NASA has obtained access to a variety of airborne platforms, with proven performance histories in conducting airborne science research and range support to include radar surveillance and telemetry relay capability. These aircraft are able to accommodate light and heavy-lift instrumentation payloads, on fixed wing and lighter-than-air craft. Both manned and unmanned aerial platform systems have been chosen to support the NASA Suborbital Science Program of the Science Mission Directorate activities supporting the NASA Strategic Plan. These services will occasionally be conducted in partnerships with other NASA collaborative partners such as the Interagency Coordinating Committee for Airborne Geosciences Research and Application. This project will be managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center’s Wallops Flight Facility (GSFC’s WFF), though the missions are conducted at various locations within and occasionally outside the United States.

On February 5, 2008, NASA, GSFC, Wallops Flight Facility awarded Theiss Aviation, Inc. a five year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to support the NASA Suborbital Science Program missions. Theiss Aviation, Inc. shall provide Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) services to meet the NASA science requirements. These missions may require over-the-horizon capabilities. These UAS’s will be used as remote sensing or in-situ measurement platforms in support of various NASA projects or missions, or other U.S. Government missions, such as instrument development and scientific applications with specific research goals and objectives.