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.

  • SPACEBORNE W-BAND HIGH POWER TRAVELLING WAVE TUBE (ARTES AT 5C.486) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST)

    The objective of this activity is to design, develop and test a breadboard of high-power W-band travelling wave tube (TWT) to meet the requirements of Very High Throughput Satellites.Targeted Improvements:Enable a European source of W-band TWT with 5 GHz instantaneous bandwidth, 100 W power output and at least 30% efficiency.Description:High Throughput Satellites (HTS) and Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS) already use Q/V band frequencies…

  • IN-ORBIT EXPERIMENT OF A VLEO SATELLITE TO ENABLE PRECISE ORBITAL MODELLING AND SYSTEM SIZING (ARTES AT 3E.026) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST)

    The objective of the activity is to develop high fidelity models to allow the mission design of satcom constellations in VLEO. An in-orbit experiment will be designed and manufactured to measure key geographically and time dependent atmospheric parameters (density, radiation, ionospheric, chemical composition etc..) as well as satellite flight parameters (including drag, solar cells efficiency, etc..). These measurements will enable the precis…

  • CRITICAL BREADBOARDING ENABLING THE REMOVAL OF FAILED SMALL SATELLITES FROM LOW EARTH ORBIT (ARTES AT 4A.085) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST)

    The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test technologies enabling the removal of failed small satellites (e.g.tumbling) from low earth orbit. Several breadboards will be developed and tested to reduce tumbling and to enable rendezvous and capture.Targeted Improvements: Enabling de-orbiting of large constellations of low Earth orbit telecommunication satellites. Description: In the coming years it is expected that the numbe…

  • POWER MODULE FOR AUTONOMOUS SATELLITES (ARTES AT 4F.095)

    The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a power module that will be integrated in an autonomous spacecraftarchitecture.Targeted Improvements:Increase the level of onboard autonomy by 50% at overall platform level.Description: Current satellite operations require human intervention from ground, resulting in considerable inefficiencies and dependencies on communication window frequency, latency, and available resources,…

  • HANDOVER, DATA ROUTING AND RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR VERY LOW EARTH ORBIT (VLEO) BROADBAND CONSTELLATIONS (ARTES 4.0 AT 3C.043)

    The objective of this activity is to develop and test handover, data routing and radio resource management techniques for a broadband satellite constellation in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). The techniques will be implemented, and their performance assessed in a software system testbed. Targeted Improvements:Enabling system techniques for VLEO broadband systems not existing today in ESA member states.Description: The VLEO orbit is now the centr…

  • SPARSE TRANSMIT KA-BAND ACTIVE PHASED ARRAYS FOR GROUND TERMINALS CONNECTED WITH SATELLITES IN DIFFERENT ORBITS (ARTES AT 7A.077)

    The objective of this activity is to develop and test a Ka-band sparse active transmit antenna breadboard and associated beamforming network for ground terminals to be connected with satellites in orbits ranging from geostationary orbits to low earth orbit orbits. Targeted Improvements: - 25% reduction in the number of active controls.- 5% increase in the DC-to-RF power efficiency at antenna level, due to the reduced exploitation of amplitude…

  • BROADBAND TUNEABLE KA-BAND FREQUENCY MULTIPLEXERS (ARTES AT 5C.430) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST)

    The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test two breadboards corresponding to a reconfigurable 4-channel 30 GHz low power Combiner Frequency Multiplexer (CMUX) and a 4-channel 20 GHz low power frequency Demultiplexer (DMUX). Targeted Improvements: Replacement of conventional fixed-bandwidth CMUX and DMUX equipment with a tuneable solution capable of supporting agile traffic management.Description: Current broadband satelli…

  • 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…

  • 500 AMPERE CLASS POWER UNIT FOR ONBOARD PAYLOAD SIGNAL PROCESSING HARDWARE IN COMMUNICATION SATELLITES (ARTES AT 5C.516)

    The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test a 500A class power unit capable of supplying DC power for both large on-board and AI processors for use in communication satellites.Targeted Improvements: Improved current supply capability of voltage regulators by a factor of ten enabling the use of high performance AI processors (GPUs and TPUs) in future telecom satellites.Description: Artificial Intelligence (AI) processors,…

  • CYBERSECURITY MAKERSPACE: IDENTIFICATION, EXPLORATION AND ASSESSMENT OF CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES TO SATCOM SYSTEMS  (ARTES 4.0 SPL 4S 3D.025)

    The objective of this activity is to enable rapid delivery of small proof-of-concepts and technical investigations that are addressing emerging cybersecurity challenges in the field of cybersecurity for satcom systems.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:…

  • HIGHLY INTEGRATED TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE DIRECT RADIATING ANTENNA ARRAY BASED ON MM-WAVE SILICON TECHNOLOGIES AND PACKAGING (ARTES AT 5B.241)

    The objective of the activity is to develop a highly integrated, scalable Ku or Ka-band TX/RX direct radiating array, for versatileconnectivity missions in low earth orbit. Critical breadboarding will be carried out, levering the advances in Mm-wave silicon technologies and advanced packaging techniques to achieve a high degree of integration. Targeted Improvements: Enabling highly integrated combined transmit and receive active antenna with a…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • HIGHLY EFFICIENT 20 W S-BAND AMPLIFIER FOR 5G-CONNECTED CARS (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 7C.082)

    The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a highly efficient 20 W S-band Power Amplifier.Targeted Improvements:Efficiency higher than 70% - enabling technology for S-Band automotive applications.Description:Recent studies have shown the potential of satellite communications for 5G-connected cars. Although various frequency bands may be envisaged, the S-band can offer a simple systems architecture as well as a satisfactor…

  • ION THRUSTER GRID IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT DEVICE FOR IN-FLIGHT THRUSTER HEALTH MONITORING (ARTES AT 4B.182)

    The objective of this activity is to extend the thruster lifetime and optimise the operating point of the thruster and to develop afinite element model of the grids system together with the plasma in between to allow health checks.Targeted Improvements:- 20%increase in thruster lifetime.- 20% decrease of grid thruster failure probability (erosion).Description: Telecom platforms couldbenefit from gridded ion thrusters in the near future, but c…

  • VERY LOW EARTH ORBIT SYSTEM SIMULATOR FOR DIRECT SATELLITE-TO-DEVICE 5G/6G COMMUNICATIONS (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 3F.019)

    Objective: The objective of the activity is to develop and test a system simulator testbed capable of modelling and assessing the performance of communication satellite constellations operating in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). This includes the assessment of the emerging waveforms (5G NTN, European Protected Waveform).Targeted Improvements: Enable the design and assess the constellation system performance of communication satellites operating i…

  • 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…

  • SINGLE-PIECE-PART W-BAND PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA INCLUDING THE PASSIVE RF FRONT-END (ARTES AT 5B.239)

    The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test a W-band/E-band phased array antenna including the passive RF front-end taking advantage of additive and hybrid manufacturing techniques in order to reduce its complexity and mass compared to conventional subtractive techniquesTargeted Improvements: 30% mass reduction, removing screws and assembly interfaces.Description: With the multiplication of broadband communication satelli…

  • MULTIFUNCTIONAL HINGE FOR LARGE ON-BOARD DIRECT SATELLITE-TO-DEVICE ACTIVE ANTENNA ARRAYS (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 4E.093)

    The objective of the activity is to develop and test a multifunctional hinge technology to accommodate a large multi panel active antenna array on a spacecraft platform, with integrated sensing to avoid adverse local deflections due to spacecraft dynamics.Targeted Improvements:Enabling technology for very large active antennas with disperse panels to be accommodated on a spacecraft platformfor future 5G/6G (direct to handheld) satellitesDescri…

  • IMPLEMENTATION OF SOFTWARE MITIGATION SOLUTIONS FOR RADIATION-INDUCED SINGLE EVENT EFFECTS (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.490) - RE-ISSUE OF ITT 1-11734

    The objective of the activity is to de-risk software mitigation techniques for radiation effects on a family of high-performance processors embedded in System on Chip (SoC) components. The activity will identify, on one or more processors of interest for the industry, radiation-induced failure modes and will implement appropriate software mitigation techniques with reuse or development of small FPGA IPs if needed. Targeted Improvements: Enable…

  • 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…

  • MASS MEMORY UNIT WITH 100 GIGABIT PER SECOND WRITE RATE CLASS FOR LOW EARTH ORBIT COMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS (ARTES AT 5C.498) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST)

    The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test a memory unit breadboard offering interface port and memory read and write speeds at 100 GigaBit per second and a capacity of at least 3 TeraBits for interconnected constellation telecommunication systems. Targeted Improvements: Improvement of the write speed by a factor of 10 compared to FLASH-based mass memories. Description:Future Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations with hig…

  • SPIN-IN OF SLIPRING TECHNOLOGY FOR SATCOM APPLICATIONS (ARTES AT 4E.096)

    The objective of the activity is to select an off the shelf European slipring technology for terrestrial applications and demonstrate its suitability for Satcom applicationTargeted Improvements: Improving by 20% of power density, lifetime, mass, volume, and lead time.Description: Solar Array Drive Mechanism (SADM) require complex slip-ring technology often leading to long delivery times. However, slipring technologies for terrestrial applicati…

  • ON-CHIP ACTIVE RECONFIGURABLE FILTERS FOR 5G PHASED ARRAY ANTENNAS (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 7A.076)

    The objective is to develop and test a Ku or Ka band transparent phased array antenna to provide broadband connectivity on board cars. Targeted Improvements: Develop a new class of phased array antennas for cars able to guarantee a seamless broadband connectivitywith LEO satellites. Description: There is today a significant interest to provide broadband connectivity to cars. This request is associated to the need to guarantee emergency service…

  • 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…