{"start":0,"take":1,"total":1,"items":[{"activityNumber":"1000045969","budgetReference":"E/0901-01 - Technology Developme","classified":false,"closingDate":"2026-10-09T13:00:00","extensionRequestDeadline":"2026-09-25T13:00:00","clarificationRequestDeadline":"2026-09-25T13:00:00","description":"ObjectivesTo develop fully European PhotoVoltaic (PVA) and Blanket technologies that can be used on a Solar Array for deep space missions to Saturn.DescriptionLarge solar arrays are currently being developed for telecommunication and scientific missions. Recent examples include the semi-rigid ENEO array, the fully flexible SolarFlex array of the Novacom 2 telecommunications satellite and the rigid array of the JUICE mission to Jupiter. With a high specific power, such arrays lend themselves for use in exploration missions. Feasibility studies have demonstrated that missions to Saturn, fully powered by solar arrays, are indeed feasible. In a recent development activity, the feasibility of a solar array architecture scalable up to 100 m2 per wing and with the capability to retract and re-deploy, to protect the array from damage, has been successfully demonstrated. In the frame of this study, the development of PVA and Blanket frame technologies suitable for the Saturn environment has been indicated as the main focus point for further development of suchsolar array architecture. Saturn environment places demanding requirements on PVA and Blanket technologies: the PVA shall be capable to supply power at very low temperatures and Sun intensities,and the blanket shall be lightweight yet strong enough to support the PVA and to sustain the large temperature range of a Saturn mission. Also, the blanket structure interface shall allow smooth deployment/retraction operations. The activity therefore encompasses the following tasks: Investigation into actual PVA LILT technologies and potential adaptations for its use on a Saturn mission (e.g. reduced thickness) Definition of blanket and blanket frame design, to act as PVA support and able to cope with the required temperature range Demonstration via mechanical and electrical analyses of the suitability of the selected design for the Saturn mission Demonstration of the suitability of the selectedtechnologies for the Saturn mission by means of thermal cycling and vibration tests of a representative Blanket segment (PVA and blanket) mock-up Identification of development needs Preparation of a roadmap","ecosrequired":false,"establishment":"ESTEC","firstPublicationDate":"2026-06-19T12:14:08","id":189870,"idEra":25293,"initiatingService":"TEC-EPG","ipmeasure":"N/A","isArchived":false,"isCancelled":false,"isReissued":false,"isToBeReissued":false,"issueQuarter":"261","lastUpdateTime":"2026-08-26T10:45:37","lastUpdateUser":"ltena","openDate":"2026-06-19T12:16:22","priceRange":"> 500 KEURO","programmeReference":"Technology Developme","tanumber":"1-13379","title":"DEVELOPMENT OF PVA AND BLANKET TECHNOLOGIES FOR SATURN MISSIONS SOLAR ARRAYS - EXPRO+ - RE-ISSUE","directorate":"Directorate of Tech, Eng.  Quality","countries":[{"id":1},{"id":168},{"id":67},{"id":27},{"id":26},{"id":25},{"id":24},{"id":23},{"id":22},{"id":19},{"id":17},{"id":16},{"id":13},{"id":12},{"id":11},{"id":10},{"id":9},{"id":8},{"id":7},{"id":6},{"id":5},{"id":2},{"id":15}],"products":[{"id":322},{"id":320}],"technologies":[{"id":147}],"status":{"id":2},"tenderType":{"id":5},"isFavourite":false,"eraVersion":2,"stageNumber":null,"isNew":false,"isUpdated":false,"declarationOfCompliances":["All the required declarations of compliance have been addressed and included in our proposal's Cover Letter."],"keyAcceptanceFactors":["The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to satisfy the “Eligibility Requirements” (see section 1.1 of the EXPRO/TC);","The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to fulfil the requirements concerning “Free Competition” (see paragraph 10 of the Cover Letter of the Proposal Template);","The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to accept the conditions established for “Non commitment by the Agency in competitive procurements” (see section 1.7 of the EXPRO/TC);","The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to be compliant with the “Non Benefits Requirements” (see section 1.8 of the EXPRO/TC);","The Tenderer confirms that the tender Cover Letter and the Detailed Proposal contain a binding price;","The Tenderer confirms that the tender Cover Letter and the Detailed Proposal contain a price type compliant with the one requested in the ITT;","The Tenderer confirms that the tender is compliant with the budgetary limit applicable to the ITT;"],"evaluationCriterias":[{"criterion":"Background and experience (related to the particular field concerned) of the company(ies) and staff, including adequacy of the proposed facilities","weightingFactor":"35%"},{"criterion":"Understanding of the objectives of the activity and discussion of the problem areas, and adequacy of the programme of work","weightingFactor":"50%"},{"criterion":"Adequacy of the time dedication and costing, compliance with administrative tender conditions and acceptance of the contract conditions","weightingFactor":"15%"}],"entities":[],"procurementProposal":null,"responsible":"Maxime Guy","updateReason":"Tender Clarification has been published"}],"totalNew":0,"totalUpdated":0}