IOD/IOV Service (Horizon Europe) - IHE5-1 Rideshare Opportunities for Experiments Needing Aggregation

One of the main objectives of the Space Strategy for Europe is to foster a globally competitive and innovative European space sector, in particular by improving support to technological maturation, for sub-systems, equipment and technologies, including in-orbit demonstration and validation activities, to reduce time to market. To ensure the European Union non-dependence and competitiveness in technologies, there is a clear need for a regular, sustainable, cost-effective and responsive In-Orbit Demonstration/Validation (IOD/IOV) service in the European Union. Space flight heritage in real conditions and environment is often required to de-risk innovations such as new technologies, products, concepts, architectures, and operations techniques, are they for unique or recurrent, institutional or commercial missions. On 31 March 2023, the European Commission issued a call for expression of interest for IOD/IOV Experiments needing aggregation (available here: https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/funding-and-grants/calls-proposals/orbit-demonstrationvalidation-20232026_en). The objective is to promote European competitiveness and non-dependence by offering flight opportunities through IOD/IOV for European experiments. The European Commission expects to select a number of experiments that would fly with the Horizon Europe Cassini In-Orbit Demonstration/Validation (IOD/IOV) service. The activity “IHE5-1 Rideshare Opportunities for Experiments needing Aggregation” will result in a number of flight opportunities which will provide the Horizon Europe In-Orbit demonstration/Validation (IOD/IOV) service with a range of flight opportunities to fly IOD/IOV Experiments (selected in the frame of the call above) on-board existing missions. The procurement of Rideshare Opportunities for Experiments needing aggregation will be organized in two steps: • Establishment of a pool of European Rideshare Service Providers for the implementation of Rideshare services in the 2024 – 2027 timeframe, through the award of frame contracts to each selected Rideshare Service Provider. • Procurement of specific Rideshare services for selected IOD/IOV Experiments among the pool of European Rideshare Service Providers, through the award of Work Orders. The Rideshare service activities include: • Conduct a thorough requirements analysis for each Experiment. • Define the technical and operational requirements for Experiment accommodation, including interface specifications and environmental constraints. • Develop detailed designs for the mechanical, electrical, thermal, and data interfaces between the Experiments and the spacecraft bus. • Create Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for each Experiment. • Develop a comprehensive Integration Plan that includes step-by-step procedures for integrating each Experiment onto the spacecraft bus. • Identify required tools, facilities, and personnel for integration activities. • Define Model Philosophy for the Experiment • Define qualification and acceptance approach for the Experiment • Develop a Test Plan that outlines functional and environmental testing procedures for the integrated Experiments. • Conduct tests to validate the integration, including vibration, thermal, and functional tests. • Verify interface compatibility between the Experiment and the available spacecraft bus. • Integrate Experiments onto the spacecraft bus using appropriate interfaces and mounting techniques. • Conduct functional and environmental testing to ensure Experiment integrity and readiness for launch on the spacecraft bus. • Provide or procure the launch service and necessary ground support equipment. • Monitor Experiment initial operations from the spacecraft bus. • Perform in orbit operations and support to ensure Experiments achieve intended operational status and functionality. • Deliver in orbit Experiment data to the Experiment Providers, with a right to use for ESA and EU This project is funded by the European Union. ESA is the contracting authority and runs the procurement under the ESA/REG/001 rev.5. adapted as per the signed FFPA agreement.