Tenders Are Invited For Optimization Of Laser Intensity On Space Debris Via Coherent Beam Combination

Tenders are invited for T811-900GS OPTIMIZATION OF LASER INTENSITY ON SPACE DEBRIS VIA COHERENT BEAM COMBINATION (EXPRO+) Tender Action Number: 1-13360 Activity Number: 1000045894 Clarification Request Deadline 07/09/2026 13:00 CET Closing Date Extension Request Deadline 07/09/2026 13:00 CET Announcement Date 18/03/2026 Last Update On 30/07/2026 09:42 CET Update Reason Tender Action Issued Recently, strategies have been explored to perturb space debris orbits using high-power ground-based lasersystems. This method, known as laser momentum transfer, can also be used for deep-space opticalcommunications. Multi-beam architectures have been designed and implemented to obtain the required powerlevels that would be unachievable with a single laser source or that would be limited by atmospheric turbulenceeffects. In a recent study on laser momentum transfer, 40 kW-class lasers based on multiple beams have beenproposed to alter the orbits of space debris and prevent collisions with active satellites.One challenge is delivering the generated power to the selected target while minimizing losses caused by laserpropagation and ensuring efficient momentum transfer for collision avoidance manoeuvres. Adaptive opticssystems have been considered but there are still several challenges due to the limited maturity of thistechnology. For example, retrieving tip-tilt information to compensate for atmospheric turbulence still dependson sunlight reflected from debris, which is a limiting factor in operational terms. Additionally, todays deformablemirror technology is not mature enough for the power levels needed for this application. While research is stillongoing, Coherent Beam Combining (CBC) techniques could offer a valid alternative to mitigate atmosphericeffects. This approach has the potential to correct the negative impact of atmospheric turbulence in systemsinvolving multiple beams.This activity aims at investigating CBC techniques to concentrate the highest possible intensity on the target,dynamically adjusting the phase of each beam, and achieving an optimal relationship between the phases ofthe multiple beams.Procurement Policy: C(3) = Activity restricted to SMEs RD Entities. For additional information please go to:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_Enterprises/Opportunities_for_SMEs/Procurement_policy_on_fair_access_for_SMEs_-_the_C1-C4_ClausesRead more Directorate Directorate of Operations Estabilishment ESOC Open Date 30/07/2026 09:42 CET Closing Date 21/09/2026 13:00 CET ECOS Required No Classified No Price Range > 500 KEURO Authorised Contact Person Maren Bednarek Initiating Service OPS-GSO IP Measure C3 Prog. Reference E/0901-01 - Technology Developme 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 11-A-II-Ground-based Optical Measurements of Debris and Meteoroids 12-A-I-Advanced Ground Station Design Concepts Products Keywords 4-B-4-n-Other Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open