ESA Open Invitation To Tender AO8301
Open Date: 06/05/2015
Closing Date: 17/06/2015

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 15.133.03
Prog. Ref.: TRP
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – TRP
Special Prov.: B+DK+F+D+I+NL+E+S+CH+GB+IRL+A+N+FIN+POR+GR+LUX+CZ+RO+PL
Tender Type: C
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Technical & Quality Manag
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department
Division: Structure and Mechanisms Division
Contract Officer: Wesolowski, Szymon
Last Update Date: 06/05/2015
Update Reason: Tender issue

Preliminary analyses have shown that space objects in LEO with masses above 500 kg might imply an on-ground casualty risk higher than 10-4 in case of uncontrolled re-entry and requires therefore dedicated detailed analyses to determine the need to perform a controlled re-entry. Performing a controlled re-entry has a major impact at system level, requiring sometimes the full re-design of the spacecraft and important losses of performance for upper stages. Design for Demise is the intentional design of spacecraft hardware such that the spacecraft will completely ablate (demise) upon uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry during post-mission disposal. It is apromising technology to minimise the risk on-ground and that can help to avoid the need for controlled re-entry. This activity aimsat raising the TRL of specific equipment, materials or technologies identified in the precursor studies as critical to the implementation of Design for Demise in future missions. The validation of the proposed concepts and design changes shall be done through thedevelopment of prototypes and/or breadboards to perform the required testing. While the previous activities will provide a system level overview of the potential impact/use of the different Design for Demise techniques, this activity will focus on the validation of specific technologies and therefore a multi-disciplinary team with all the relevant experts shall be involved to guarantee that all the necessary requirements are taken into consideration.

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