NASA seeks lunar surface concept proposals

Washington -- The U.S. space agency said it's seeking ideas for its lunar surface systems concept to help it develop plans for a return to the moon by 2020.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said it will hold a June 6 discussion at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington and is inviting interested institutions, industry and academia to attend and submit proposals.

NASA said it is soliciting concept studies in several topic areas, with the duration of the studies being six months or less. Proposals are due July 7.

NASA said a total of $2 million is available in study contracts to be awarded by mid-August, with a maximum individual award amount of $250,000.

The space agency's Constellation Program is developing a new space transportation system that is designed to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

The Constellation fleet includes the Orion crew exploration vehicle, the Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles and Altair human lunar lander.

Registration information is available until 5 p.m. EDT on June 4 at http://external.jsc.nasa.gov/events/lsspo/.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.