Tenders are invited for Procurement of the Lisa Telescope Assembly The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is the first space mission designed to observe theuniverse via gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space time caused by the acceleration ofmassive objects in the universe. The LISA observatory consists of three identical spacecraft (eachwith a mass/power of about 2700Kg/>3kW), forming an equilateral triangular constellation of 2.5million km side-length, in trailing or leading orbit with respect to the Earth at about 50 million km. Thepassage of a gravitational wave results in a modulation of the length of one arm with respect toanother, which is detected using laser interferometry.ESA is responsible for the mission, including procurement of the spacecraft and the launch vehicletogether with the development of the ground segment to control and operate the spacecraft (fromthe Mission Operation Centre - MOC) and to perform the science mission planning and process thedata products, including archiving (from the Science Operation Centre - SOC). The ESA MemberStates and NASA contribute to the mission with several payload elements (ESA CFI to the Prime).ESA has also the overall responsibility of the verification of the mission performance.For each spacecraft, the LISA Telescope Assembly (LTA) consists of two ultra-stable Zerodurtelescopes. Each telescope is mounted on the Moving Optical Subassembly (MOSA), which hostsall the optical elements.The Executive believes it prudent to take action now to limit any potential damage to the Programmestemming from the unstable situation with NASA. Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, theSPC has requested the Executive to investigate European industrial solutions. This paper outlinesthe approach being taken by the Executive to fulfil this action.Although there have not been specific technology development activities on a LISA Telescope, allthe Large Space Integrators in Europe have amply demonstrated substantial capabilities to designand procure complex telescopes in several flying Scientific Missions. The Executive is thereforeconfident that European Industry can provide the LISA Telescope Assembly as per requirementsand in the needed timeframe.Several industrial discussions have taken place during July and August, that allowed the Executiveto refine the original cost estimates and get confirmation about the throughput rate necessary tomeet the LISA needs.The Executive intends to proceed with the release of an open, competitive tendering for the provisionof the Telescope Assembly for the three LISA spacecraft, with three different contractual phases tobe activated according to the evolution of the geopolitical scenario: Phase 1 ending with initial testing of the breadboard model expected Q4-26. (The activitymay be stopped at this point and transferred under national funding.) Phase 2 ending at the delivery of the Qualification Model (TRL8) expected in 2029, Phase 3 ending at the delivery of the Flight HW for one spacecraft (activation of the Phase 3foreseen at the end of 2028) expected in 2031 Phase 4 ending at the delivery of the hardware for the 3 spacecraft (activation of the Phase4 foreseen at the end of 2028, but possible also later if required).The Executive would like to highlight that the above phasing should not be interpreted as rigidlyconsequential, e.g. Phase 3 can be activated prior to the completion of phase 2. The approach isaimed at positioning the European industry to produce flight hardware at contained risk from 2029(as TRL8 achieved) and safeguard the overall LISA schedule.The Executive expects that the primes will have to involve highly specialised companies (for opticalmachining and polishing), with a traditional strong expertise in France. The material supply forZerodur is single source in Germany. The Executive estimates that, with the majority of the supply chain pre-selected at the time of the proposal in these countries, there is about 15-20% opportunitiesfor economic operators from outside the Big-4 (e.g. OGSE, facilities).The envisaged timescale for the present procurement is as follows: 24 September 2025 IPC Procurement Proposal approval Sep 2025 ITT preparation and release Oct/Nov 2025 Bid preparation Dec 2025 Bid evaluation Dec 2025, endorsement by Special SPC 28 January 2026 Contract Proposal approval at IPC February 2026 Negotiations and contract KOWith this timescale, and the kick-off of the industrial activities in February, the Executive expects todemonstrate TRL6 in 2027 and achieve TRL8 in 2029 (with Qualification Model).Given the status of the LISA Project, the Executive does not foresee any specific geo-returnrequirements for this procurement. However, the ITT will include a preference clause for underreturned countries in the Science Programme.In addition, the Tenderers will be requested to favour the participation of SMEs and Midcaps in theirconsortium and demonstrate pursuing such involvement e.g. by using esa-star communicationfeatures, RFIs or other means.Read more Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open
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