ESA Open Invitation To Tender AO8861
Open Date: 20/12/2016
Closing Date: 10/02/2017 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 16.129.20
Prog. Ref.: TRP
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – TRP
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
Products: Satellites & Probes / Payloads / Instruments / Optical Instruments / Optical Telescopes / Techology Domains:     Optics / Optical Component Technology and Materials / Optical Bench and Mounting Technologies
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Technical & Quality Manag
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department
Division: Mechatronics and Optics Division
Contract Officer: Strzelecki, Patryk Michal
Industrial Policy Measure: C3 – Activities restricted to SMEs & R&D organisations, prefe…
Last Update Date: 20/12/2016
Update Reason: Tender issue

Many astronomical space missions observe at wavelengths which are absorbed by the atmosphere, as for example some infrared, ultraviolet or x-ray bands. Especially UV and x-ray optics have very stringent alignment tolerances due to the small wavelengths. Consequently, telescopes and instruments can only be tested at their operational wavelengths under vacuum conditions. Traditional methods for fixing optical elements and subassemblies (e.g. gluing, soldering, welding, laser based methods) are executed under atmospheric conditions and by using reference interfaces or other wavelengths to ensure their correct alignment. Being able to perform critical alignment steps under vacuum conditions at the design wavelengths would be the most direct and accurate way and reduce risks associatedwith indirect alignment methods or using in-flight mechanisms for alignment corrections.The activity shall develop and test novel technologies for the alignment, assembly and integration of optical assemblies under vacuum.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”.

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