ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10288
Open Date: 23/04/2020
Closing Date: 18/06/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 20.129.07
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
Technology Domains: Life & Physical Sciences / Applied Life Science Technology / Application of Human Physiology Technologies
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Mechanical Department
Division: Mechatronics and Optics Division
Contract Officer: Magne-Lie, Karine
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 23/04/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

Develop and validate in-flight countermeasure (CM) technology to address medical problems and mission risks associated with fluid shifts and decreased orthostatic tolerance.Future exploration missions will comprise prolonged periods in microgravity (g) and planetary surface activities in low gravity (<1G) environments. Exposure to g leads to a headward shift of body fluids. This shift of fluids is associated with a number of well-known medical issues that must be addressed to guarantee safety and success of future planetary space explorations. Both a phenomenon referred to as SANS (NASA HRP: Risk of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome) and decreased orthostatic tolerance (NASA HRP: Risk of Orthostatic Intolerance During Re-Exposure to Gravity) are induced by this fluid shift and they have the potential to be mission-threatening when not mitigated adequately. Terrestrial analogue studies have shown that the combination of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and exercise have the potential to mitigate or even eliminate the effects of unloading-induced orthostatic deconditioning, and LBNP is also considered as a possible CM for SANS.ESA and NASA currently have no in-flight countermeasure (CM) for the development of orthostatic tolerance or headwards fluid-shifting with its associated medical symptoms. Consequently, to prepare themselves for re-exposure to gravity, Russian cosmonauts utilise LBNP in flight via the so-called CHIBIS suit. Two weeks before landing, cosmonauts are prescribed six to seven, 30-40 minute sessions at pressures ranging from -10 to -60 mmhg. However, CHIBIS is a cumbersome piece of hardware and cannot be combined with exercise or the majority of otherin-flight activities, resulting in CHIBIS use only resulting in temporary relief from headward fluid-shifting.This activity shall therefore focus on the design of a system able to optimize the use of the LBNP technique in space.This activity encompasses the following tasks: Requirements review and consolidation System design Procurement, manufacture and assembly; Functional testing (performance assessment and verification of the technical specifications): Flight concept.