EXPERT: MSR SAMPLE FETCH ROVER PHASE A/B1 STUDY
16, February 2018

ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9214
Open Date: 09/02/2018
Closing Date: 23/03/2018 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 17.1MS.13
Prog. Ref.: ExPeRT MarsX;General Studies
Budget Ref.: E/0116-11M – ExPeRT MarsX;E/0600-00 – General Studies
Special Prov.: AT+BE+CH+CZ+DE+DK+ES+FR+GB+GR+IE+IT+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE+CA
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / AOCS & GNC / Guidance Navigation Control (GNC) / Other / Satellites & Probes / On-board Data Management / On Board Data Management / Central Data Management Units (CDMU) or Satellite Management Units (SMU) / Satellites & Probes / Mechanisms / Mechanisms ¿ BB / Other / Satellites & Probes / Power / Storage: Batteries / Satellites & Probes / Thermal Control / Thermal control – BB / Other
Techology Domains: Automation, Telepresence & Robotics / Applications and Concepts / Planetary Exploration / Automation, Telepresence & Robotics / Automation & Robotics Systems / Manipulation Systems / Automation, Telepresence & Robotics / Automation & Robotics Systems / Mobility Systems / Automation, Telepresence & Robotics / Automation & Robotics Components and Technologies / Control, Autonomy and Intelligence / Automation, Telepresence & Robotics / Automation & Robotics Components and Technologies / Robot Ground Testing
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Dir of Human & Robotic Exploration Prog.
Department: Exploration Group
Contract Officer: Arrabal, Pablo
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 09/02/2018
Update Reason: Tender issue

The Phase A study will be implemented with the following objectives: Critical review and consolidation of the mission and systemrequirements Definition of the SFR mission architecture and preliminary design of the fetch rover Functional analysis of the SFR mission Conduct tradeoff studies and select the preferred system concept, together with the preferredtechnical solution(s) for this concept Perform specific engineering tasks addressing the key mission and system design drivers, inter alia, traversability analysis for the Mars2020 candidate landing sites, subsystem design and operations concept definition for sample fetching, concept definition for rover operations, autonomy and FDIR requirement definition, and development of operational tool simulator Preliminary definition of the interfaces between SFR and SRL, Sample Tubes, Sample Handling Mechanism, Mars Ascent Vehicle as well as Mars Orbiter Preliminary definition of interfaces on-board the fetch rover and towards the ground segment Establishing the necessary documentation for the PRR as required by ECSS. Assess the technical and programmatic feasibility of the possible concepts Consolidation of critical technology activities Risk analysis including risk mitigation options Preliminary identification of potential subcontractors in the implementation phase for the procurement of ESA provisions Preliminary overall cost estimateIndustry support to ESA for interaction with NASA.The phase A will be concluded with a Preliminary Requirements Review (PRR).Following the successful PRR, the Phase B1 study will be performed with the following objectives: Consolidation of the baseline overall system design based on the outcome of the PRR Finalize the project management, engineering, development and product assurance plans (incl. planetary protection and rover disposal) Elaborate and consolidate technical solution(s) for the system and operations concept(s) and their feasibility with respect to programmatic constraints Establish a preliminary design definition for the selected system concept and retained technical solution(s) Elaborate and consolidate system and subsystem design specifications Identify key elements for the Request for Information (RFI) campaign Elaborate and consolidate the internal and external interfaces Determine the verification and validation plan Identify potential additional predevelopment work on critical technologies Elaborate and consolidate the Procurement Plan Update the risk assessment, perform RFI campaign, establish the baseline master schedule Elaborate the baseline cost at completion Continued industry support to ESA for interaction with NASA.Considering the operational challenges, tight timeline and extreme mass-limitations for the rover, no scientificpayload is currently foreseento be accommodated on the rover.As part of the phase A/B1 system study, breadboarding activities addressing the critical elementsof the rover shall also be conducted. A functional breadboard of a high-mobility rover, of the sample tube handling tool and of thefunctional co-processor board for autonomous navigation and fetching (based on European FPGA technology) shall be prepared. It shall also integrate a robotic arm (e.g from the DELIAN TRP activity or other and sample tube handling tool.The breadboarding and TRL raising activities shall include the following tasks: Preliminary design of breadboards for the rover functions Detailed design of breadboards, co-design of the hardware and software for the co-processor board Manufacturing, assembly and unit testing Integration of the rover functional breadboard, relevant TRL tests including Mars analogue field trials.

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