NASA Headquarters supports scientific research by soliciting proposals through NASA Research Announcements. A peer review process is used to evaluate and select proposals. Please visit the NSPIRES website for information on NASA science opportunities.

The Sounding Rockets Program Office (SRPO) encourages organizations, not funded through a NASA Research Opportunity, to arrange missions by contacting the SRPO directly. Please contact the following SRPO staff members to discuss requirements and capabilities.

Giovanni Rosanova - Chief Sounding Rockets Program Office
Cahty Hesh - Assistant Chief
Scott Bissett - Deputy Chief
Julie Bloxom - SRPO Business Manager and Grants Manager
Danny Bowden - Operations Manager
Ernie Bowden - Mission Manager
Charles Brodell - Vehicle Systems Manager
Josh Bundick - Program Specialist
Sean Donohue - Mission Manager
Brittany Empson - Operations Manager
Nathan Empson - Mission Manager
Scott Hesh - Electrical Engineering
Max King - Operations Manager
Wyle Maddox - Project Specialist
Jennifer McIntyre - Resource Management
Carsell Milliner - Technical Manager
Sarah Ross - Project Support Specialist
Lindsey Seo - Mechanical Engineering
Shane Thompson - Payload Systems Manager
Todd Thornes - SMA Manager
Libby West - SRPO Projects Manager
Joshua Yacobucci - Technology Manager

Program Flow for NASA supported research missions :

1. Principal Investigator (PI) responds to a NASA Research Announcement by submitting a proposal.
2. Abstracts are reviewed by the Sounding Rockets Program Office (SRPO)
3. SRPO provides feedback on feasibility and potential issues
4. NASA Headquarters selects propsals for funding

Mission Implementation Flow (following proposal acceptance):

(Download Flow Chart, pdf)

1. PI requests a Mission Initiation Conference (MIC) through SRPO
2. SRPO schedules the MIC
3. SRPO conducts the MIC
4. NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract (NSROC) works with the PI to refine requirements and develops a cost estimate.
5. NSROC conducts the Requirements Definition Meeting
6. Design effort begins
7. NSROC conducts Design Review
8. Hardware fabrication
9. Payload Integration
10. Environmental Testing (T&E)
11. NSROC holds Mission Readiness Review
12. NSROC ships payload
12 a. Science Team Performs final instrument calisbration and post T&E checks
13. NSROC travel
13 a. Science team travels and ships instrument
14. Field integration and testing
15. Launch Operations
16. Data Distribution
17. PI Feedback
18. Mission Task Closeout
19. Fee determination during 6 month PEB