What's Happening?
NASA's C.13 Science Transport and Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE) program is inviting proposals from U.S. industry for the design of advanced robotic systems. These systems are intended for transporting and deploying payloads
on Mars, as well as for early-stage hardware prototyping. The ROSES-2025 Amendment 49 has introduced changes to the program, including replacing page limits with requirements in Table C.13-1 and changing the word 'should' to 'must' in specific sections. The deadline for proposals is March 31, 2026, and no Notices of Intent or Step-1 proposals are required. Updated FAQs are available on the NSPIRES page for C.13 STRIDE.
Why It's Important?
The STRIDE program is crucial for advancing U.S. capabilities in space exploration, particularly in robotic systems for Mars operations. By seeking innovative designs from U.S. industry, NASA aims to enhance its technological edge in space exploration. This initiative not only supports NASA's long-term goals for Mars exploration but also stimulates the U.S. aerospace sector, potentially leading to new technological breakthroughs and economic opportunities. The program's focus on early-stage prototyping could accelerate the development of new technologies, benefiting both NASA and the private sector.
What's Next?
Interested parties can visit the NASA research opportunity homepage for more information. The primary contacts for the program are Erica Montbach and Lane Painter, with Shana Faris as the secondary contact. As the proposal deadline approaches, companies and research institutions are expected to finalize their submissions. The outcome of this call for proposals could lead to significant advancements in robotic technologies for space exploration, with potential applications beyond Mars.
