Announcement of Opportunity (AO)
for Orbital platform
An avenue for in-orbit scientific experiments
Indian Space Research Organisation
Bangalore- 560 231
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Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for in-orbit scientific experiments on
Orbital Platform (PS4-OP)
ISRO solicits proposals in response to this Announcement of Opportunity call
for payloads on PS4-Orbital Platform.
Objective
PS4-Orbital Platform (PS4-OP) refers to a novel idea formulated by ISRO to
use the spent PS4 stage (fourth stage of PSLV) to carry out in-orbit scientific
experiments for an extended duration of 1-6 months. The advantage being the
stage has standard interfaces & packages for power generation, telemetry,
tele-command, stabilisation, orbit keeping & orbit manoeuvring. The scientific
community/ research organisations can design the experiment and utilise the
OP interfaces for powering, data management & specific experimental
requirements. In short, ISRO is extending its expertise in space technology to
the scientific community as a platform to design, develop & validate their
experiments in an effective manner.
Background
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a four stage launch vehicle primarily
designed to inject satellites in to Polar orbits (SSPO). PSLV has completed 48
missions and has successfully injected 356 satellites, till date. During this
period, PSLV has emerged as a versatile vehicle having capability to
undertake a variety of missions including Low Earth Orbit missions, Sun
Synchronous Orbit missions, transfer orbits to Geostationary/ Planetary/ Lunar
missions. The capability of providing power, telemetry & data downlink for the
payloads housed in OP has been demonstrated in previous missions.
Payload avenues
Microgravity experiments
Robotic arm/ Smart Space robot technology demonstration
Rendezvous & docking experiments
Small satellites technology development
Laser communication technology development
Low cost platform for testing Inflatable systems
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Platform capability (for each payload)
Mass : 10kg (max)
Volume: 1U/2U/3U
Power: 10W (max)
Period: 1-6 months
Purpose of this AO
Proposals are solicited from National/International Scientific Community for
novel space based experiments to be configured in PS4-Orbital Platform. The
AO has a specific objective to invite important payloads for inclusion in the OP
mission to strengthen / complement the space based research activities taking
place in industries/ academia.
Each proposal shall clearly identify a Principal Investigator (PI) and a Lead
Funding Agency (LFA) for the proposed payload. Proposals will clearly need
to spell out the objective and requirements from the platform.
Proposers are expected to be currently involved in space based research /
validation of specific experiments in micro gravity conditions/ development of
payloads for space based applications/ or any competent team willing to
develop space worthy experiments and have access to associated facilities for
payload testing. The Principal Investigator of the proposal should be capable
of
(i)
Providing necessary details of the payload which can address
proposed objective.
(ii)
Assembling a capable team and lead the team to deliver a space-
qualified payload.
(iii)
Ensuring that payload/ instrument meet the Qualification specified
as per ISRO standards. (Guidelines given in Annexure I to be
followed).
The proposers are strongly encouraged for sharing of payload data, analysis
results and publications with ISRO team. It assumes there will be no
exchange of funds under this activity between ISRO and proposing teams.
All proposals should be submitted to SIPO/ ISRO HQ through the respective
agencies (Space agency/ Academic Institutions/Research Laboratories) and
must be signed by an official authorised to certify, support and sponsor the
investigation as well as the manage the financial aspects, on behalf of the
Space agency/Institution/Research Laboratories.
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The Proposal in both word and pdf formats are to be submitted by speed post
and email to:
Director,
Space Infrastructure Programme Office
ISRO HQ, Antariksh Bhavan,
New BEL Road,
Bangalore-560 231
Email: sipo@isro.gov.in
The confirmation upon the receipt of the proposal will be sent by e-mail.
Questions and clarifications may be send to the address above.
Selection process
ISRO will constitute a
‘Selection Committee’ to screen the proposals and
select them based on scientific benefits, relevance and technical content.
Proposers who satisfy the eligibility criteria and whose proposal is
recommended for further consideration by the Selection Committee will be
contacted by email.
Special Notes
1.
There will be no exchange of funds between ISRO and the Proposer.
2.
The launch schedule of selected payloads will be intimated to the
proposers by ISRO.
3.
For details on (1) Guidelines for development of payload and (2)
Proposal preparation format please visit www.isro.gov.in
4.
Additional changes / modifications (if any) in the proposal submission
process (prior to submission deadline) will be made visible on the ISRO
website. Proposing teams are expected to regularly check ISRO website
(www.isro.gov.in) for additional details and updates.
5.
ISRO reserves the right to select or not to select any payload under this
program and shall not be held liable.
Last Date
The last date for receiving the proposal is 31st December 2019.
The format for preparation of proposal document is given in Annexure-II
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Annexure-I
Guidelines for development of instrument/ payload
1 Payload to be configured as a functionally standalone system. Mass &
volume is to be limited to 10kg and standard 1U/2U/3U dimensions. Any
waiver for mechanical interface/ mass is to be obtained from ISRO prior to
design finalisation.
2. Payload should be able to operate using 28V power bus (RAW power)
provided from PS4-OP.
3. Payload
to
contain
only
MIL
grade
components.
Use
of
commercial/industrial grade components is subject to satisfactory
completion of specified acceptance tests.
4. RF payload frequency/ power & sensitivity to be finalised after payload
interference study with the existing RF elements in PS4-OP/ passenger
payloads.
5. D-Type/ Circular MIL grade connectors to be used for electrical interface.
6. Payload should be capable of re-configuring itself into intended
configuration, in case of an unexpected power interruption during OP
Phase.
7. Electrical interface & mechanical interface (signed by competent authority)
reviewed and cleared by Selection committee to be made available 3
months prior to the targeted launch date, to initiate interface preparation at
the launch vehicle side. Further changes in the interface details are not
allowed.
8. Dummy mass/ balancing with identical mass & footprint to be made
available in case of non-readiness of the system (after the realisation of
vehicle interfaces) for launch.
9. Payloads to be qualified / acceptance tested to the environmental test
levels specified for PSLV.
10. Signed copy of compliance certificate is to be provided by the Principal
Investigator.
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Annexure-II
Format for preparation of proposal document
1. Cover Page should include the following:
a) Complete Title of the Proposal
b) Name and address of Principal Investigator including e-mail,
telephone and fax numbers
c) Name of Co-PIs, their address, e-mails etc.
d) Original signed hard copy of the cover page should be submitted
2. Executive Summary of the proposal (~Two A4 size pages in 12 point
font)
3. (A brief description of the proposal stating the broad scientific objectives
and specific aims of the proposed experiment is to be provided. It
should include a concise description of payload design and methods for
realising the hardware and software components)
4. Payload objectives
5. Basic concept and description of the payload (include line diagrams or
6. schematic) with interface details & data downlink requirements.
7. Description of heritage and past experience in payload development, if
any.
8. Broad specifications of the payload/experiment including dimensions,
weight, power, parameters to be measured (including measurement
accuracies), data rates, TM, TC etc.
9. Anticipated new technology development to realise the payload and
back up strategies in the event of non availability of the expected
technology.
10. Design approach and specifications, development process, test,
evaluation and calibration procedures.
11. Development strategy i.e., stages of qualification model, engineering
model, flight model etc.
12. Definition of success criteria of the payload.
13. Plans for data processing, management and archival.
14. Description of required post-launch ground operation support.
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15. Any special requirement of payload interfaces from the Orbital platform.
16. Realisation plan & schedule of delivery with QA clearance certificates.
17. Procedure to monitor and review the progress of the development as
per schedule and the quality assurance aspects.
18. Mode of participation in the final integration, testing, calibration and
checkout.
19. Complete list of names, with affiliation and e-mail addresses of the Co-
PIs with specific mention of their expertise and roles in the Payload
development