ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10383
Open Date: 22/09/2020
Closing Date: 03/11/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 20.1EP.06
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
Products: Satellites & Probes / Materials / Metallic / Satellites & Probes / Materials / Non-metallic / Satellites & Probes / Power / Generation: Solar Photovoltaic ¿ C&P / Substrates, cover-glass, coatings, adhesives / Satellites & Probes / System Engineering Software / System Modelling & Simulation / Other / Satellites & Probes / Thermal Control / Thermal control – C&P / Coatings (black paints, sulphuric oxidation, aluminium, gold, …)
Technology Domains: Spacecraft Environments and Effects / Environment Effects / Ground and Space Effects Investigations
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Electrical Department
Division: Power Systems, EMC & Space Environ.Div
Contract Officer: Seynaeve, Christophe Rene R.
Industrial Policy Measure: C3 – Activities restricted to SMEs & R&D organisations, prefe…
Last Update Date: 22/09/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

Spacecraft charging (either surface or internal) is experienced to one degree or another by all spacecraft. The effects of high charging levels are electrostatic discharge and consequent damage to spacecraft equipment. Lower charging levels can also be a problem for scientific spacecraft because of the modification of the environment around the spacecraft and the interference of scientific measurements. As a result, simulations are used to make charging assessments as part of the spacecraft design process. Currently the lack of good material characterisation is a major problem in the accuracy of charging simulations. Some partial data are available, mostly from studies more than 20 years ago. This activity aims to build up a library of good material information by executing laboratory tests of common space materials, including as a minimum good characterisation of secondary and photoelectron emission and conductivity. As a related development, properties of existing materials with anti-static properties will be investigated. The activity shall look at charging mitigation strategies for surface and internal charging, in particular leaky insulators and the use of conformal coatings on floating metals. Procurement Policy: C(3) = Activity restricted to SMEs RD Entities. For additional information please go to EMITS news „Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes”.