ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9369
Open Date: 25/06/2018
Closing Date: 14/09/2018 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 18.129.06
Prog. Ref.: Technology Developme
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+PL+EE+HU
Tender Type: C
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Techology Domains: Life & Physical Sciences / Applied Life Science Technology / Application of Human Physiology Technologies
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department
Division: Mechatronics and Optics Division
Contract Officer: Magne-Lie, Karine
Industrial Policy Measure: C3 – Activities restricted to SMEs & R&D organisations, prefe…
Last Update Date: 25/06/2018
Update Reason: Tender issue

Future human space exploration, including missions to the Moon and beyond, will require a paradigm shift in the current approach toin-flight exercise countermeasures, particularly when it comes to exercise devices. Exploration vehicles will be significantly smaller, requiring exercise hardware to be smaller, lighter and less complex than current devices, and ideally multi-functional, capableof stressing both the musculoskeletal (MSK) system and the cardiovascular (CV) system. Providing sufficient stress to the MSK system within these constraints will be a particular challenge, as the system responds most effectively to high loads (and loading rates for bone), which are achieved through both external loading and impact forces. Concepts for delivering high external loads and impact forces exist, and range in complexity from simple jump sleds capable of achieving impact forces of 3-5 times body weight during jumping exercise to electrical motor-driven devices to create high levels of resistance loading. These are, however, only examples, and should not constrain proposed solutions. Planetary surface exploration will pose similar challenges, and, although partial gravity environments, it is highly likely that the forces and loads on the body will be insufficient to prevent MSK and CV deconditioning. Work is underway to better understand the likely extent of physiological deconditioning during prolonged stays in partial gravity,and considering the technical challenges (e.g. limited resources and re-supply, closed loop habitat) of surface habitation, creative exercise countermeasure solutions will be required to ensure the safety and performance of astronauts conducting long-term operations. The current set of exercise hardware used on ISS, although increasingly effective, is not suitable for the unique constraints of future space explorations vehicles and planetary surface habitats. The proposed activity shall therefore target the design, testing and validation of a compact and multipurpose countermeasure system able to comply with upcoming exploration mission requirements. It shall include a review of previous related activities (e.g. Integrated Countermeasure System contracts) to come up with an innovative and effective concept. The development path is then standard, including – background review, – requirements collection (user and system), – design production, testing, clinical validation with trials, flight model first concept. At the end of the activity,it is expected to get a prototype for a lightweight, multiuse exercise device with the capability to adequately stress both the MSKand cardiovascular systems, suitable for a small exploration (transit) vehicle, cislunar station and planetry habitat. In addition to vehicle constraints, hardware and software solutions will address the needs : – for simple, autonomous utilisation, including data capture, storage and visualisation; – to minimise resource use and by product creation (e.g. heat, carbon dioxide).Procurement Policy: C(3) = Activity restricted to SMEs RD Entities. For additional information please go to EMITS news “Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes”.

If you wish to access the documents related to the Invitation to Tender, you have to log in to the ESA Portal.