ESA Open Invitation To Tender Definition of Human Transportation Systems for LEO and Exploration Missions

Relevance: In recognition of the importance of an independent European access to the ISS, and in anticipation of the requirements arising from human exploration missions, the study is relevant both to the current ISS exploitation and other future missions such as those considered in the frame of the Aurora human and robotics space exploration programme. The study shall also address possible commonalities in the two applications for the identified human space transportation systems.The identification of the options to provide human transportation capability to the ISS within its lifetime and with potential for expanding the flight envelope to missions beyond LEO is proposed here.
The study will focus on crew transportation, considering cargo transportation as a contingency case only. Adequate mission requirements will be proposed and discussed for the ISS Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) and Crew Transfer Vehicle (CTV) missions, including aspects such as number of crewmembers, overall size and mass. The proposed study shall initially assess the applicability of space transportation systems (including all relevant system aspects e.g. mission requirements/analysis, architecture, avionics, thermal protection systems, ECLS, operations, degree of reusability) previously considered in the frame of the MSTP and CRV/CTV Phase 0/A with particular emphasis on the following configurations:
- Capsules (Apollo, Soyuz and Viking-type heat shield);
- Slender Body;
- Biconics (axisymmetric and bent).
The corresponding internal layout and preliminary definition of the main subsystems will be performed and alternative crew escape systems will be studied. All the proposed configurations shall be considered to be launched by an Ariane 5 as available in operational status within a timeframe compatible with the foreseen vehicle development. Dedicated launch as well as possible shared launch with other infrastructure payloads shall be considered.
In a second step, the configurations selected from the previous analysis shall be considered for application to a highly ccentric/ parabolic/ hyperbolic reentry mission from either a parking orbit (e.g. geostationary or GTO) or planetary return, such as those relevant to human space exploration. The appropriateness of the configurations considered shall be analysed and rated with respect to the following aspects (initially restricted to ISS servicing):
- Crew Safety during all operation phases: at launch pad, during ascent and reentry, during docking and abort scenarios;
- Compatibility with the commercial Ariane 5 launch system, possible role of Soyuz;
- Performance in ISS Crew Return/Payload Return mode (e.g. deorbit opportunities, landing precision, environment during reentry -g-loads, acoustics);
- Performance in ISS Crew Transfer mode;
- Reusability;
- Time to availability/Technology readiness level;
- Cost to completion of development/operational cost;
- Programmatic aspects: schedule, development plan, major technologies development road-map;
- Performance sensitivity with respect to number of crew members up/down.
Also the configurations exhibiting potential for upgrade to human space exploration, issued from the second step, shall be traded with respect to the following criteria:
- Highly ccentric/ Parabolic/ Hyperbolic reentry survivability;
- Ergonomy to allow for long(er) duration missions;
- Time to availability /Technology readiness/development;
- Delta cost to completion.
Finally, the selection, verification and detailed definition at subsystem level of candidate vehicles shall be performed. The maturity level reached after completion of this step is expected to allow for the preparation of a programme proposal.
Title: DEFINITION OF HUMAN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS FOR LEO AND EXPLORATION MISSIONS
Open Date: 04/02/2004
Closing Date: 22/03/2004
Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 03.197.07
Prog. Ref.: GS 03/L41
Budget Ref.: 100060 – General Studies
Special Prov.: B+DK+F+D+I+NL+E+S+CH+GB+IRL+A+N+FIN+POR+CDN
Proc. Prop: DIPC
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Mots-cles: LANCEURS & VOLS HABITES / Lanceurs & vols habites
Keywords: LAUNCHER & MANNED FLIGHTS / Launcher & Manned Flights
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: STRATEGY AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS – D/SER
Department: ADVANCED CONCEPTS & STUDIES OFFICE / SER-A
Responsible: MR ONGARO
Last Update Date: 04/02/2004
Update Reason: Tender issue