Update 19.10.2023: Notification on selection is pending, all proposing teams will be notified asap.
Update 30.08.2023: A Q&A session is planned for Tuesday 5 September from 10h00-12h00 CEST. Interested teams will get more information on payload selection, development, and integration.
Update 18.08.2023: Details on ISS requirements can be found in the SSP57000 document (see attachments on this page). In addition, potential applicants can reach out with specific questions through this campaign either publicly or privately. The ESA team will ensure a timely response.
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Through this Announcement of Opportunity (AO), ESA and the Polish Space Agency (POLSA) seek proposals from Polish entities (academic and/or industry) for activities, including development. The proposed ideas should target scientific activities, technology demonstrations, and/or educational activities. These ideas will be jointly evaluated by ESA experts from ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration Programme Directorate (HRE) and POLSA. Selected proposals will be jointly approved by ESA and POLSA.
BACKGROUND
The International Space Station (ISS) with ESA’s Columbus module, which orbits in LEO, has been a critical platform for conducting scientific research in microgravity. The ISS has hosted numerous experiments in a wide range of fields, including biology, physics, and materials science. The unique microgravity environment of the ISS allows researchers to study phenomena that are impossible to observe on Earth, such as the behaviour of fluids, flames, and biological systems.
Moreover, the location of LEO makes it an ideal location for space exploration missions. The relatively short distance from Earth and the ability to easily communicate with ground control make LEO an attractive location for testing new technologies and conducting scientific investigations. LEO is an important step in the path to further exploration of the Moon and other destinations in deep space.
Figure 1: ESA’s Columbus module on ISS
This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) is dedicated to proposals for Polish development activities that target scientific research, showcase technology capabilities, and/or education, and should be in line with ESA’s HRE strategy and/or ESA Education strategies. ESA’s HRE programme is known by the name Terrae Novae, referring to the new worlds from our three exploration destinations: Low Earth Orbit, Moon, and Mars.
The Terrae Novae exploration programme is leading Europe’s human journey into the Solar system using robots as precursors and scouts. Exploring space is about travelling farther and coming back with new experiences and knowledge to help us on Earth. Humankind will benefit from the new discoveries, ambitions, science, inspiration, and challenges.
The Terrae Novae programme is supported by two transversal activity areas: SciSpacE (Science in the Space Environment) and ExPeRT (Exploration Preparation Research and Technology). The science of the Terrae Novae programme is defined and coordinated by SciSpacE, while ExPeRT is responsible for the development and studies and technologies for future exploration missions along the HRE destinations.
ESA’s SciSpacE Strategy aims to explore and expand human presence in space focusing on Moon and Mars. Therefore, SciSpacE is focusing its research on six spotlights;
- Humans living on Moon and Mars
- Astronaut 2.0
- Space Travel and Transportation
- Extra-terrestrial Life: Origin, Evolution, and Protection
- Exploring the Principles of Nature
- The Nature of Exploration Destinations
The SciSpacE Strategy Roadmap defined key science questions to be addressed within each spotlight (see attachment). More information on SciSpacE can be found here.
Figure 2: SciSpacE spotlights
ExPeRT is working along sixteen key technology areas for exploration, which are summarized in Figure 3. More information on ExPeRT can be found here.
Figure 3: ExPeRT key technology areas
Proposals could be focusing on a variety of topics. Some non-exhaustive examples are listed here below:
- Medical systems assessing crew health and performance, both directly from the human body and the surrounding environment, also considering space exploration missions;
- Activities focusing on countermeasures for crew health and performance, also considering space exploration missions;
- State-of-the-art technology for biological research, e.g., lab-on-chip, 3D Bioprinting, in-situ analytics, etc.;
- Activities focusing on impact of microgravity on various biological (incl. human health) and physical phenomena, e.g., on plant growth, on microbial growth and biofilms, fluid dynamics, combustion, etc.;
- Activities focusing on better understanding the impact of radiation and how to protect crew and materials from it,
- Activities demonstrating performance of electrical, mechanical or electromechanical systems which can assist crew in space exploration missions
ESA’s Education Programme uses the fascination and the incredible knowledge generated by Europe’s unique space programme for the education and the benefit of the younger generation - from early age to early professional levels - and for the growth of society at large. Education activities are an integral and highly inspirational part of ESA astronaut missions to the International Space Station, previously including experiments with dedicated payloads, demonstrations, scripted videos, and imagery.
Proposals for education activities may cover a wide range of topics and should aim to:
- Inspire, attract and involve engage the younger generation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities;
- Provide concrete opportunities for development of STEM skills through active learning;
- Promote interdisciplinarity and the real practice of science (data & scientific method);
- Stimulate development of soft skills and competences, such as collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, context, sustainable and systems thinking, culture of inclusiveness and respect, empathy, resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship;
- Build awareness about the wealth of career opportunities available in the STEM and space sectors, and provide access to role models and experts;
- Be inclusive-by-design, engaging a diverse range of communities and promoting accessibility to the STEM and space sectors;
- Create greater awareness in society and decision-makers about the existence and significant benefits of a European space programme, about the possibilities offered by space in today’s world, and the importance of research and technical science.
OBJECTIVE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY
The objective of this Announcement of Opportunity is to solicit for proposals coming from Polish entities to target activities, including payload development, focused on science, technology demonstrations, and/or education that can fly to the ISS as early as May 2024.
The selected proposals are eligible to receive funding.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Submit your proposal by clicking “Submit Your Idea” and filling in all sections of the submission form and uploading supplementary information where indicated. Check the standard and special conditions for eligibility before submitting a proposal.
You can use the OSIP platform to ask questions as needed.
Timeline AO
- Release AO: 04 August 2023
- Deadline AO: 8 September 2023 (23h59 CEST)
- Notification to proposers: NLT end of September 2023
Timeline development
This AO is targeting opportunities for future Axiom missions, and priority will be given to proposals that can deliver for an ISS flight opportunity in May 2024. Proposals with a longer delivery time will not be excluded.
