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.

  • HOLOMONDAS OBSERVATORY UPGRADES FOR OPTICAL AND QUANTUM COMMUNICATION (ARTES 4.0 SPL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION - SCYLIGHT 6C.013 / SL.049) - EXPRO+ - RE-ISSUE

    Objective: To develop transmit and receive systems for optical communication and the reception of quantum keys. Targeted Improvements: Tenfold speed increase in data rates by optical communication between satellites and ground and implementation of a cyber-secure quantum channel. Description: The Holomondas telescope has been identified to support the ESA programs ScyLight, HydRON as well as the SAGA Project for the preparation of the space se…

  • ARTES 4.0 SPL OPTICAL COMMUNICATION - SCYLIGHT: INTEGRATED PHOTON SOURCES FOR SPACE BASED QUANTUM TELECOMMUNICATIONS (5F.014/SL.031) (ON DELEGATION REQUEST) RE-ISSUE

    Objective:The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test integrated entangled photon source and faint pulse source for space Quantum Key Distribution. The high level integration combines low mass, volume, and higher reliability and is therefore ideally suited for space applications. The expected output of the activity is an engineering model of an entangled photon source and a prototype faint pulse source, which have been eva…

  • IRIS2 PHASE 1 USER TERMINAL SECURITY TESTBED.

    Endpoint security and terminal authentication, monitoring and management testbed. The activity will develop a secure connectivity user terminal on a bench, i.e. a generic platform with hardware and software resources to experiment potential endpoint security capabilities such as device identification and authentication, remote attestation and monitoring for intrusion detection, remote management for secure provisioning and decommissioning.Proc…

  • VEHICLE-TO-EVERYTHING (V2X) SERVICES DEMONSTRATION OVER SATELLITE (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 3A.182)

    The objective of this activity is to develop a testbed that allows the demonstration of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) 5G services viasatellite. Using existing satellite assets and on-ground antenna for mobile applications (not necessarily aesthetically attractive), the test bed shall address both forward and return link traffic, to support the definition of future V2X applications and associated technical enhancements. The set of services to be…

  • LIGHTWEIGHT POST-QUANTUM KEY EXCHANGE PROTOCOL FOR IP DATA TRANSFERS OVER SATELLITE (ARTES 4.0 4S SPL 3D.017) (RE-ISSUE)

    Objective: The objective of the activity is to implement and test a lightweight version of the Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) key exchange mechanism that includes post-quantum cryptographic key exchanges. The activity will implement an open-sourced reference implementation of the protocol and perform assessment in a satcom simulator of the protocol on realistic use cases (processing power, data being transferred, latency, available ba…

  • AD HOC VEHICLE TO VEHICLE MESH NETWORK FOR IMPROVED SATELLITE THROUGHPUT (ARTES 4.0 AT 6B.117)

    The objective of the activity is to design, develop, manufacture, test and demonstrate an ad hoc ground based network system whereby nearby cars pool resources to improve satcom throughput. Cars within a terrestrial radio range of a nearby car can be used to achieve higher throughput over satcom when they are not transmitting or receiving themselves, thus creating a mesh network between local cars. Cars form ad-hoc local networks connecting an…

  • OPTICAL FEEDER LINK SITE-DIVERSITY PROTOCOLS FOR SATELLITE CONSTELLATION NETWORKS (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 3A.170)

    Objective: Design and demonstration of link protection and restoration protocols that can be deployed to provide optical feeder link diversity in mega-constellations with inter-satellite links. Targeted Improvements: >30% increased optical network throughput witha reduced number of ground stations and reduced CAPEX. Description: Optical feeder links for LEO satellite systems suffer from frequent disruptions due to cloud blockages that rende…

  • DEMONSTRATOR OF A RECONFIGURABLE Q-BAND FEEDER LINK MULTIBEAM ANTENNA FOR HIGH-CAPACITY GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITES (ARTES 4.0 AT 5B.224)

    Objective:The objective of the activity is to develop and test a scalable, generic and reconfigurable multibeam transmit antenna architecture for feeder links operating in Q-band and supporting high-capacity geostationary broadband multimedia missions.TargetedImprovements:- Replacement of multiple (typically two or more) feeder link reflector antennas by a single antenna.- System deployment before finalisation of the gateway locations (6-12 mo…

  • EFFICIENT DIGITAL BEAMFORMING TECHNIQUE COMPATIBLE WITH NON-UNIFORM BEAM AND ARRAY LATTICES (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.492)

    The objective of this activity is to develop and evaluate efficient digital beamforming algorithms and techniques that are compatible with non-uniform antenna arrays or non-uniform beam lattices. The developed techniques will be implemented and evaluated on a representative processor test bed. Targeted Improvements: 30 to 70% power reduction on the implementation of digital beamforming algorithms with non-uniform input/outputs with respect to…

  • SUN TOLERANT OPTICAL COMMUNICATION LINK ACQUISITION AND TRACKING (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 5G.034) - RE-ISSUE

    Objective:The objective of this activity is to add a slow modulation scheme on a high-data rate optical link, so allow efficient daylight sun-background subtraction on the tracking sensor and allow more robust operation at small sun-spacecraft-angles.TargetedImprovements:50% higher link availability at small sun-spacecraft-angles (10 degrees).Description:With incoherent and coherent optical communication schemes the counter terminal needs to b…

  • 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…

  • W-BAND RF PASSIVE HARDWARE FOR HIGH THROUGHPUT TELECOMMUNICATION PAYLOADS (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.502) - RE-ISSUE

    The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test low-loss W-band RF passive equipment (filters, multiplexers and transmission lines) for future very high throughput telecommunication payloads. Targeted Improvements: Enabling technology for W-band payloads. Description: W-band has the potential to provide the feeder link capacity needed for future Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS). The frequency allocation for this band all…

  • OPTIMAL CONTROL ALGORITHMS FOR ADAPTIVE OPTICS IN FREE SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 6C.034) - RE-ISSUE

    Objective: The objective of the activity is the development of optimal control algorithms in the context of Adaptive Optics (AO) systems designed for Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC) scenarios. Demonstration of improvements in AO performance or robustness using optimal controllers will be performed through turbulence representative of those expected in Geostationary and Low Earth Orbit links. Targeted Improvements: Improve robustness a…

  • 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 by a 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 conver…

  • ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FOR ELECTRIC PROPULSION COMPONENTS OF LOW EARTH ORBIT SATCOMS (ARTES 4.0 AT 4B.176)

    The objective of the activity is to develop advanced manufacturing techniques for electric propulsion components in order to improve their performance.Targeted Improvements:Increase the thermo-mechanical, thermo-optical and magnetic performances by 10-15% and the sputter retention of electric propulsion components (e.g. anode, cathode, discharge chambers).Description: Large low Earth orbit satellite constellations will be using electric propul…

  • 10W PER MM CLASS THERMALLY ENHANCED HIGH EFFICIENCY MICROWAVE POWER AMPLIFIERS (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.491) (RE-ISSUE)

    The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test a breadboard of a high-power amplifier in Ku-band or above with 10 W/mm class of power density in continuous wave operation. The selected manufacturing process will allow a smaller chip size with reduced junction temperature, reduced thermal memory effects and improved efficiency.Targeted Improvements:- 3-5 times improvementin power density.- Junction temperature reduction of te…

  • 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 payloa…

  • DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMULATOR FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC SCINTILLATION AT OPTICAL FREQUENCIES (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 6A.086) - EXPRO PLUS (RE-ISSUE)

    Objective: To develop a simulator of optical propagation based on a high-resolution numerical atmospheric simulator, to be used forthe long-term characterisation and the forecast of the signal scintillation and other propagation effects in the area around a ground terminal for Earth-Space optical communication system. Targeted Improvements: Breakthrough to achieve regional optical channel performance assessment; achieve high resolution channel…

  • EFFICIENT TESTING APPROACH FOR SOLAR ARRAY DEVELOPMENT (ARTES 4.0 AT 4F.160) (RE-ISSUE)

    The objective of this activity is to form a European consortium and to develop a solar array test approach as needed for the preparation of the ECSS E-20-08 handbook, in the case of a design or process change. The new test approach will be validated by Development Validation Testing (DVT) coupons. Targeted Improvements: Substantial reduction (50%) in the delta-qualification time of solar panels, which deviate slightly from existing qualified d…

  • IN-ORBIT EXPERIMENT OF AN INFLATABLE DE-ORBITING DRAG DEVICE FOR SMALL SATELLITES (ARTES AT 3E.003) - RE-ISSUE (1-10674)

    The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test in orbit an inflatable drag device for de-orbiting small satellites from Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Performance data will be gathered (deployment imagery and positional telemetry) in a fully representative space environment (including drag effects) that would not be possible to simulate or test on ground. Targeted Improvements:Reduce de-orbit time by a factor of 5 (for altitudes of 4…

  • USER TERMINAL SIGNALLING FOR NON-GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE NETWORKS (ARTES 4.0 AT 7B.074) (RE-ISSUE)

    The objective of the activity is to design, implement and validate signalling and control techniques for satellite user terminals in a non-geostationary satellite network where the user terminals can login and function in the network without necessarily relying on the assistance from global navigation satellite services. Targeted Improvements: Enable autonomous commissioning, login and operation of satellite user terminals within a non-geostat…

  • BROADBAND Q-V BAND BEAMFORMING NETWORK FOR FLEXIBLE ON-BOARD FEEDER LINK ACTIVE ANTENNA PAYLOADS (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.488) - RE-ISSUE

    The objective of this activity is to design, develop and test a breadboard of a highly integrated Q-V band beam forming network forflexible on-board feeder link active antennas. Targeted Improvements: Enabling a European source for Q-V band beamforming for feeder links. Description: Feeder links in next generation Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS) rely on a full RF chain in Q-V band. Today, mechanically steerable multi-feed antenna archit…

  • FAULT-TOLERANT NETWORK SWITCHING USING COTS NETWORK SWITCH COMPONENTS (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.503) (RE-ISSUE)

    The objective of the activity is to develop and test a power-efficient, high-throughput and fault-tolerant network switching architecture for regenerative processors using COTS System-on-Chip (SoC) components as software-defined network switches. This will include radiation testing and development of fault mitigation methods (at system and software level). Targeted Improvements: Enabling reliable software-defined packet switching using COTS co…

  • ROBUST TIMING AND SYNCHRONISATION TECHNIQUES FOR SECURE COMMUNICATIONS (ARTES 4.0 AT 5C.483) (RE-ISSUE)

    The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a prototype of an on-board timing equipment for secure communications. Targeted Improvements: Enabling secure communications thanks to high accuracy and resilient timing synchronisation (sub micro seconds). Description:Governmental communications make use of secured waveforms, which implement modern techniques like frequency hopping or direct sequence spread spectrum, and require…

  • COMPUTER GENERATED HOLOGRAMS (CGH) FOR OPTICAL AND QUANTUM COMMUNICATION TERMINALS (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 5F.037) - RE-ISSUE

    Objective: The objective of the activity is to develop CGH to replace classical optics (e.g. (dichroic) beam splitters, lenses...)in optical/quantum communication terminals. In addition, performance simulations shall be validated on CGH test samples. Several CGH device shall be manufactured, and their performance tested. A-thermal designs shall be investigated. Targeted Improvements: 50% reduction in the size, footprint and mass of classical b…