TALLINN HELSINKI OPTICAL RELAY (THOR) TESTBED (ARTES 4.0 SL SPL 6C.092) - REQUESTED
About This Opportunity
This is a services contract in the information and communication technology sector. Located in International, Europe, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums.
Published through ESA - European Space Agency, a multilateral development bank that follows standardized international procurement guidelines. Projects funded by multilateral institutions are generally open to international bidders from eligible member countries for services in the information and communication technology sector. Service contracts are typically evaluated on both technical quality and price, and may require bidders to demonstrate relevant experience and qualified personnel. This is an advance notice — the formal tender is expected to be published shortly. Interested parties can use this time to prepare documentation and identify potential partners.
Description
Objective: The objective of the activity is to define and develop a free space optical communication testbed suitable for testing a cross-atmospheric optical connectivity in the horizontal link between Tallinn and Helsinki.
Targeted Improvements: To create a terrestrial testbed capability allowing for demonstration and long-term communication testing. The testbed will provide information on the long-distance atmospheric channel and the stability of the optical links in fixed and mobile configuration. The testbed facility will support new technology developments for optical and quantum satellite communication.
Description: Most of satellite constellations developed these days include intersatellite links. However, the adaptation of cross-atmospheric links remains to be progressing slowly. One of the challenges is the limited availability of outdoor, free-space testbeds. The proposed testbed facility will enable testing over the long-distance, cross-atmospheric channel created between two stations located in Tallinn and Helsinki.
The testbed will allow for fixed-points free-space optical connection, demonstrating and validating a continuous datalink between interoperable terminals and transceivers aligned with satellite optical communication standards. The testbed should allow to collect and analyse information on the atmospheric channel over multiple seasons. It should monitor weather conditions and investigate beam dissipation dynamics and various mitigation strategies. The spatially dynamic optical links will also be demonstrated to test and validate a free-space optical datalink between moving terminals. The testbed should foresee and facilitate testing of quantum-encrypted free-space optical communication capabilities. The preparation to demonstrate data-relay with a satellite link is planned to be included in the activity.
Data provenance
This notice is sourced from ESA - European Space Agency and was originally published on June 1, 2026. Last refreshed 5 days ago. BidsFactory mirrors official procurement notices and links back to the source for full legal text.
About European Space Agency (ESA)
European Space Agency (ESA) has issued 555 procurement notices on BidsFactory, including 204 currently open and 138 awarded contracts. Activity concentrates in Information & Communication Technology, Transport & Logistics, and Environment & Climate. Tenders span 9 countries including Denmark, Czech Republic, and Austria. Notices are distributed via ESA - European Space Agency. Most recent publication: June 10, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about this tender
Where will the contract be performed?
The contract is for delivery in International. Foreign bidders should review local registration, taxation, and any in-country presence requirements before submitting.
How can I submit a bid?
Visit ESA - European Space Agency to access the full notice, required documents, and submission instructions provided by the contracting authority.
Who is the contracting authority?
This notice was issued by European Space Agency (ESA) in International. The authority is responsible for evaluating bids, awarding the contract, and managing performance.
What type of contract is this?
This is a Services contract in the Information & Communication Technology sector. The classification helps bidders match the opportunity to their qualifications and registered scope of supply.
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