ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10709
Open Date: 08/11/2021 12:35 CEST
Closing Date: 08/02/2022 13:00 CEST

The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test a single piece part rotor of a reaction wheel optimised in structure, function and manufacturability by using cutting-edge technologies, including topology optimisation, advanced manufacturing and laser balancing techniques. Targeted Improvements:- Mass reduction of the rotor by 30%;- Increased robustness against launch loads.Description: The manufacturing of rotors for reaction wheels used in telecommunication satellites is labour intensive. Current rotors are built from multiple parts, such as rings and struts, which are all manually joined by screwing or gluing. This results in rotors with low inertia-to-mass ratio due to an unfavourable mass distribution due to limitations of conventional manufacturing processes, low stiffness and potential sliding interfaces resulting in overall lower static, dynamic and thermal stability. This activity will design a rotor for a reaction wheel exploiting the design freedom provided by advanced manufacturing techniques and combined with a suitable balancing technology. A rotor prototype shall be designed using state-of-the-art topology optimisation. The structure shall be maximised for stiffness, inertia and eigen frequency at minimum weight. The target is to build the rotor as a monolithic structure, with integrated functional parts such as motors or ball-bearing seats. Only minimal post-processing or machining shall be required. The rotor shall be optimised with respect to maximum motor performance (electro-magnetic optimisation) as well as minimum aerodynamic drag. Finally, the rotor shall be installed in an existing reaction wheel and the performance gains at wheel level shall be verified. Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to EMITS news “Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes”.

Directorate: Directorate Telecom Integrated Applica
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Florence Odette Jeanne Glandieres
Initiating Service: TIA-TTS
IP Measure: C1
Prog. Reference: E/0534-01G – CC-AT 4.0.1
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+BE+CA+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EL+ES+FI+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LU+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE
Technology Keywords: 5-D-III-AOCS/GNC Inertial and Magnetic Actuators / 24-B-IV-Advanced Materials Manufacture
Products Keywords: 2-A-1.1-d-Other