ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10343
Open Date: 06/05/2020
Closing Date: 01/07/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 20.1EP.04
Prog. Ref.: GSTP Element 1 Dev
Budget Ref.: E/0904-611 – GSTP Element 1 Dev
Special Prov.: IT
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Power / Generation: Solar Photovoltaic / Photovoltaic Assemblies / Satellites & Probes / Power / Generation: Solar Photovoltaic ¿ BB / Solar Cells Assemblies (SCA) with inter-connectors and coverglass / Satellites & Probes / Power / Generation: Solar Photovoltaic ¿ BB / Structural/mechanical (rigid honeycomb panels, flexible blankets, …)
Technology Domains: Spacecraft Electrical Power / Power Generation Technologies / Photovoltaic Generator Technology
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Electrical Department
Division: Power Systems, EMC & Space Environ.Div
Contract Officer: Erkelens-Sickinger, Franziska
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 06/05/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

Cost targeted solar arrays compared to standard rigid solar arrays are powergrowth, flexibility, saving in mass, stowed volume and costs with consequently global competitiveness. They become the future for the next generation of space solar generators able to power missions driven by electrical propulsion from LEO to GEO, MEO, HEEO Highly Elliptic Earth Orbits, Escape and GT Orbits. To cover the gap with US market, where major satellites primes are now developing and even flying versatile arrays, it is necessary to consider in Europe an activity aimed at defining the preliminary design of such a solar panel module and to the manufacturing and testing of a solar array substrate breadboard of the most critical elements. Thus, the lower European TRL is going to increase. This activity, referred hereafter as the Low Cost Solar Panel module, aims to study, design and develop a solar panel with PVA and the main interface to satellite mechanisms having the above-described characteristics of design flexibility and low-cost.The aim of this activity is to analyze and experimental verify the PVA, panel substrates and mechanisms necessary to develop an ultra-light and low cost solar array able to sustain electrical propulsion for a very wide scenario of missions (LEO, GEO, MEO, HEEO, ESCAPE and GT Orbits). The power budget requirement results in at least 10 kW BOL @ 100 V bus.Hence the need for an innovative approach that shall putin place in order to significantly reduce solar panels recurring costs, up to a reference value of 250-300k/kW. The targeted power/volume ratio shall be equal or better than 25 KW/m3.