ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9967
Open Date: 08/04/2020
Closing Date: 03/06/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 19.112.16
Prog. Ref.: GSTP Element 1 Dev
Budget Ref.: E/0904-611 – GSTP Element 1 Dev
Special Prov.: DE+FR
Tender Type: C
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Products: Launchers / Software / System Engineering SW (for operational Ground SW see Segment III) / System Modelling & Simulation (Aerothermodynamic Tools for Design, Environment, …)
Technology Domains: Space Debris / Modelling and Risk Analysis / Reentry Risks
Establishment: ESOC
Directorate: Directorate of Operations
Department: Space Safety Programme Office
Division: Space Debris Office
Contract Officer: Roettger, Sabine
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 08/04/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

On the 22nd of November 2016, ESAs AVUM upper stage that was used on the first qualification flight of the VEGA rocket, launched in 2012, underwent a destructive uncontrolled re-entry. This resulted in the creation of at least 2 fragmented tanks which impacted in South India. Finding such objects is rare: only 71 events (first one for ESA) of this kind are confirmed after 60 years of spaceflight and nearly 7000 re-entries. Having such objects in combination with detailed orbital observations close to the re-entry epoch opens the option of rebuilding the break-up sequence with predictive models.The first objective of this activity is to create a faithful numerically rebuild of the re-entry trajectory and break-up sequence of ESA’s AVUM VV01 (VEGA upper stage), which re-entered the atmosphere after four years in orbit. The availability of the numerical rebuild of the event leads to the second objective of the activity, which is to calibrate re-entry risk verification tools and procedures in light of the observational evidence, quantify the remaining uncertainties on the physics implemented in such simulation tools, and establish procedures for on-ground component testing with maximum flight representatives.