ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10008
Open Date: 27/08/2019
Closing Date: 22/10/2019 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 19.1ET.33
Prog. Ref.: Technology Developme
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+PL+EE+HU
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / RF / Microwave Communication (Platform and Payloads) / “Communication – BB (Antennas excluded)” / Analog: Power amplifiers (SSPA, TWTA, ¿)
Technology Domains: RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Technologies and Equipment / Vacuum Electronics
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Electrical Department
Division: RF Payloads & Technology Division
Contract Officer: Karl, Heinz-Uwe
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 27/08/2019
Update Reason: Tender issue

New scientific missions require Ka-Band high power sources for the data return. Limitation on maximum antenna size and minimum required data rate can be overcome by increasing the transmitted power. At present, there is no off the shelf TWT(A) in the allocated frequency band (31800-32300 MHz) in Europe with 120W saturated output power. Instead, a 250W TWT in the range 17700 – 20200 MHz is under qualification and the feasibility of 100W TWT in the range 37500 – 42500 MHz has been recently demonstrated by test in a breadboard. These two TWTs represent the starting point for the new development. The new TWT shall consider the use of EPCs at TRL 5-6 or higher.