Here's an announcement of interest to lunar ISRU researchers:

Request for Interest (RFI): JSC-1A Lunar Simulant Testbed

General Information
Selected to serve as an Allied Organization by the NASA Centennial Challenges Program, the California Space Education and Workforce Institute (CSEWI) administers the Regolith Excavation Challenge. The Regolith Excavation Challenge is Co-Hosted by the California Space Authority (CSA).

CSEWI acquired 8 tons of JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant and a “sandbox” in which to conduct the Regolith Excavation Challenge and is planning to use this 8 tons of simulant and sandbox in 2008.

In order to maximize its educational, scientific, and engineering value, CSEWI is seeking parties interested in potentially utilizing the simulant and sandbox (testbed) for system operation testing. This opportunity is intended for the entire lunar in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) community and teams interested in competing for the 2008 Regolith Excavation Challenge. Types of system testing might include dust exposure resilience, excavation efficiency, and lunar surface mobility.

Purpose of RFI
CSEWI is seeking interest in the opportunity to utilize the testbed on a fee for service basis. CSEWI’s ability to execute this plan will be based on interest indicated by responses to this RFI, and the number of early commitments.

Scope
Response to this RFI does not obligate any party for any payments, products or services.

Details of Opportunity
The testbed will be located in Santa Maria, California, in the April/May 2008 time frame. The final schedule will be determined based on demand and availability. A total of two months of availability is envisioned. User fees have been estimated to be between $2,500 and $4,000 USD per day, based upon an 8 hour day, and would include initial testbed setup and re-compaction services. Logistical and safety limitations will apply in order to maintain the integrity and quantity of the simulant and protect people, resources and property. Only one party will be able to use the testbed per day.

Response Instructions
If you are potentially interested in paying for use of the testbed, as described, please contact Nick Pelster (nick.pelster@californiaspaceauthority.org) no later than Feb 15, 2008. A decision to proceed and final schedule with the testbed will be made in late February.