NASA's office of communications is asking for input from potential "collaborators" to create activities or other endeavors to engage the public on the future of its operations.
In a synopsis floated this month, NASA said it wants to hear from potential partners for collaborative activities with no exchange of funds that "can communicate the next step for U.S. space and aeronautics after the Space Shuttle era."
NASA said it will keep the solicitation of proposals open for three years and review responses monthly, starting in July.
The space agency, which is currently facing its three-year reauthorization in Congress for the fiscal 2014 budget, got a PR boost from President Barack Obama in April with a $17.B budget request that would fund an effort to "lasso" an asteroid for study.
After the Space Shuttle program was shuttered in July 2011, NASA is turning to a "new era of exploration that includes scientific missions throughout our solar system in preparation for expanded and long-duration human spaceflight," along with critical climate monitoring data and developments for the aviation industry.
NASA has posted details and contact info for the request on its website at https://1.usa.gov/10RV43T.
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