ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10141
Open Date: 10/03/2020
Closing Date: 06/05/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 19.133.21
Prog. Ref.: GSTP Element 1 Dev
Budget Ref.: E/0904-611 – GSTP Element 1 Dev
Special Prov.: LU+FR
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Structures / Structures – BB / Structural joints / Satellites & Probes / Materials / Non-metallic
Technology Domains: Structures / Advanced Structural Concepts and Materials / Design and Verification Technologies / Materials and Processes / Novel Materials and Materials Technology Includes materials not yet used in space but presenting potential interest. / Material Assessment / Materials and Processes / Materials Processes / Joining / Materials and Processes / Materials Processes / Coating / Materials and Processes / Materials Processes / Advanced Materials Manufacture
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Mechanical Department
Division: Structure, Mechanisms & Materials Div.
Contract Officer: Reinsoo, Anna
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 10/03/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

Objective(s) of the Activity: This activity is devoted to demonstrate superior performances of adhesive bonded joints of adherents treated with plasma technology compared to adherents treated with conventional technologies. Furthermore, the technology needs tobe matured up to TRL 5 for space application, i.e. adhesive bonded joint critical function verification in a relevant space environment. The work to be performed under this activity consists in the following tasks:1) Review and selection of the applications and material configurations for which the process will be applied and definition of requirements. The review shall include a wide range of bonding configurations relevant to space applications.2) Definition of the surface preparation process for each of the identified material configurations. 3) Screening of the selected configurations. The most promising material configurations will be selected for further process optimization and characterization activities. The selected joint configurations shall include, as a minimum, astructural joint and a functional joint.4) Process optimization. 5) Characterization of the joint specimens to demonstrate compliance with the requirements established at the beginning of the activity and highlight improvement resulting from the application of the plasma treatment, compared to current surface preparation solutions.