Funding
This page displays the ARTES Invitation To Tenders (ITTs) which are published on ESA-STAR. If you are looking for a specific element select from the list provided and click on the Apply button to start the search and display the results.
Funding of the individual Prime or subcontractors, for ARTES Core Competitiveness and ARTES Applications activities, is subject to authorisation of the required ARTES budget by the related National Delegations. Therefore, bidding teams are requested to inform their National Delegation(s) of their intention to participate in funded activities already before submitting a proposal.
The official information platform for providing potential bidders all the relevant documentation and details concerning the intended and issued Invitations To Tender (ITTs) for Open Competitions and Direct Negotiations is ESA-STAR - managed and operated by the ESA Procurement Department.
DISRUPTIVE SATCOM SYSTEMS DESIGN WITH DIGITAL GENERATIVE DESIGN (ARTES FPE 1A.127) - EXPRO PLUS
Generative Design is an iterative design process that uses optimisation theory and artificial intelligence to explore a range of design solutions based on user-defined criteria. It allows designers to explore a wide range of design options and quickly identify the most promising solutions. This system-level study seeks to identify potential areas of application for generative AI in space subsystems (e.g., antenna design, RF subsystems design,…
5G REGENERATIVE PROCESSOR AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEM TESTBED (ARTES SPL 5G/6G 5A.083)
The objective of this activity is to implement and test the signal processing portion of a 5G LEO satellite payload capable of handling several high throughput beams assuming an active antenna configuration. The demonstrator shall be based on a processor capable of controlling a reconfigurable beam-forming network (BFN) and performing signal (re-)generation andchannelisation of 5G waveforms.Targeted Improvements: Enable 5G regenerative payload…
AUTOMOTIVE S-BAND ANTENNA FOR SATELLITE IOT AND 5G TERRESTRIAL COMMUNICATIONS (ARTES SPL 5G 7C.062) (UPON DELEGATION REQUEST)
Upon Delegation Request (*) The objective of the activity is to develop, manufacture and test an integrated automotive S-band antenna that combines satellite IoT and 5G terrestrial communications. Targeted Improvements: Reduction of antenna form factor from a protruding antenna (e.g. shark fin shape) to planar antenna fully integrated in the car roof. Bandwidth increase from 30 to 90 MHz for satellite and 5G communications. Description: The In…
CATHODELESS ELECTRIC PROPULSION THRUSTER (ARTES 4.0 AT 4B.173)
The objective of the activity is to develop, manufacture and test an electric propulsion thruster that does not require a neutraliser to operate nominally with a minimum of 25% of thrust efficiency (based on operation with air as the propellant).Targeted Improvements:Increase thrust efficiency by more than 50% to reach a minimum of 25%.Description: Traditional Electric Propulsion (EP) technologies make use of an electron emitter, or cathode, t…
PIONEER PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS (PIONEER 4.0) - OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSAL
The Pioneer programme, implemented under the ARTES 4.0 Generic Programme Line "Partnership Projects", aims to supports the emergence of Space Mission Providers (SMPs), i.e. commercial entities interested in becoming one-stop-shop service providers for public and private customers. The Open Call for proposals is aimed to offer the opportunity for new companies from across all ESA member statesto participate in the programme. It will b…
5G AUTOMOTIVE ANTENNA PROTOTYPE AND DEMONSTRATION (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 7C.084)
The objective is to design and demonstrate a new class of low-profile and conformal antennas, providing seamless connectivity for 5G services on vehicles.Targeted Improvements:Enabling technology Satellite antennas compatible with the constrains of the automotive markets (in terms of aesthetics, aerodynamics and safety), whilst providing seamless connectivity, are currently not available.Description:The automotive sector is a crucial target gr…
ARTES 4.0 SPL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION - SCYLIGHT: INTEGRATED OPTICAL INTERFACES FOR RF PHASED ARRAY ANTENNAS (5F.013 / SL.030)
Objective:The objective of the activity is to analyse and demonstrate the benefits of replacing coaxial cables/waveguides with fibre optics in large RF phased array antennas. The activity shall identify the best technologies to be employed and it will design, manufacture and test 2 breadboard demonstrators covering both analogue and digital transmission.Targeted Improvements:Order of magnitude mass and volume reduction by substituting the pass…
HIGH LINEARITY LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER FOR V-BAND UPLINK FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS PAYLOAD (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.485)
The objective of this activity is to develop, manufacture and test a scaled engineering model of a high linearity Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) module optimised for operation in the 47.5 - 51.4 GHz frequency band and suitable for integration in feed arrays for satellite communications. The LNA shall feature a high intercept point, achieving good performance without distortion or damage in a high interference signal environment.Targeted Improvement…
MULTICAST OPTICAL HEAD UNIT (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 5G.037)
Objective:The objective of the activity is to develop a space-based point to multipoint optical terminal.Targeted Improvements:The MOHU would reduce the number of required Optical Head Units by a factor greater than 2. The MOHU should target a mass and sizeless than x1.5 the mass and size of the combined individual Optical Head Units.Description:Today the implementation of simultaneous optical space to ground links (Optical Feeder Links) requi…
DEMISABLE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL JOINTS FOR LOW EARTH ORBIT TELECOM PLATFORMS (ARTES 4.0 AT 4E.090)
The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test demisable primary structural joints suitable for future low Earthorbit (LEO) satellite communication platforms. Targeted improvements:- Increase compliance of LEO satcom platforms to the ESA on-ground casualty risk requirement (current threshold 1:10000) by one order of magnitude.- Enabling direct heat flux to internal unitsduring re-entry to facilitate demisability.Description:…
END-TO-END DEMONSTRATION OF 5G NEW RADIO (NR) FOR FUTURE RAILWAY MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 7C.086)
The objective of this activity is to develop the necessary 5G New Radio (NR) ground segment prototypes for servicing the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) via satellite and demonstrate the capability with end-to-end in orbit testing.Targeted improvements:Ensure compliance to the FRMCS safety and performance requirements by demonstrating the feasibility of servicing via a satellite link, complementing the terrestrial network. P…
ARTES 4.0 SPL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION - SCYLIGHT: RF AND OPTICAL HYBRID GATEWAY ANTENNA (6C.002/SL.024)(ON DELEGATION REQUEST) - EXPRO PLUS
Objective:The objective of this activity is to investigate a telecom gateway antenna able to work simultaneously in both the RF (Ka- Q/V-Band) and optical wavelengths.Targeted Improvements:This product is currently not available and it would allow a phased migration from RF communications to optical communications.Description:There is a clear trend in the need to increase bandwidth in order to increase the data rate, within the telecommunicat…
HIGH POWER W-BAND TRANSMIT-RECEIVE DIPLEXERS FOR GROUND STATIONS (ARTES AT 6B.118) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST) - EXPRO+
The objective of this activity is to design, develop and test a high-power Tx/Rx W-band diplexer for ground terminals.Targeted Improvements:Enabling technology for ground stations W-band gateway links with high power handling and low PIM.Description:The useof the available spectrum in W-band (71-76 GHz for downlink and 81-86 GHz for uplink) is attractive to satcom systems asit could beadopted in the gateway of Very High Throughput Satellites (…
FREE-SPACE COHERENT OPTICAL LINK FOR TIME AND FREQUENCY TRANSFER (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 5F.041)
Objective:The objective of the activity is to develop and prototype a free-space optical Frequency and Timing transfer solution over a coherent optical link optimised for the use case of linking critical infrastructure and metrology applications.Targeted Improvements:The two parameters to be improved over existing RF-based techniques are time and frequency transfer accuracy (factor 5 to 10 improvement), resistance to interference and robustnes…
Q/V/W-BAND INTEGRATED FREQUENCY CONVERTERS FOR FUTURE VERY HIGH THROUGHPUT SATELLITES (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.500)
The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test Q/V/W-band frequency converters based on a single chip core MMIC for telecommunication payloads employing Digital Transparent Processors (DTP).Targeted Improvements:- Footprint and mass reduced bya factor of 10.- Power consumption reduced by a factor of 3 to 5.Description:For Digital Transparent Processors (DTP) pre- and post-processors are needed in order to up- and down convert…
ARTES 4.0 SPL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION - SCYLIGHT : DEMONSTRATION OF RELIABLE HIGH DATA RATE OPTICAL LINKS UNDER STRONG ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE CONDITIONS (3B.042 / SL.015)
Objective:The objective of this activity is to demonstrate reliable high data rate optical transmission through the atmosphere (>100Gbps) in a scenario representative (in terms of link attenuation and optical turbulence) of an optical link between a telecom satellite and an Optical Ground Station for elevation angles down to 5deg. Targeted Improvements:Improve the service quality and availability of high data rate optical links through the…
BEAM FORMING CHIP FOR DIRECT RADIATING ARRAY ANTENNAS FOR W-BAND FEEDER LINKS (ARTES AT 5C.457) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST)
The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test an engineering model of a beam forming network chip to support direct radiating array antennas in W-band for future receive chain feeder links in ultra-high throughput satellite telecommunication payloads.Targeted Improvements: Enabling technology for reconfigurable antennas in W-band for ultra-high-throughput satellite feederlinks (at least 1 Tbit/s throughput) not existing tod…
ARTES 4.0 TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS ACTIVITY - STANDARD CALL FOR PROPOSALS
This Call for Proposals covers the industry initiated activities for the four Programmes lines identified below:ARTES Core Competitiveness Generic ProgrammeLine- Component B: Competitiveness GrowthARTES Strategic Programme Line Space for 5G/6G and Sustainable Connectivity ARTES Strategic Programme Line Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S)ARTES Strategic Programme Line Optical and Quantum Communication - ScyLight. The participating state…
6G SATELLITE PRECURSOR - STERLING IN-ORBIT LABORATORY (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 3E.011)
The objective of the activity is to develop an in-orbit experiment where technologies and techniques that will be key for the role of satellites in 6G networks can be tested, validated and their performance measured. This includes very novel techniques such as AI-assisted dynamic spectrum allocation, AI-assisted dynamic service-based resource management, self-optimised air interface, characterisation of sub-THz transmission performance and nov…
CIVIL SECURITY FROM SPACE PROGRAMME - STANDARD CALL FOR PROPOSAL
This Call for Proposals covers the industry initiated activities for the Civil Security for Space programme.
SPACE BASED LINKS FOR THE QUANTUM INTERNET (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 5G.036) - EXPRO+
Objective: The objective of the activity is to study concepts and design technologies for extending/supporting the terrestrial quantum internet developments with space-based connectivity.Targeted Improvements: Enabler for long (100km) quantum internet connections. Fibre losses limit the range of connections to less than 100 km and longer links can only be realised using satellites. Description:1) Reviewing/surveying of applications based on th…
END-TO-END MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR SOLAR ARRAYS FOR CONSTELLATIONS (ARTES 4.0 AT 4F.162)
The objective of the activity is to spin-in terrestrial multi-junction solar cell manufacturing processes and to develop and test photo voltaic assembly techniques to reduce the end-to-end manufacturing complexity of solar arrays for constellations. Targeted Improvements: Reduction of manufacturing complexity and manufacturing time of solar arrays by a factor of two in comparison to the current state-of-the-art solar arrays based on multi-junc…
SCALABLE PUBLIC KEY INFRASTRUCTURE CONCEPT FOR LARGE CONSTELLATION SECURE COMMUNICATIONS (ARTES 4.0 4S SPL 3D.016)
The objective of the activity is to study, design, develop and test a scalable and future proof Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) concept for a telecommunications system based on a large constellation including concept of interconnection with other space and terrestrial systems. The PKI shall allow the authentication of users (on ground and in space) by means of asymmetric cryptography (classical and post-quantum) as well as the definition of gr…
PHASED ARRAY ANTENNAS BASED ON FLEXIBLE ULTRA-LIGHT MATERIALS AND PRINTED RF COMPONENTS (ARTES AT 7C.074) RE-ISSUE
The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test a phased array antenna, in Ku- or Ka-band, based on ultra-lightweight, flexible and conformable dielectric substrate materials and printed passive and active RF components. Targeted Improvements:The phased array antenna is expected to be 5-10 times lighter, could be installed on curved surfaces, and guarantee an extended field of view. Description:Traditional arrays are rigid, b…
CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR W-BAND TRAVELLING WAVE TUBE ELECTRONIC POWER CONDITIONERS (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.487)
Objective: The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test the critical Electronic Power Conditioner (EPC) technologies (high voltage and thermal management techniques) to drive 100 W class W-band Travelling Wave Tubes (TWT). An Engineering Model of the high voltage EPC module will be designed and tested in a representative vacuum environment. Targeted Improvements:Enabling W-band EPCs (20 kV voltage class) while maintaining c…