ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-11309
Open Date: 08/04/2022 11:31 CEST
Closing Date: 03/06/2022 13:00 CEST

Mars orbiter missions are revealing possible widespread ground ice deposits in the near-subsurface at mid-latitudes. These remote observations of an abundant, valuable, and accessible resource have important implications for future human mission planning. However, first-hand measurements will need to be made in-situ to confirm the availability and use ability of this potential resource before sending crewed missions to these locations. This Pre-Phase A study follows on ESA internal work to define a Mars surface mission concept to close strategic knowledge gaps related to the presence and characteristics of ground ice for in-situ resource utilisation. The scope of this study includes an assessment of mission level requirements and definition of the complete mission design to Pre-Phase A level. The procurement will be open competition to all industrial entities, ensuring an open competitive approach preparing further steps. Parallel contracts are foreseen in case of competitive complementary proposals. Furthermore, the participation of SME’s will be encouraged.

Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. Quality
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Maxime Nicolas Gislain Guy
Initiating Service: TEC-SF
IP Measure: N/A
Prog. Reference: E/0600-05 – Preparation Element
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+BE+CA+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EE+EL+ES+FI+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LT+LU+LV+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE+SI