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NextSTEP F: Logistics Reduction in Space by Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS)

Image of NASA's Heat Melt Compactor
Evaporative Heat Transfer Mechanisms within a Heat Melt Compactor (EHeM HMC) Experiment
NASA

Solicitation Number: NNH16ZCQ001K-TCPS​​

May 24, 2018 – Synopsis Issued
July 3, 2018 – Appendix F Issued | Announcement
July 24, 2018 – Appendix F Industry Forum (files under references below) 
Oct. 5, 2018 – Selections Announced

Future spacecraft, far from Earth, likely will not have the regular cadence of visiting commercial ships that can remove trash, so NASA is turning to U.S. industry to advance concepts for trash compaction and processing systems. The agency has issued a call for prototypes, and eventually, flight demonstrations to fly on the space station. The solicitation was issued through Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Broad Agency Announcement, Appendix F: Logistics Reduction in Space by Trash Compaction and Processing System (TCPS).

References:

NextSTEP Appendix F – TCPS Q&A Log v2
Heat Melt Compactor – Lessons Learned
NextSTEP Appendix F – TCPS Cost Sheet
NextSTEP Appendix F Industry Forum Attendance
NextSTEP Appendix F – Heat Melt Compactor Poster 3
NextSTEP Appendix F – Heat Melt Compactor Poster 4
NextSTEP Appendix F – TCPS – Industry Forum Briefing Charts
Attachment 1: Waste Model for Space Mission Trash

Learn more about NASA’s NextSTEP public-private partnership model that seeks to stimulate the commercial space industry and help the agency explore deep space for the benefit of all.