Directed-Call 2 Surface Mating Systems

NextSTEP-3 Appendix B
Directed-Topic Call 2 - Surface Mating Systems

2 October 2026

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas 77058

Directed-Topic Call #2 Surface Mating System

1.0

Overview

NASA is setting up a Moon Base at the lunar South Pole with multiple habitat and logistics elements mated (aka docked) together. Unlike orbital docking systems long used by ISS and its visiting vehicles, lunar Surface Mating Systems (SMS) will face new challenges unique to the lunar surface including the Moon’s gravity, uneven terrain, extreme temperatures, and regolith dust. The lunar SMS will be designed to connect habitat elements (e.g., Multi-Purpose Habitat, Node, Airlock) and logistics elements (e.g., Mated Carrier) in the lunar South Pole environment during Phase 3 of the Moon Base build-up, making it a critical element in the development, habitability, sustainability and expansion of the Moon Base. This SMS Directed Call is strategically intended to reduce risks by developing early concepts and ground demonstrations of full system and/or subsystem elements. By testing innovative SMS concepts on Earth, the project enables early identification and mitigation of potential technical and operational barriers, informing future government flight SMS standards, interfaces and subsystems. This approach ensures that the SMS will be ready to support the challenging needs of Moon Base Phase 3 development and meet the unique demands of lunar exploration.

2.0

Objectives

The primary objective of this Directed Call is to design and develop new SMS concepts, culminating in a ground demonstration by September 30, 2027. Offerors shall propose a complete end-to-end SMS concept that meets the capabilities listed in the attached Ground Rules, Assumptions, & Constraints (GRAC) document. Offerors may propose ground demonstrations of a scaled version of the full SMS concept and/or demonstrations of higherfidelity SMS sub-systems within the proposed concept. Successful concepts and demonstrations will be expected to meet or exceed the metrics listed in Section 3.0 below. The systems acquired under this Directed Call are expected to be functional laboratory prototypes for ground demonstration. They are not intended for flight demonstrations proving performance in the actual lunar environment, which may be the focus of future procurements informed by FY27 ground demonstration activities.

3.0

Concept Metrics and Ground Rules, Assumptions & Constraints (GRAC)