ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-11059
Open Date: 02/12/2021 09:06 CEST
Closing Date: 10/02/2022 13:00 CEST

NITROSAT is one of the four candidate mission concepts for the eleventh Earth Explorer (EE-11), approved by PBEO at its meeting of 10 June 2021 (ref. ESA/PB-EO(2021)37). Nitrosat will measure two of the most important reactive nitrogen (Nr) compounds, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ammonia (NH3). Human activity has fundamentally changed the global nitrogen cycle. “Nitrogen fixation”, i.e. the production of Nr from molecular N2, has been accelerated enormously through the production of synthetic fertilizers and the combustion of fossil fuels. As a result, agriculture has become the dominant source of Nr in the form of NH3, and fuel combustion by traffic, industry and households has become the dominant source of nitrogen oxides NOx (=NO + NO2) to the atmosphere. NOx and NH3 are at the root of a wide range of environmental problems. While NOx emissions have been reduced successfully in many countries, NH3 emissions from agriculture have remained almost unchanged in recent decades. The mission has good potential therefore to contribute to societally important applications and environmental policy. Nitrosat will measure the two compounds at high spatial resolution which will enable the detection and quantification of individual sources, which so far has not been possible, or only in a very limited way, withexisting satellites like TROPOMI or IASI, both measuring at much coarser resolution. The procurement in subject includes the Phase 0 system studies and Phase A system studies which will be performed through a phased contract. Subject to reception of good quality proposals, it is intended to place two parallel contracts. Phase 0: the Phase 0 system study will cover all elements of the mission architecture: space segment (platforms and instruments), ground segments, operations and exploitation concepts. These studies will be based on the Agency’s Statement of Work (SoW) and the Mission Assumptions and preliminary Technical Requirements (MATER). Riskretirement activities will also be identified and initiated within the frame of the study, to raise TRL of critical technologies. The expected duration of the Phase 0 system studies is 14 months from kick-off to final approval of all deliverables. The results of the Phase 0 will be used as input for the down selection of two EE-11 missions out of four to progress to phase A. If the mission is selected the second phase of the contract will be initiated, otherwise the contract will be terminated. Phase A: The Phase A system study will address all elements of the mission architecture, namely space segment (platform and payload), ground segment, mission operations and exploitation. The Phase A system study will be based on the Statement of Work (SoW) applicable from the beginning of the contract and the System Requirements Document (SRD) established by ESA and consolidated at the end of the phase 0. Relevant technology pre-developments will be initiated within the frame of the study, to raise TRL of critical technologies, with the aim to reach TRL 4 by the end of phase A, and with a final goal to reach TRL 5 by the end of phase B1. The expected duration of the Phase A system studies is 14 months from kick-off to final approval of all deliverables. The results of the Phase A will be used as input for the down selection of one EE-11 mission out of the remaining two to progress to phase B1. It is expected that Phase B1 will be placed as a rider to the Phase 0/A contract of the EE-11 mission selected for implementation.

Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Ana Doblas
Initiating Service: EOP-8M
IP Measure: N/A
Prog. Reference: E/A104-01 – FoundConcept Block 1; E/0600-05 – Preparation Element; E/A104-01 – FoundConcept Block 1
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+BE+CA+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EE+EL+ES+FI+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LT+LU+LV+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE+SI
Technology Keywords: 8-C-I-Design and Simulation
Products Keywords: 2-I-3-b-Imaging spectrometers