ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-11282
Open Date: 11/03/2022 14:29 CEST
Closing Date: 30/05/2022 13:00 CEST

Objective: The objective of this activity is to design the antenna mating interface, to develop a reduced scale mock-up of the antenna and central body and to perform dynamic testing (including contact). Targeted Improvements: Enable in-orbit antenna assembly. Description: Future satellites will require narrower beams for significant communications capacity enhancement, but very large solid reflectors do not fit into existing launchers. In-orbit antenna assembly may unlock this leap in performance by enabling the mating of larger antennas to platforms in low Earth orbit or geostationary orbit. Similar concepts are needed and are being developed for in-orbit servicing. Contact dynamics are very difficult to model, and feasibility demonstration requires implementation of the critical elements and dynamic testing of the mating or demating process. A breadboard of a guidance, navigation and control system and mechanism will be designed and manufactured. Dynamic testing will be performed to validate the concept.

Directorate: Directorate Telecom Integrated Applica
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Audrey Ferreol
Initiating Service: TIA-TTS
IP Measure: N/A
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-B-II-GNC Technologies for Cruise, Rendezvous and Docking or Capture
Products Keywords: 2-A-3-c-Other