ARTES-5.1 – ESA Telecom Technology Workplan ... - Emits - ESA

Annex 2Page 35Ref. Activity Title Procurement Policy Budget(KEUR)5B.069(09.153.11)Objective:Description:Planned TenderIssueMedium size unfurlable reflector antenna Open Competitive Tender Type: C 1500 3Q 2009 18Estimated Duration(months)To design, analyse, manufacture and test an Elegant Breadboard of a 4 to 7 metre reflector for telecom satellites. Special attention shall be given in deployment reliability and accuracy, RF,PIM and thermo-elastic behaviour.Reflectors are typical risk area for satellites if no qualification model is available before project start. Technologies available today in Europe such as thick shell, thin shell with stiffeners, ultralight reflectors and dual gridded reflectors are able to handle Ku-band, and sometimes up to Ka-band, but are limited respectively to 3.8 meters (launcher fairing constraint for one piecereflector) and 2.5 meters ( thermo-elastic behaviour). On the other hand, for L and S band frequencies bands, a Large Deployable Antenna has been developed up to qualification level for theMobile Satellite Service programmes with reflector diameters in the range of 12m to 15m (with grow capability). Reflectors in the range from 4 to 7 meters are not qualified in Europe whileseveral applications require them such as:- Digital Audio Broadcast at S-Band- European linguistic and multi-beam coverage at C-Band and possibly Ku-Band- Intersatellite links at S-band- Signal intelligenceTo fulfil the needs for such missions, reflector shall have:- A diameter in the range 4 to 7 meters (even 3 meters for low cost, small launcher, fairing compatibility might be of interest)- An offset configuration and a shaping capability- An in flight surface accuracy of typically one wavelength/ 50- A stowed envelope compatible with small launchersAmong the different reflector architectures identified so far, a concept based on existing CFRP reflector for the central part and on either rigid/foldable panels/reflective mesh/CFRS isconsidered as a good candidate. This concept may allow securing the development with proven technologies where the most critical constraints exist in term of power handling and surfaceaccuracy. This concept will be traded-off with other concepts such as unfurlable, inflatable, membrane and shape controlled by rib bending and other concepts. After selection of the mostpromising concept, the activity will address antenna RF analysis, reflector RF/ mechanical/ thermal design/analysis, deployment reliability and accuracy and reflectormanufacturing/development of an Elegant Breadboard sufficiently representative to allow meaningful RF/ PIM tests, deployment tests and thermo-elastic test.