Concurrent Design Facility
The Concurrent Design Facility is the European Space Agency main assessment center for future space missions and industrial review. Located at ESTEC, ESA's technical center in Noordwijk in The Netherlands, it has been operational since early 2000.
As suggested by its name, the CDF uses concurrent engineering methodology to perform effective, fast and cheap space mission studies. Equipped with a state-of-the-art network of computers, multimedia devices and software tools, the CDF allows teams of experts to perform design studies during working sessions.
Activities
The CDF is mainly in charge of performing the assessment studies of future missions for the European Space Agency. These assessment studies are phase 0 or pre-phase A studies where the needs are identified and Mission Analysis is performed. Phase 0 allows the following:- Identification and characterisation of the intended mission.
- Expression in terms of needs, expected performance and dependability and safety goals.space
- Assessment of operating constraints, in particular as regards the physical and operational environment.
- Identification of possible system concepts, with emphasis on the degree of innovation and any critical aspect.
- Preliminary assessment of project management data.
Current main activities
List of assessment studies
A list of assessment studies accomplished by the CDF is:| Year | Title | Customer | Online Report |
| 2016 | ALASCC - Assessment of Airborne Launch of Spacecraft Constellation | LAU/GSP | |
| SHAME - Assessment of Space Hardware Advanced Manufacturing Engineering | TEC/GSP | ||
| MSR Carrier - Mars Sample Return Carrier Mission | HRE/GSP | ||
| EHEV - Assessment of European Human Exploration Vehicle | HRE | ||
| COUPLED - SysNova Concept Study of CubeSat Opportunity Payload Internetworking Sensors | GSP | ||
| AIM PRR - Combined Industrial Preliminary Requirements Review | GSP | ||
| AIM iSRR - Combined Industrial Intermediate System Requirements Review | GSP | ||
| 2015 | SpectroCube - NanoSat Astrobiology/Chemistry mission for HEO | GSP | http://emits.sso.esa.int/emits-doc/ESTEC/AO6445-Nanosat-v3.pdf |
| Global-V - Instrument study for future Chinese Space Mission | BELSPO | ||
| CTH-B - Cis Lunar Transfer Habitat Bus | HSO/GSP | ||
| SMILE - Assessment of Payload Module for Joint ESA/CAS Mission | SRE/GSP | ||
| XIPE - Assessment of X-ray Telescope Mission as part of Cosmic Vision M-Class Selection | SRE/GSP | ||
| HAPI - SysNova Winner - Atmospheric Measurement of Nitrogen Dioxide using Nanosatellite Constellation | GSP | ||
| ORORO - SysNova Winner - Radio Occultation and Reflectometry with Nanosatellite Constellation | GSP | ||
| ARIEL - Assessment of Infrared Exoplanet Large Survey Mission as part of Cosmic Vision M-Class Selection | SRE/GSP | ||
| THOR - Mission to Explore Plasma Energisation in Space Turbulence as part of Cosmic Vision M-Class Selection | SRE/GSP | ||
| PRIDE - Assessment of Innovative Space Vehicles | LAU | ||
| HERACLES - Human/Robotic Lunar Partnership Mission | HSO/GSP | ||
| d.Deorbit - Joint ESA/DLR Assessment of In-Orbit Demonstrator | TEC/GSP | ||
| CLEP - Assessment of a Europa Moon Penetrator | SRE/GSP | http://sci.esa.int/future-missions-department/56440-assessment-of-a-europa-penetrator-mission-clep-cdf-study/# | |
| CLEO - Assessment of a Jovian Moon Flyby Mission | SRE/GSP | ||
| Vega 3S - Launch Configuration for Small Satellites with Vega Launcher | LAU/GSP | ||
| 2014 | MEX14 OCDT Demonstration and Development Study | GSP | |
| HRLPM - Human Robotic Lunar Partnership Mission | HSO-KS/GSP | ||
| SAOCOM PRR - Preliminary Requirements Review | EOP | ||
| SULTAN - System of Systems Study ISR Capability Study | GSP | ||
| HEMS1 - Explorations Scenarios | HSO/GSP | ||
| e.Deorbit PRR - Preliminary Requirements Review | GSP | ||
| NGCryoTel - Assessment Study for Next Generation Cryogenic IR Telescope | SRE-PF/GSP | http://sci.esa.int/future-missions-office/56046-cdf-study-report-next-generation-cryogenic-infra-red-telescope-ng-cryoirtel/# | |
| ATHENA - X-Ray Telescope Assessment Study | SRE-PF/GSP | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/documents/400752/400864/ATHENA+-+CDF+Study+Report.pdf | |
| AIM3P - Asteroid Impact Mission Payload Investigation | GSP | ||
| MarsFAST - Assessment of Rapid Rover for Mars | SRE-PF/GSP | http://sci.esa.int/future-missions-department/56167-cdf-study-report-marsfast-rover/# | |
| MAPPER RDV - Assessment of Rendezvous Alternative for MAPPER | HSO-IL/GSP | ||
| AIM3 - Asteroid Investigation Mission to Characterise Binary Asteroid Didymos | GSP | ||
| PHOBOS SR - Assessment of Sample Return Mission to Phobos | SRE-PF/GSP | http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/doc.cfm?fobjectid=55322 | |
| EC2ETS - European Contribution to Two Exploration Transportation Systems | HSO | ||
| AVUM ADR - Assessment of Active Debris Removal Using AVUM Upper Stage | GSP | ||
| MAPPER - Assessment of Lunar Polar Sample Return Mission | HSO-IL/GSP | ||
| 2013 | SAOCOM CS Companion SAR in Formation with Argentian SAR | EOP/GSP | |
| FMRD - Flown Mission ReDesign - CDF Calibration Study | TEC/GSP | ||
| D4D - Design for Demise | CSI/GSP | ||
| METOP - Assessment Study for METOP SG Deorbit Options | EOP/GSP | ||
| CoBRA - Contactless Earth-Bound Modification using Chemical Propulsion - Winner of ESA SySNova Competition | GSP | ||
| SPADES - Solid Propellant Autonomous Deorbit System | CSI/GSP | ||
| 2012 | CHEOPS - Characterising Exoplanet Satellite | SRE/GSP | |
| e.Deorbit - Assessment of feasibility [sic] for controlled deorbit of Envisat | Clean Space/GSP | ||
| e.SAT - Electric Propulsion for Telecomm Satellites | TIA | ||
| AGILE 2 - Extended Advanced Galileo Injection Using Electric Propulsion | NAV-EF | ||
| MMSR A5 - Moons of Mars Sample Return Using Ariane 5 | SRE-PA/GSP | ||
| KuaFu - Space Weather, 2 small satellites | SRE-FP/GSP | ||
| OPS SAT - In-Orbit Demonstrator CubeSat | HSO-OPS/GSP | ||
| Envisat DA - Envisat Deorbit Analysis | DG/GSP | ||
| AIM - Asteroid Impact Mission | PPG-PF/GSP | ||
| ILS - Interplanetary Life Support MiCRA | DG-PF/GSP | ||
| ADI - Asteroid Deflection by Ions Siroco MiCRA | DG-PF/GSP | ||
| DDI - Ion Beam Shepherd MiCRA | DG-PF/GSP | ||
| Exploration Scenarios Final Roadmap Review | HSF-EA/GSP | ||
| 2011 | IXV EVO - Assessment of Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle Evolution | LAU-SNX | |
| MMSR - Moons of Mars Sample Return | SRE-PA/GSP | ||
| MNSM - Mars Network Science Mission | SRE-PA/GSP | ||
| Marco Polo R - Sample Return from NEA | SRE-PA/GSP | ||
| ICPA Phase 2 - ISR Capability Pack Assessment Study | ESA/EDA/GSP | ||
| LOFT - Large Observatory for X-Ray Timing | SRE-PA/GSP | ||
| VAC - Post ATV Derivative Concept | D/HSO/DG/GSP | ||
| AGILE - Alternative Trajectories for Galileo | NAV-EF | ||
| EU LISA - Europe only version of LISA mission | LISA Project/GSP | ||
| ECHO - ExoPlanet Observatory | SRE-PA/GSP | ||
| COMPSAR - Passive Companion for Sentinel 1 | EOP-SF/GSP | ||
| STE QUEST - Space Time Explorer and Quantum Equivalence Test | SRE-PA/GSP | ||
| Exploration Scenarios Comparative Review | HSF-EA/GSP | ||
| ICPA Phase 1 - ISR Capability Pack Assessment Study | ESA/EDA/GSP | ||
| NEMS - Crewed Mission to Near Earth Asteroid | GSP | ||
| Envisat DO - Deorbit Mission | EOP-PEL/GSP | ||
| PHOEBUS - High Speed Reentry Demonstrator | TEC-MPA/GSP | ||
| 2010 | COMPLEX - Technology, Exploration, Demonstration | DG-P/GSP | |
| MREP ASR - Mars Atmosphere Sample Return | DSRE/GSP | ||
| STE - Space Time Explorer | DSRE/GSP | ||
| RAiDS - Radiation Assessment in Deep Space | DG-P/GSP | ||
| PEP - Venus Planetary Entry Probes | DSRE/GSP | ||
| PEP - Saturn Planetary Entry Probes | DSRE/GSP | ||
| PEP - Uranus Planetary Entry Probes | DSRE/GSP | ||
| PEP - Neptune Planetary Entry Probes | DSRE/GSP | ||
| NGL SYS - Next Generation Launcher System | DLAU | ||
| R2D3 - Rendezvous and Refuelling Demonstrator | DG-P/GSP | ||
| LUMETTO - Lunar Mapping and Exploration Technology | DG-P/GSP | ||
| NGL IA - Next Generation Launcher Innovative Avionics | DLAU | ||
| PLATO DE - Design Evolution | DSRE/GSP | ||
| Exoplanets | DSRE/GSP | ||
| Alpha A - Building Block European Launcher | DLAU | ||
| GIANUS II | DG-P/GSP | ||
| ADS-B - Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast | DTIA | ||
| 2009 | Nanosat | DTEC/GSP | |
| IXO Telescope | DSRE/GSP | ||
| MarsGEN | DSRE/GSP | ||
| ECOSAT | ESA GSP | ||
| MarsREX | DSRE/GSP | ||
| MiniMEX | DTEC/GSP | ||
| MarsLEV | DSRE/GSP | ||
| De-Orbit | DTEC/GSP | ||
| Automated Identification System | ESA Telecomms | ||
| MoonSAV | ESA Human Space Flight/GSP | ||
| MoonNext DSR | ESA Human Space Flight/GSP | ||
| Meteron | ESA OPS | ||
| 2008 | Mars Electric Propulsion | DTEC/GSP | |
| Marco Polo - Near Earth Object | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| Euclid - Dark Energy Study | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| AirQualSat - Model | DTEC/GSP | ||
| SPICA/SAFARI Telescope | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| XEUS - Xray Telescope | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| LaPlace - Jupiter Moons Study | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| Tandem - Two Probe Mission to Titan | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| Space Exploration Architecture | ESA Human Spaceflight | ||
| Sentinel 5 Precursor | EOP/GSP | ||
| Slush - Densified Propellant | Launchers | ||
| Xray Telescope | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| Accurate | EOP/GSP | ||
| 2007 | Air Traffic Management Demonstration Payload | Telecom/GSP | |
| System-on-Chip | DTEC/GSP | ||
| Near Earth Object Monitoring | ESA Advanced Concepts Team/GSP | ||
| Jupiter Radiation Study | ESA Science | ||
| Cosmic Microwave Polarisation Mapper | ESA Science | ||
| Comsat for Air Traffic Management | TEN-A | ||
| Lunar Sample Return | ESA Human Spaceflight | ||
| Mars Technology Demonstrator | ESA Human Spaceflight | ||
| Near Earth Object Review | ESA Advanced Concepts Team/GSP | ||
| Nuclear Thermal Rocket Propulsion | LAU-PAD/GSP | ||
| Vegetation Gap Filler | DTEC/GSP | ||
| Transiting Exoplanet Survey- PLATO | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| Earth Plasma Study - Cross Scale | ESA Science/GSP | ||
| Space Exploration Architecture | ESA Human Spaceflight | ||
| 2006 | RAM Electric Propulsion | DTEC/GSP | |
| In Orbit Demonstrator | DTEC/GSP | ||
| European Student Moon Orbiter | ESA/GSP | ||
| Small Geostationary Telecommunication Satellite | ESA/TEC Telecommunications | ||
| Configuration REvisit Targeting Europa | ESA Science | ||
| Wireless Technology for Spacecraft | DTEC/GSP | ||
| Long Term Cryogenic Propulsion | DTEC/GSP | ||
| Far Infrared Interferometer | ESA Science | http://sci.esa.int/future-missions-office/40738-firi-cdf-study-report/# | |
| Wide Field Interferometer | ESA Science | http://sci.esa.int/future-missions-office/40533-cdf-study-report-for-wfi/# | |
| Cross-Track Scanner Microwave Radiometer | ESA Earth Observation | ||
| 2005 | Lunar Robotic Mission | ESA Exploration | |
| Jupiter Entry Probe | ESA Science | ||
| Formation Flying | DTEC/GSP | ||
| Space Alternative Energy Storage Systems | Advanced Concepts Team | ||
| VEGA 1 Payload | DLAU, DTEC & Education | ||
| Near Earth Objects | Advanced Concepts Team/GSP | ||
| Lunar Cargo Transport System | ESA Exploration | ||
| BeagleNet | ESA Exploration | ||
| Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle | ESA Launchers/GSP | ||
| 2004 | Near-Earth Objects Precursor Mission | ESA Advanced Concepts Team/GSP | |
| Lunar Exploration Study 1 | ESA Exploration | ||
| Atmospheric Space Interactions Monitor | ESA Human Spaceflight | ||
| Mars DemoLander 2 | ESA GSP | ||
| X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy 2 | ESA Science | ||
| X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy 1 | ESA Science | http://sci.esa.int/ixo/37601-xeus-cdf-report/# | |
| Sub mm Wave Instrument | ESA GSP/Technical Directorate | ||
| Europa Low Resource Radar | ESA Science | ||
| Mars DemoLander 1 | ESA GSP | ||
| VEGA evolution with electric propulsion | ESA Technical Directorate/Launchers/GSP | ||
| ExoMars Phase B preparation - Specifications | ESA Aurora | ||
| Solar Orbiter 2 - Composite option pre-assessment | ESA Science | ||
| Human Spaceflight Vision - European man-tended Moon base | ESA Human Spaceflight | ||
| Socrates - Reusable launcher demonstrator | ESA Launchers | ||
| Human Missions to Mars | ESA Aurora | ||
| 2003 | International Microgravity Plasma Facility | ESA Human Spaceflight | |
| AeroCapture Demonstrator Earth and Mars | ESA Aurora | ||
| Mars Sample Return | ESA Aurora | ||
| Mars Network Science - Probe network on Mars surface | ESA Science | ||
| Crew Transportation Vehicle - Soyuz design enhancement | ESA Human Spaceflight | ||
| Crew Transportation Vehicle - Model and validation | ESA GSP | ||
| P Band Sounder Instrument design for Antarctica - First CDF IDA | ESA Earth Observation | ||
| 2002 | ISS Droplet Combustion Insert - Support to industrial Phase A | ESA Human Spaceflight | |
| Rosita - Telescope accommodation outside Columbus module | ESA Human Spaceflight | ||
| EXOMARS 09 DM - Mars Exobiology Descent Module | ESA Aurora | ||
| EXOMARS 09 - A second Mars Exobiology mission design | ESA Aurora | ||
| BepiColombo All-SEPM Delta Study - Reaching Mercury with electric propulsion | ESA Science | ||
| Mars Exobiology - European mission to search for life on Mars | ESA Aurora | ||
| 2001 | ISS Dusty Plasma Facility - Support to industrial Phase A | ESA Human Spaceflight | |
| EUROPA - Preliminary assessment | ESA GSP | ||
| Space Weather - Three elements service monitoring the solar-terrestrial environment | ESA GSP/Technical Directorate | http://www.ltas-vis.ulg.ac.be/cmsms/uploads/File/SpaceWeatherReport.pdf | |
| Ocean Earth Watch - Operational mission for ocean and coastal zone monitoring | ESA Earth Observation | ||
| 2000 | Hyper Precision Atom Interferometry in Space | ESA Science | |
| STORMS - 3x Constellation for Magnetosphere Storms | ESA Science | ||
| MASTER - Mars and Asteroid Mission | ESA Science | ||
| Eddington - Stellar Physics and Planet Finder Telescope | ESA Science | ||
| World Space Observatory | ESA Science | ||
| Mercury Surface Element | ESA Science | ||
| Meteo Imager Sounder Satellite | ESA Earth Observation/Eumetsat | ||
| 1999 | Solar Orbiter - Study of the Sun and Inner Heliosphere | ESA Science | |
| Central European Satellite for Advanced Research | Agenzia Spaziale Italiana |