ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10679
Open Date: 16/07/2021 12:11 CEST
Closing Date: 12/10/2021 13:00 CEST

The objective of the activity is to develop and test a bearing technology leading to one order of magnitude lower emissions of micro-vibrations in comparison to conventional products used on communication platforms. A scaled engineering model of a reaction wheel implementing the developed technology will be designed, manufactured and tested to evaluate the micro-vibration performance. Targeted Improvements: Micro-vibration emission reduction by one order of magnitude without resorting to the use of external damping systems.Description: Many optical satellite communication applications require a platform, which is free of mechanical noise (micro-vibration). Existing solutions to reduce micro-vibrations include: passive isolation systems, which add volume, mass and complexity to the satellite platform, and cold gas systems for attitude control instead of reaction wheels, which are much more expensive and havelimited life time and increased complexity. A variety of concepts to reduce micro-vibrations have been demonstrated successfully interrestrial applications. However, none have yet been further developed into a space qualified product in Europe. In this activity a holistic approach shall be taken to eliminate the sources of micro-vibration by design. Several concepts of bearing technologies shallbe studied and the most promising concept shall be selected for further development. A scaled engineering model of a reaction wheelshall be manufactured and tested. Critical functions to be shown are robust operation with representative mechanical loading over long operating periods. Specifically, the activity shall focus on innovative alternatives to classical angular contact ball bearing units, such as the following concepts:- advanced ball bearing systems (e.g. full or hybrid ceramic bearings or arrangements, such asdual-duplex bearings);- internal visco-elastic damping system at bearing level;- optimisation of the mechanical design or application of dedicated damping material (e.g. tuned mass dampers);- hybrid-magnetic bearings (i.e. passive magnetic and mechanical support bearing);- active-magnetic bearings (2-, 3- or 5- axis actively controlled magnetic bearings);- gas bearings.ProcurementPolicy: 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: > 500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Claudia Ria Piesche
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
Products Keywords: 2-A-2-a-Wheels (Momentum, Reaction)