ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10565
Open Date: 04/08/2021 12:42 CEST
Closing Date: 30/09/2021 13:00 CEST

The objectives of this activity are: Characterise intrinsic thermos-physical properties of space grade glasses. Characterise behaviour of space grade glasses in plasma wind tunnel. Evaluate and justify the potential fragmentation behaviour of ceramic optical payloads during atmospheric re-entry. Assess the potential reaction of materials during re-entry (especially Aluminium and Titanium alloys).Ceramic and glass materials as well as multi-material structures behaviour during uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry events need to be characterized.Ceramic materials (sic) show great resistance to the Plasma Wind Tunnel (PWT) conditions. The potential fragmentation of ceramic structures can increase significantly the casualty risk of re-entry events. This is key for the estimation of the on-ground casualty risk of Satellites with optical payloads. Furthermore the behaviour of glass materials in a re-entry flow, today modelled as metals, requires characterization and modelling.Another major uncertainty is the potential reaction between materials, e.g. Ejecta of surrounding metallic materials (analysis of re-entered tank might suggest that a reaction between Aluminum alloy and Titanium alloy might occur during re-entry), metallic frames and electronic boards.The tasks foreseen during this activity are the following:- PWT and thermo-physical tests at material level to characterise the complete portfolio of ceramics and glasses used by European Space Industry.- PWT tests at shapes and structural level to determine the potential fragmentation induced by thermal stresses.- Implement fragmentation and demise mechanisms/behaviours in re-entry models.- Recommendations for the design of ceramic parts taking into account re-entry requirements.- Investigate reaction between multi-material structures in Plasma environment.- Test critical materials and structures foreseen to be used by LEO ESA mission.- ESTIMATE database shall be populated with the material and structures properties.Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to this link.

Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. Quality
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Gian Lorenzo Casini
Initiating Service: TEC-MSP
IP Measure: C1
Prog. Reference: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+BE+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EE+EL+ES+FI+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LU+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE
Technology Keywords: 24-B-III-Characterisation and Feedback / 24-D-I-Interaction of Materials with the Space Environment / 24-E-IV-Thermal Analysis of Materials
Products Keywords: 2-C-1-Metallic / 2-H-1-a-Connecting parts (nuts, bolts, etc), Separating parts (springs, cutters, etc), Spacing Parts, Bearing Parts, Control Parts (gears)