ESA Open Invitation To Tender AO8951
Open Date: 05/04/2017
Closing Date: 20/06/2017 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 17.1TT.69
Prog. Ref.: CC for Advanced Tech
Budget Ref.: E/0505-01C – CC for Advanced Tech
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+CA
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Power / Storage: Fuel cells / Satellites & Probes / Propulsion / Chemical Propulsion ¿ BB / Tanks *See Structures / Satellites & Probes / Propulsion / Electric Propulsion ¿ BB / Other
Techology Domains: Spacecraft Electrical Power / Energy Storage Technologies / Mechanical Technology for Energy Storage / Propulsion / Chemical Propulsion Technologies / Liquid Propulsion Systems / Propulsion / Advanced Propulsion / Solar Thermal Propulsion Systems / Structures / Advanced Structural Concepts and Materials / Design and Verification Technologies
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate Telecom & Integrated Applica
Department: Telecom Technologies,Product&Systems Dep
Division: Technologies and Product Division
Contract Officer: Melliger, Erich
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 05/04/2017
Update Reason: Tender issue

Objective: The objective of this activity is to use the satellite structure as a storage area.Targeted Improvements: The benefit would be to reduce or remove the need for tanks on board leading to significant mass savings.Description: A multi-functional structure can lead to a significant mass savings. By merging other sub-system elements into the satellite structure, and using the inherent strength of these parts, the satellite structure mass can be reduced.In a previous ESA study, Multifunctional Structure For Hydrogen Storage (ARTES 5 contract n° 17436,2004 ) investigating regenerative fuel cell systems and hydrogen storage for large satellites, the use of tanks as structural elements was identified as a promising way to significantly decrease the mass of the platform. Sucha concept could also be applied to other subsystems.The most promising candidate combinations for multifunctional structures whichact as mechanical support and reactant storage will be identified and studied. The mechanical properties will be derived from testing the best combinations.The proposed Work logic is the following:Reactant/Carrier Analysis:- Review of applications in the propulsion and power supply areas that make use of liquid or gaseous reactants (Fuel, Oxygen, Helium, Xenon, etc.);I- Investigation of storage methods (cavities, chemical storage, etc.);- Analyse which of the reactants can be stored using which storage methods withinwhich structural elements,Testing of Material Properties:- Define generic structural elements (rods, plates, etc.)- Identify themost relevant reactant/carrier combinations- Define and run tests to find the relevant mechanical properties of these candidate combinations inside such structural elements.

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