SWO Access to Space Request For Information

2026-11-03

Introduction and Background : The Department of Commerce , National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ), National Environmental Satellite , Data , and Information Service ’ s ( NESDIS ) Office of Space Weather Observations ( SWO ) supports the United States National Space Weather Strategy by implementing and sustaining operational observation platforms , capabilities , and supporting observations to increase capabilities of data - driven Space Weather models . The Space Weather Next ( SW Next ) program , managed by SWO furthers the NESDIS strategic continuity of essential remote and in - situ space - based space weather measurements that address the NESDIS strategic objective to “ Advance space weather observational leadership in all applicable orbits to meet mission needs .” This program will maintain a long - term sustained capability for operational space weather observations as well as ensure continued data stewardship and access . The SW Next program includes the existing Space weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness ( SOLAR ) project that will continue and provide resilience for the measurement sets gathered by the Space Weather Follow - On Lagrange 1 ( SWFO - L1 ) mission . Anticipated future SW Next projects would provide continuity and resilience for the measurement sets gathered by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites ( GOES )- R Series space weather observations and other geosynchronous space weather observations . Analysis of alternatives to satisfy these requirements , notionally identified as Space Weather Geo ( SW GEO ) is ongoing . The SW Next program is a joint development and acquisition effort between NOAA and NASA . NOAA ’ s updated 2025 Management Control Plan for space system acquisition establishes an updated relationship between NESDIS and NASA ’ s Goddard Space Flight Center ( GSFC ) for acquisition , development and deployment of NOAA space systems . This “ Access To Space ” RFI seeks information from industry regarding interest , capabilities , and options for providing launch integration and launch services for future NOAA Space weather systems via direct contracts with industry either acquired through NOAA / NESDIS or through NASA / GSFC . This RFI also seeks innovative and cost effective commercial industry partner ideas for future arrangements where the “ Access to Space ” services could be added to the scope of work for vendors who ’ ve been contracted for the development of future SW Next program spacecraft ( i . e . a bundled contract approach ). Please view " SWO Access to Space RFI Attachment " for complete information .

Maryland

2026-05-02