ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9151
Open Date: 20/12/2017
Closing Date: 01/03/2018 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 17.1ET.08
Prog. Ref.: TRP
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – TRP
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: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / RF / Microwave Communication (Platform and Payloads) / Antennas / Omnidirectional, Helix, Horn, Parabolic, Phased Arrays / Platform vs Payload
Techology Domains: Electromagnetic Technologies and Techniques / Antennas / Array Antennas and Standalone Radiators
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Electrical Engineering Department
Division: RF Payloads & Technology Division
Contract Officer: Ferreol, Audrey
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 20/12/2017
Update Reason: Tender issue

Future Human Space Exploration requires dedicated communication system between Earth, human space exploration vehicle, space habitat and infrastructure elements like Data Relay Satellite (DRS).For the Moon exploration, the cis-lunar habitat orbiting around the moon in EML2 or NRO embarks a multi-beam X-band antenna.This multi-beam antenna should realize electronically steerable beams and multiple simultaneouscommunication links reducing the need for multiple on-board equipment and improving the mass, power and dimensionbudgets. At least three bidirectional beams are desirable for the TMTC link to Earth, communication with DRS and possibly moon surface elements and visiting vehicles. Depending on the mission needs, the design could be complex because of the different link budgetsand corresponding variable beam sizes associated to the multiple beams.Steering antennas in X-band have been developed for satellite communications. Nevertheless further development isneeded to reach the multi-beam capabilities with large field of view and steering capabilities according with the cis-lunarhabitat communication system. The antenna has potential application in other space missions’ communication systems where multiple links are needed in combination with mass, power and volume reduction.The activity includes the following tasks :. to get details on the most updated mission concept for the cis-lunar habitat and related TMTC and communication links to be realised in X-band.. to elaborate and consolidate antenna system requirements from the mission and system requirements. to carry out the rade-off and optimisation of the possible solutionsto minimise mass, volume and power consumption.. to assess the performance of the multi-beam steerable antenna with focus on steering capabilities and powerconsumption.. to manufacture and charactersize a fully representative breadboard

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