ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10460
Open Date: 26/08/2020
Closing Date: 20/10/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 20.133.08
Prog. Ref.: GSTP Element 1 Dev
Budget Ref.: E/0904-611 – GSTP Element 1 Dev
Special Prov.: DE+BE
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Launchers / Structures / Stage structures / Intestages, skirts, thrust frame / Launchers / Structures / Fairing / Launchers / Structures / Structures – BB / Structural joints, dampers, interfaces support, interface rings / Satellites & Probes / Structures / Primary Structures / atellites & Probes / Structures / Structures – BB / Structural joints
Technology Domains: System Design & Verification / System Verification and AIT / Advanced AIT Methods / Materials and Processes / Non-Destructive Inspection / Quality, Dependability and Safety / Product and Quality Assurance / Product Assurance Processes for Flight and Ground Systems
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Mechanical Department
Division: Structure, Mechanisms & Materials Div.
Contract Officer: Reinsoo, Anna
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 26/08/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

The objective of the proposed activity is to develop a Smart NDT system that is able to evaluate the geometry of complex shape polymer matrix composite structures, select the appropriate NDT methods required and perform the NDT onthe critical features of the structure. The technology solutions used for metrology and NDT shall be existing in the commercial market and mature, needing minimum development to function apart from modifications necessary to integrate them into the working Smart NDT system. The maturity of the overall Smart NDT system shall be increased to TRL-6. The study shall address a composite assembly characterized by double curved CFRP and/or CFRP/honeycomb-core components assembled via bonded and/or bolted joints. These assemblies shall contain superposed geometric deviations and embedded defects, representative of real life cases. The Smart NDT system shall autonomously assess the geometry and features of the components and assembly with minimum input from the operator; identify deviations from the design tolerances anduse the measured geometric information to inspect the parts and joints and identify the minimum allowed damages and manufacturing-defects for the selected structures aiming at 90% POD and minimum 95% confidence. AI tools shall be employed to perform the automaticevaluation of the structures, identify and quantify deviations and non-conformities. Conventional SoA metrology and NDT methods shall be used as benchmark to validate the Smart NDT system. The project shall close with a final analysis of the outcomes and future exploitation scenarios in function of possible industrial applications. The project is divided in two technical parts: part (1) that consists in the development of the sub-systems using sub-component RDAs and part (2) that consists in the sub-systems integration and validation on the reference assembly with representative defects.