Description
The objective of the activity is to develop flexible pipes for telecom spacecraft using chemical propulsion.
Targeted improvements: To increase design tolerance and decrease AIT time.
Description: Industry has identified that the use of flexible pipes in chemical propulsion feed systems and in mechanical pumped loops may entail a cost saving in both system design and integration. However currently flexible lines have so far only been used in launch vehicles and are of a large diameter than currently required for telecom spacecraft. This technology has never been used for spacecraft and the intention of this work proposal is to investigate the feasibility of the concept by design, analysis and preliminary breadboard testing of a system. The work shall include at least the following activities, a trade-off identifying the different types of potential feed-line design, an analysis of potential cost and time savings at spacecraft level, a dynamic analysis of thruster-feed line interaction, analysis of cross-talk of thrusters in a thruster cluster/common feed line and potential implications on thruster qualification status. This will then be followed by simulant breadboard testing. Furthermore pending successful results a roadmap will be developed for future testing of the concept with real propellants and hot-firing thrusters.
Procurement Policy: C(2) = A relevant participation (in terms of quality and quantity) of non-primes (incl. SMEs) is required. For additional information please go to EMITS news "Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and R&D entities in ESA programmes".
Tender Specifics