Tenders Are Invited For Eurosar Phase B1

Tenders are invited for EUROSAR PHASE B1 FOR ENVISION EUROSAR PHASE B1 FOR ENVISION Tender Action Number: 1-13251 Activity Number: 1000045579 Clarification Request Deadline 10/04/2026 13:00 CET Closing Date Extension Request Deadline 10/04/2026 13:00 CET Announcement Date 05/02/2026 Last Update On 12/03/2026 17:11 CET Update Reason Tender Action Issued Envision is a Venus orbiter mission selected by ESAs Science Programme Committee as the fifth Medium-class mission in the AgencysCosmic Vision plan. It will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior. It aims at providing a holistic view of Venus, studying the planets history, activity, and climate. Envision is an ESA-led mission in partnership with NASA who are providing, as defined in the relevant signed MOU, the VenSAR instrument, Deep Space Network support for critical mission phases and Aerobraking support.Envisions science payload consists of: A deployable dual polarization S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (NASAs VenSAR), withantenna aperture 6 m x 0.5 m, that will image selected regions of the surface at 30 m and 10 m resolution, provide global topography from stereo imaging and altimetry, surface properties from polarimetric and radiometric measurements, and search for surface changes. Three spectrometers (VenSpec-M, VenSpec-U and VenSpec-H), sharing a central control unit (CCU). A Subsurface Radar Sounder (SRS) a High Frequency (HF) sounding radar, with a 16 m dipole antenna, that will analyse the subsurface structure. A Radio Science Experiment (RSE) using the spacecraft Telemetry Tracking and Command (TTC) system and a Master Reference Oscillator (MRO) to map the planets gravity field and to measure the composition and structure of the middle atmosphereand the cloud layer through radio occultations.Envision is planned to be launched on an Ariane 64 in November 2031, with a back-uplaunch date in 2032. ESA is responsible for the mission, including procurement of the spacecraft and the launch vehicle together with the development of the ground segment (both to control the spacecraft, and for scientific purposes). As with most Science missions, the instruments are provided by Member States and International Partners contributions, with ESA providing several specific payload elements. All the NASA elements are payload related and, in case of NASA withdrawal, their potential replacements should be funded nationally, under the scheme adopted for science projects. Given the schedule criticality, ESA already embarked in exploring alternative solutions (including via RFI and parallel concept studies).The subject of the proposed procurement aims to accelerate the design of a European SAR with the same performance as VenSAR and compatible with the current spacecraft interfaces and resources,ensuring minimal impact on the development of the spacecraft. This "Phase B1" activity will incorporate design and technology maturation activities ensuring that the European SAR alternative is able to achieve a successful Instrument SRR by the end of 2026 (either potentially maintaining NASA elements as CFI, such as Reflect array Assembly, High Power Amplifier, Feed, or as a fully European solution). The expected timeline targets a Kick-Off in June 2026 and an overall duration of 6 to 9 months. In addition, the following programmatic deliverables are expected to be provided at the end of the Phase B1: ROM cost for the Phase B2/C/D/E1 of the EuropeanSAR, instrument schedule (including AIT) compatible with a launch in November 2031, and industrialisation approach for a potential Phase B2/C/D/E1 contract (including e.g. a streamlined dialogue Phase with the Agency).The intention is to place up to two parallelcontracts to European companies, provided that good quality offers are received. It is expected that during the course of 2026 there will be increasing clarity with respect to the NASA contribution to Envision and the availability of national funding enabling aninformed decision on the way forward for a potential phase B2/C/D/E1 contract for the European SAR. The information provided herein is non-binding and without prejudice to the content and results of the ITT. Read less Directorate Directorate of Science Estabilishment ESTEC Open Date 12/03/2026 17:11 CET Closing Date 24/04/2026 13:00 CET ECOS Required No Classified No Price Range > 500 KEURO Authorised Contact Person Pauline Bastie Initiating Service SCI-PV IP Measure N/A Prog. Reference E/0443-01 - EnVision Development Tender Type Open Competition Open To Tenderers From AT+BE+CH+CZ+DE+DK+EE+GR+ES+FI+FR+GB+HU+IE+IT+LU+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE+SI Technology Keywords 6-D-III-Remote Sensing Instruments Products Keywords 2-I-1-b-Imaging Radars Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open