Tenders Are Invited For The Optical Synchronized Time And Ranging (Opstar) Phases B2/C/D/E/F

Tenders are invited for The Optical Synchronized Time and Ranging (OpSTAR) Phases B2/C/D/E/F OPSTAR PHASES B2/C/D/E/F Tender Action Number: 1-13333 Activity Number: 1000045823 Clarification Request Deadline 24/06/2026 13:00 CET Closing Date Extension Request Deadline 24/06/2026 13:00 CET Announcement Date 19/03/2026 Last Update On 22/05/2026 11:27 CET Update Reason Tender Action Issued The Optical Synchronized Time and Ranging (OpSTAR) In-Orbit Demonstrator (IoD) is one of the projects approved at CM25 under Component 3: Future PNT Demonstrators of the FutureNAV programme (hereafter referred to as "OpSTAR"). OpSTAR aims to validate the use of intersatellite optical links for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)a breakthrough technology poised to transform PNT systems as we know them today. While optical links are already well established in the field of satellite communications (SatCom), their application in PNT has yet to be demonstrated.OpSTAR will be implemented in two contractual phases, following a procurement conductedthrough an open Invitation to Tender (ITT) and financial contributions distributed between CM25 and CM28. Phase 1 focusing on detailed design, development of critical subsystems, final implementation, completion of development and system qualification up to System QAR (Phase B2/C/D) Phase 2 focusing on launch and exploitation (Phase E/F)OpSTAR is a necessary step before a potential future operational introduction of optical technology within Europes Satellite Navigation infrastructure.The primary objectives ofOpSTAR are to:Qualify timing and ranging technology based on optical links (Space to Space and Space to Ground).Standardization/Interoperability of optical technology for timing, ranging and communication.Validate the resilience and autonomy expected improvements at system level.Validate improvements of performance at user and service level.Validate feasibility of new system concepts relying on optical technology.The OpSTAR activities will allow to:Design and develop the IoD infrastructure, including:oTwo satellites equipped with optical and L-Band navigation payloads.oThe associated ground segment, including an optical testbed composed of Optical Ground Stations (OGS) and synchronisation and processing facilities;oOptical test user range facilities to demonstrate user-level benefits.Launch and operate the satellites.Perform the in-orbit demonstration activities, including test user segment in-the-loop. Extrapolate the IOD results onto the full system architecture in order to draw lessons learned and recommendations for the adoption of intersatellite optical links potentially into an operational system Read less Directorate Estabilishment ESTEC Open Date 22/05/2026 11:27 CET Closing Date 08/07/2026 13:00 CET ECOS Required No Classified No Price Range > 500 KEURO Authorised Contact Person Loretta Elisabeth Wurzel Initiating Service NAV-FF IP Measure N/A Prog. Reference E/0365-110 - OpSTAR Demo Tender Type Open Competition Open To Tenderers From BE+CA+CH+CZ+DE+ES+GB+IT+LV+NL+NO+PL+SE Technology Keywords 1-A-I-System Technologies for Payload Data Processing 5-B-III-High Accuracy Pointing Technologies 6-B-I-Navigation Subsystems and Concepts and Engineering Tools 6-C-IV-Proximity Link 6-E-V-Frequency & Time Generation and Distribution for Space Applications Products Keywords 2-G-1-a-Optical terminals 4-A-2-d-Operational Support (POD, GNSS, DDOR,...) Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open

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