ESA Open Invitation to Tender: 1-10936
Open Date: 02/02/2022 16:27 CEST
Closing Date: 29/04/2022 13:00 CEST

Objective: To develop a generic adaptive-optics (AO) building block to be used in optical ground stations (OGS). Targeted Improvements: More than tenfold increase in optical bandwidth and quantum key rate in satellite to ground based optical communication and quantum links. Commercial of-the-self adaptive optics systems (AOS) are not available Description: With the large increase in optical and quantum communication applications also the number of optical ground stations (OGS) deployed in ground based networks is increasing steadily. For high data reception efficiency cost effective and standardised adaptive optics systems (AOS) to combat the effects of atmospheric turbulence are required. Cost effectiveness and standardisation however are contradicting requirements because AOS -so far – need to be tailormade and adapted to the telescope at which they are operated. Relevant adaptation parameters are: the atmospheric seeing quality of the site where the telescope is located (determines the max strength ofturbulence that needs to be corrected). the aperture diameter of the telescope (determines the number of actuators required to correct the wave-front distortionandthe size and type of the wave-front sensor). the numerical aperture (NA) of the telescope (determines the optical and dimensionalinterface between telescope and adaptive optics).The objective of this activity is therefore to exploit the communalities in optical and quantum communication systems to design a generic AOS that can be installed on all telescopes classes with optical aperture diameters between 60 cm and 150 cm. The AOS will be built from commercial of-the-shelf (COTS) components (this includes all optics) to keep the cost down. The design will be such that AOS inherent optical wave-front impairments will be corrected by the dynamic range of the deformable mirror (and by a phase-plate if required). The AOS will operate in wavelength range covered by the optical C-band and L-band (adjustable as required) and will be supporting a quantum channel (800 nm – 850 nm). The design of the AOS will be generic, requiring the exchange of the collimator, filters, deformablemirror, lens-let array and wave-front sensor to adapt to different mission requirements and telescope apertures. The AOS will compensate tip/tilt and all higher order modes required for atmospheric Fried parameters down to 5 cm. It will be installed either at the Cassegrain focus (moving) or at the Nasmyth or Coud focus (stationary) of the telescope.

Estabilishment: ESTEC
ECOS Required: No
Classified: No
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Authorised Contact Person: Nathalie Dorval
Initiating Service: TIA-TO
IP Measure: N/A
Prog. Reference: E/0534-05A – OP-Other Act. Prod.
Tender Type: Open Competition
Open To Tenderers From: AT+BE+CA+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EL+ES+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LU+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE
Technology Keywords: 12-A-II-Ground TT&C and Payload Data Reception Antenna Systems
Products Keywords: 4-B-5-Ground Station Monitoring & Control