 2010, indicating the opportunity materials were later archived in NSF systems.
How should applicants interpret the overall intent of the program?
The program is best understood as NSF using CubeSats, standardized deployment hardware (P-POD), and shared launch opportunities to close critical observational gaps in space weather and atmospheric science, while also using the full mission lifecycle as a vehicle for workforce development and hands-on training.
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