Description
The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a new Mini HDRA (Hold-Down Release Actuator) breadboardaimed at deploymentapplications on small satellites, compatible with the emerging microsatellite markets.
Targeted Improvements: Enabling a European or Canadian source of a mini HDRA with maximum load capability of 1000 N, less than 10 W power consumption and less than30 grams.
Description: With the advent of constellations of small satellites, there is a growing need for deployable antennas and solar arrays and associated hold down systems.Currently, the required HDRAs are only available from non-European suppliers. In the caseof Cubesats, the widely adopted technique to stowdeployable appendages is to hold down during launch using tensioned wires that areburnt though locally using resistance heaters to activatedeployment. This solution is effective and simple, but it is designed onacase-by-case basis by system integrators at platform level.
In this activity a Mini HDRA (Hold-Down Release Actuator) shall be developed for deployment applications on small satellites, compatible with theemerging microsatellite markets. Having a Mini HDRA as a standard building block will simplify the design of the hold down system, potentiallyimprove reliability and provide considerablebenefits to payload suppliers and platform manufacturers. The activity will present the opportunity tocustomise performances (e.g.load carrying capability, exported shock) of the HDRA to suit the needs of the European small satellite market. The MiniHDRA shallbe simple, resettable, reliable, low cost, low volume and low mass, and shall be compatible with a range of small satellites and associatedpayloads, through a scalable architecture that can potentially be expanded into a family of products. The activity includesdesign, analysis,manufacturing and demonstration of a breadboard model.
Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to EMITS news "Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes".
Tender Specifics