Request for Information

July 25, 2024: RFI for BHEX Industry Partner

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is leading the development of the Black Hole Explorer (BHEX). This proposal opportunity is in anticipation of the future NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to be released in early 2025. 

This RFI is being issued to select an IP to provide a spacecraft (S/C) bus consistent with a Class D mission per NPR 8705.4A Risk Classification for NASA Payloads and all relevant support for this BHEX mission including

• S/C bus design (hardware and software)

• Payload/instrument accommodation 

• Instrument to S/C bus integration support

• Overall S/C (observatory) assembly, integration and test (AI&T), including ground support equipment

• S/C to launch vehicle integration support and launch support

• On-orbit mission operations and relevant science operations support for a nominal mission of 24 months

• Mission decommission

Full details on the RFI, including response instructions, are available in the package here. For consideration, a Notice of Interest is required no later than 5pm EDT on August 1, 2024.