Tenders Are Invited For Supply Of Vigil Solar Array in Italy

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Tenders are invited for Supply of Vigil Solar Array Vigil (formerly known as Lagrange), is an ESA Space Safety Programme (S2P) mission dedicated to position a satellite at the Lagrangian point L5 with the objective to perform continuous observations of the Sun and in particular, the space between the Earth and the Sun thereby providing measurement data for operational space weather services. The current satellites which monitor Space Weather are nearing the end of their life and need to be replaced to ensure continuity of solar observations. These current satellites primarily operate from a science perspective, with the focus on studying the Sun for scientific purposes. However, an operational monitoring capability is now required to ensure accurate and timely forecasts are consistently available to provide advanced warnings of solar activity which threatens Earth, so that appropriate mitigation actions can be taken. The ESA Vigil Mission will provide operational forecasting from the L5 Lagrange point, whilst a complimentary mission performed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will provide operational forecasting from the L1 Lagrange point. This notification of Intended Invitation To Tender concerns the procurement of Solar Array by Airbus Defence and Space Ltd as Prime contractor of the Vigil project. The supplier selection will be made in accordance with the principles of ESA Best Practices. The scope of this procurement covers the design, development (including the required qualification activities), manufacturing, testing and delivery of the Solar Array. The function of the Solar Array is to generate electrical energy during sunlight periods to be consumed by the spacecraft equipment and instruments and to recharge the battery. Physically the Solar Array is anticipated to be a single body mounted panel (i.e. non-deployable) unit consisting of: Panel structure; Photo Voltaic Assembly (PVA) on the sun facing side; Thermal hardware to control the temperature; Transfer harness; Thermistors for temperature measurement; Bleed resistors. The Solar Array shall be delivered as Proto-Flight Model (PFM) which will be used for flight accompanied by a set of MGSE required for spacecraft integration, lifting, handling, etc as specified in the statement of work. The Invitation To Tender will be addressed to economic operators (including those deemed to act as subcontractors) whose registered office is established in such Member and Associated States which, by the time of the Contract award decision, will be a participating State in the ESA Vigil project.Read more Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/nonEsaTenderActions/filter/open

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