Tenders Are Invited For Theoretical Consolidation Of Esd Characteristics In Flight And Experimental Validation - Expro Plus

Tenders are invited for Theoretical Consolidation of Esd Characteristics in Flight and Experimental Validation - Expro Plus Following geostationary satellite anomalies in 80s, the Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) phenomena have been classified in the literature based on the results of Spacecraft Charging at High Altitudes project. Those can be split into metal-to-metal ESDs, triple point discharges (leading to flash-over), dielectric materials discharges (punch-through), and blow-off. Experimental characterisation has been performed on solar array coupons, from which models describing flash-over discharges have been elaborated.Efforts have beensuccessfully put into characterising the charging environment in geostationary orbit (i.e. ECSS-E-ST-20-06), characterising the properties of dielectric materials, developing software to predict the charging of satellites (e.g. Spacecraft Plasma Interaction Software-SPIS) and analysing (experimentally and numerically) the discharge phenomena on the solar arrays of telecom satellites, following problems that appeared in the 90s.The knowledge of ESD characteristics (sequence of events, current slew rate, amplitude, extent, propagation, etc.) is much less consolidated, especially for complex geometries (e.g. connectors) or the variety of scenarios occurring on spacecraft. One limitation is the difficulty to simulate experimentally and numerically ESD phenomena. While dedicated (irradiation) facilities exist than can reproduce environment triggered discharge conditions in specific configurations (GEO or LEO), there is no experimental facility dedicated to ESD parameters measurement (e.g. breakdown voltage, discharge current rise time) in controlled environment, as well as damage characterization. This strongly limits the possibilities of improving ESD test programmes andto assess impact on missions. The relevance and feasibility of such experimental facility requires to be assessed, and breadboards to be developed.This activity encompasses the following tasks:- Review of the physical theories, models and numerical codes addressing ESD applicable to spacecraft, including Solar Array- Review of mainstream ESD scenarios on spacecraft and their characteristics to select test cases- Review of ESD-oriented facilities characteristics and their capability to address relevant discharge scenarios to select a test facility- Measurement of discharge characteristics for selected test cases to correlate test results with models- Investigation and development of necessary model extensions- Preliminary design of a test facility to perform ESD characterization and ESD materials damage assessments Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open