ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10914
Open Date: 14/07/2021 12:28 CEST
Closing Date: 22/09/2021 13:00 CEST

Different types of spacecraft cannot embark off-the-shelf antennae for Telemetry-Telecommand (TM-TC) and communication. Specifically, landers, rovers and descent/ascent vehicles apply stringent requirements on mass and envelope due to their inherent limitations on both. Astronaut communication devices apply requirements that are even more stringent.The communication architecture for lunar missions has known allocated frequencies, namely S- and UHF band for the low rate communication proximity link and Ka-band for high rate communication.In this framework, a miniaturised UHF-/Ka-band antenna capable to sustain both the high rate communication and the UHF lunar network link would bring the advantages of combining two systems (ability to connect End-to-End networks with the ensuing efficient hardware and network implementation). Yet, an antenna combining these particular frequencies does not currently exist.Itis foreseen to use the UHF band for near side link only, assuming the existence of a Lunar surface network with the option of implementing Internet of Things/Machine-to-Machine (IoT/M2M). The antenna design has therefore to consider IoT/M2M terminal usage in the context of a combined dual band antenna meeting the relevant spacecraft/lunar requirements.This activity encompasses the following tasks:- Consolidate the antenna requirements deriving from the lunar proximity link communication architecture;- Trade-off analysis of potential technologies and miniaturisation strategies addressing the consolidated requirements;- Design and manufacture of a Radio Frequency representative Breadboard,- Verification of RF performance against the established requirements.Procurement Policy: C(2) = A relevant participation (in terms of quality and quantity) of non-primes (incl. SMEs) is required. For additional information please go to this link.

Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. Quality
Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Anze Singer
Initiating Service: TEC-EFA
IP Measure: C2
Prog. Reference: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+BE+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EE+EL+ES+FI+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LU+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE
Technology Keywords: 7-A-III-Array Antennas and Standalone Radiators
Products Keywords: 2-L-1-a-Omnidirectional, Helix, Horn, Parabolic, Phased Arrays / Platform vs Payload