Tandem-L Space Segment Bridging Phase

Kurze Beschreibung

Tandem-L is a proposal for a highly innovative L-band SAR satellite mission for the global observation of dynamic processes on the Earth’s surface with hitherto unknown quality and resolution. Thanks to the novel imaging techniques and the vast recording capacity, it will provide urgently needed information for solving pressing scientific questions in the areas of the biosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and hydrosphere. By this, the new L-band SAR mission will make vital contributions towards a better understanding of the Earth system and its dynamics.
For more informations see tender docuements.

Beschreibung der Beschaffung

The Tandem-L Bridging Phase shall be organised in 3 parts. The first part will be devoted to the close-out of the Phase B1 including the following tasks:
— consolidate the critical analysis of the Space Segment SRD that will act as reference for the detailed definition of the system and provide the framework for the lower level specifications,
— establish the technical baseline of the satellite and payload at the required SRR level, taking into consideration the outcome of the Tandem-L Phase A and Phase B1 studies as well as the technological pre-development activities,
— generate platform, instrument, and sub-systems technical specifications Phase B1 will be concluded in a system requirements review about 4 – 5 months after KO.
The second part of the study shall be devoted to a descoped Phase B2 with the goal of reaching PDR-status for critical aspects of the SAR payload. It shall include the following tasks:
— establish a preliminary design definition for the selected payload concept and retained technical solutions,
— verify the preliminary design of the selected concept and technical solutions against system requirements,
— establish the verification approach including model philosophy,
— establish a detailed programme implementation approach,
— provide a schedule and cost estimate for the implementation phases B2/C/D/E1 of the Tandem-L mission As end milestone a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) concentrating on the critical SAR payload aspects shall be performed.
The overall duration of part 1 and 2 of the bridging phase will be 15 months.
In parallel to the Phase B1 close-out and descoped Phase B2 and as third part of the study, pre-development activities shall be continued for transmit-receive modules and digital electronics.
TRL 5 shall be reached by the end of this bridging phase.
The following suitability criteria serves as pre-selection:
E1: Experience in conception, design and implementation of spaceborne SAR missions employing planar array and/or reflector technology on national and ESA level. (number:
2 written references within the last 10 years).
(Rationale: such experience ensure that the work becomes quickly productive and fits into the specific space mission and satellite project environment. Particularly for SAR, experience from the real implementation of concepts and design studies are crucial for efficient and robust definition of new concepts.).
E 2: Proven expertise in digital beam forming techniques, onboard processing and data reduction (number: one written reference within the last 5 years).
(Rationale: digital beam forming, onboard processing and data reduction are key elements of the Tandem-L mission concept and the pre-requisite for required high imaging capacity).
E 3: Experience in SAR System Engineering. (number: 2 written references within the last 5 years).
(Rationale: experience in SAR System Engineering is crucial for this contract.) As an option DLR may decide to assign more than one company to perform the requested study.
Planned terms of the contract: 1.8.2019 – 31.10.2020 As an option DLR may decide to assign more than one company to perform the requested study.