ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9608
Open Date: 21/12/2018
Closing Date: 15/02/2019 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 18.138.08
Prog. Ref.: GSTP Element 3 “Fly”
Budget Ref.: E/0904-630 – GSTP Element 3 “Fly”
Special Prov.: LU
Tender Type: C
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Other
Techology Domains: Others
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Systems Department
Division: Systems Engineering Division
Contract Officer: Ferreol, Audrey
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 21/12/2018
Update Reason: Tender issue

The M-ARGO IOD CubeSat mission is intended as a precursor to an operational capability for highly cost-effective in-situ resource exploration of the accessible NEO population using a future fleet of stand-alone deep space CubeSats.M-ARGO has been conceived by ESA as a highly innovative IOD mission with the objective to demonstrate the capability of CubeSat nano-spacecraft systems to independently explore deep space for the first time, in particular to rendezvous with a Near Earth Object (NEO) and characterise its physical properties for the presence of in-situ resources. The following advanced miniaturised technologies currently under development inEurope are mission-enabling: high specific impulse electric propulsion X-band deep space communications (transponder reflectarray high gain antenna) high power deployable solar array (steerable with Solar array drive mechanism) Rad hard/tolerant COTS avionics cold gas reaction control system advanced thermal control compact instrumentation (e.g. multispectral imager/navcam, laser altimeter, other)The objective of this Phase A study activity is to: define the M-ARGO IOD CubeSat mission/system requirementsand mission/system design concept with supporting trade-offs and analyses; identify suitable NEO targets and piggyback launch options; confirm the technical and operational feasibility; assess technical/operational risks and status of key technology developments;and provide ROM estimates of project cost-to-completion and schedule, prior to a follow-on design implementation phase (B/C/D/E).NOTE: This activity is currently in the GSTP Work Plan but will only be implemented after confirmation of financial support from Delegations. The final list of participating states will be known at tender issue.