ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme has supported a number of piggyback payloads in its long history of supporting new telecommunication technologies and systems from the satcom industry. These include the launch of the Skyplex processor on the Hot Bird 4 satellite, followed by AmerHis on Amazonas 1 and the set of technology demonstration payloads (TDPs) planned to launch with the Alphasat satellite in 2012.
ESA is calling for your expression of interest regarding payloads and/or associated systems for the following two opportunities :
- The dedicated satellite (EDRS-C) in the EDRS programme planned to be launched by late 2014, allowing for the embarkation of up to 140 kg and 1.5 kW into geostationary orbit (GEO).
- Up to 66 hosted payloads of up to 50 kg and 50 W (200 W peak) each in the Iridium NEXT constellation in Low-Earth orbit (LEO). Launches start in 2015, with last launch in 2017.
ESA would also like to gather further indications of interest in validating payloads with a similar scheme in future opportunities. Additional opportunities for in-orbit validation might be pursued in the future, depending on the interest in this initiative.
ESA would offer funding to cover part of the innovative payload development costs and of the payload hosting fees, provided support from one or several ESA Member States is obtained and on the basis of an associated cost/benefit assessment. A programmatic framework exists for TDPs on EDRS, which would need to be put in place for other opportunities.
Payloads for the two opportunities will have to be compatible on technical and schedule grounds with the EDRS or Iridium missions and shall indicate any financial requirements, support from ESA Member States, and impact of the in-orbit validation on European/Canadian Industry competitiveness.
The selection of payloads for each of the different flight opportunities will be preceded by a tendering process. The final payload selection for the EDRS programme is planned to be completed by November 2011.
Additional information as well as hosting satellites information will be provided upon request. The official letter of invitation as well as the proposal format outline are available for download. See the links in the column on the right side of this page.
All interested parties belonging to participating ESA Member States and Canada are asked to send in a proposal according to the format provided to payloadcfi@esa.int by 29 April 2011. All proposals will be treated confidentially.
