NASA has started a market research effort with the goal of identifying companies and universities with the capacity to design high-speed commercial vehicle systems and develop technology roadmaps to support the baseline vehicle concepts.
The agency said Wednesday in a sources sought notice that it envisions a design study project that would initially explore performance, weight and environmental compliance criteria for an aerial transportation vehicle for potential civilian use.
NASA noted that it believes multidisciplinary teaming arrangements involving technologists who possess skills in aircraft and propulsion design and systems analysis could tackle such a project.
Interested parties should respond to the notice posted on SAM.gov by May 3.
The envisioned study for notional high-speed commercial aircraft will explore designs with a travel speed of between Mach 2 and Mach 5.
The agency seeks to encourage the development of conceptual designs for commercial transport platforms capable of flying faster than the speed of sound through its Advanced Air Vehicles Program.
