ESA TECHNOLOGY TREE

Version 4.1

STM-277 4th ed.

COMPILED BY

TECHNOLOGY COORDINATION &

PLANNING OFFICE
ESA/ESTEC TEC-H
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 2
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 3

STM-277 4th edition

November 2023

ESA Technology Tree

Version 4.1

Compiled by

TECHNOLOGY COORDINATION AND PLANNIG OFFICE

ESA/ESTEC TEC-H
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 4

An ESA Production
Publication ESA Technology Tree, version 4.1 (ESA STM-277 4th Edition November 2023)
Publisher ESA Communications
ESTEC, PO Box 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands
www.esa.int
Copyright © 2023 European Space Agency
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 5

Table of Contents

Technology Tree Change Log ..........................................................................................................................6

1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................7
1.1 Objective of this Document ............................................................................................................7
1.2 Structure of the Technology Tree ................................................................................................7
1.3 Document Overview.........................................................................................................................7
1.4 Historical Background .....................................................................................................................7
1.5 2020 Update and 2023 Amendment ...........................................................................................8
1.6 Technology Tree Objectives .........................................................................................................8
1.7 Definitions ...........................................................................................................................................8
1.8 Granularity Guidelines.....................................................................................................................9

2 Technology Tree Issue 4.1 – Abbreviated Version ........................................................................ 10

3 Technology Tree Issue 4.1 – Full Version ........................................................................................ 13

Appendix A – Differences between Technology Tree 3.0 and 4.1 .................................................... 60

Appendix B – Detailed Change Log ............................................................................................................ 64

Appendix C – Editorial Changes................................................................................................................... 85

Appendix D – Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. 86

6 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Technology Tree Change Log

Reason for change Issue Revision Date

Initial issue 1 0 March 2003

Renumbering of TD15 1 1 June 2003
Second issue: Full document update 2 0 November 2006
Further update of TDs 9-10-11-12 and reduction 2 1 April 2007
to two levels
Review of 2.1 vs 1.1 correspondence matrix 2 1.1 March 2008
No change to content; layout changed to bring the 2 1.2 September 2008
document into the ESA STM series
Third issue: Full document update 3 0 October 2013
Updated to 2nd edition of STM-277
Fourth issue: Full document update 4 0 April 2020
Updated to 3rd edition of STM-277
Appendices reorganised:
− List of TDR in appendix removed
− Detailed Change Log and list of items with
editorial changes added (Appendices B and C
respectively)
Amendment to fourth issue 4 1 November 2023
Updated to 4th edition of STM-277
Changes and corrections, including
− Updates to TD 18 and TD 25
− Update of the change log
− Correction: removal of subdomain 3-D from
the structure, consistent with change log
− Update of the change log
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 7

1 Introduction

1.1 Objective of this Document

The objective of this document is to present the ESA Technology Tree, which provides a
classification system for all technical knowhow that is available in ESA.
The Tree was initially defined in the frame of the ESTER (European Space Technology
Requirements Database) consolidation activities performed in April/May 2002. The present
revision 4.1, performed in 2023 by the Technology Coordination and Planning Office (TEC-H),
is an amendment to the version 4.0, which was also done by TEC-H in 2022 with the help of
TECNET and the approval of the TECNET Chairs Forum, and Competence Domains Leads
and members.
The Technology Tree presented in this document is a living tool and therefore will be subject to
evolution as necessary.

1.2 Structure of the Technology Tree

The Technology Tree has a three-level structure. The first level of decomposition introduces 26
Technology Domains (TDs). The TDs are then further subdivided into Technology Subdomains
(TSs) and Technology Groups (TGs), as appropriate.
For many ESA processes, only the first two levels of the Tree are used, namely the TDs and
the TSs. An abbreviated version of the table is therefore also provided.

1.3 Document Overview

The document is divided into three sections and four Appendices:
Section 1 (this section) describes the objectives of the document, an outline of the changes
between issues 3.0 and 4.1, a number of useful definitions and a brief historical background.
Section 2 contains an abbreviated version of the Tree (only TDs and TSs included).
Section 3 contains the full tabular format version, with descriptions (all levels included).
Appendix A provides a detailed description of the changes between issues 3.0 and 4.1 of the
Technology Tree, including a connectivity matrix between version 3.0 and 4.1.
Appendix B provides the detailed change log between version 3.0 and 4.1.
Appendix C reports the list of items where editorial changes have been made, addressing mostly
terminology and language review.
Appendix D provides the list of acronyms used throughout the document.

1.4 Historical Background

Before 2002, the technologies in ESA were structured as 56 separate groups (originally referred
to as Product Groups), which were used mostly as references for databases. When in 2002 the
list was revised and included 207 separate items, the need for a more organised and functional
representation of technologies became clear. In order to improve the situation and provide a
more structured classification, the concept of the ESA Technology Tree was established.
Issue 1.1 of the ESA Technology Tree was released in 2003 as the result of a collaboration
amongst relevant ESA Directorates, and following that there were several updates. The
document was first published as part of the STM series in 2008; a second edition was issued in
2013.
8 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Since the first issue in 2003, the ESA Technology Tree has been used by ESA (e.g. for
Harmonisation, ESA Technology Strategy, technology programme workplans, various
databases) and by European industry.

1.5 2020 Update and 2023 Amendment

Since the last issue of the Technology Tree, things have changed both technologically and
organisationally, plus a number of comments were made by users on both the content and the
navigability of the Tree.
In response to the above comments, the 2020 Technology Tree update has been carried out
according to the following guidelines:
• Consult and iterate with all ESA CDLs for suggestions on changes and improvements
to the Technology Tree
• Analyse all received input and identify areas where there might be overlaps or where
there is potential for misunderstanding
• Analyse areas where no changes have been made, in order to catch issues that might
have been missed in previous reviews
• Provide a description of every item on the Tree with the help of relevant ESA experts
• Update the language used, to make it consistent throughout the document and to align
with common definitions established elsewhere
• Request position of Industry and Delegations
• Consult, iterate and discuss the outcome with TCF for comments and approval
Issue 4.1 of the Technology Tree (TT) now contains:
• 26 TDs (26 in issue 3.0, 26 in issue 2.1)
• 107 TSs (107 in issue 4.0.101 in issue 3.0, 92 in issue 2.1)
• 346 TGs (343 in issue 4.0, 320 in issue 3.0, 274 in issue 2.1)
In 2023 the Technology Tree has been amended with some text improvements, corrections and
additional Subdomains and Groups not previously covered. More details about the changes,
and a connectivity matrix between versions 3.0 and 4.1, are provided in Appendix A.

1.6 Technology Tree Objectives

The objective of the Technology Tree is to provide a classification of all technological expertise
currently available in ESA for space activities.

1.7 Definitions
In the context of this document, the following definitions are applicable:
Technology A technology is defined as the technical knowhow that is required for the design,
manufacture and test of a space product, including all related processes.
Product Space products are all items needed for space activities that can be procured in
the market, including services.
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1.8 Granularity Guidelines

Consistent with the definition of technology given above, the granularity of the description of
TD, TS and TG goes from more general (TD) to more specific (TG), as follows:
• TD: A technology domain includes knowhow relevant to a technical area that can be
identified as being standalone and can therefore be considered independently of other
TDs.
• TS: A decomposition of a TD to provide a more accurate description of its content in
terms of different but related technical areas.
• TG: A further decomposition of each TS to identify a technology that is relevant to a
family of products but that is not the description of a product in itself.
An example of a technology category is 3-B-II. The structure and levels are illustrated in Fig. 1.

Technology TG I
Subdomain A

TG XX
Technology
Domain
(1-26)
Technology TG I
Subdomain Z

TG XX

Figure 1: Structure of the Technology Tree

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2 Technology Tree Issue 4.1 – Abbreviated Version

TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN
1 On-board Data Subsystems A Payload Data Processing
B On-board Data Management
C Microelectronics for Digital and Analogue Applications
D Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for On-board
Data Subsystems
2 Space System Software A Software Technologies
B Space Segment Software
C Ground Segment Software
D Ground Data Processing
E Remote Sensing Payload Data Exploitation
3 Space Systems Electrical A Power Electronics
Power B Power Generation Technologies
C Energy Storage Technologies
4 Space Systems A Space Environments
Environments and Effects B Environments Effects
C Space Weather
5 Space System Control A Control (Sub-) Systems Engineering
B Control (Sub-) Systems Innovative Technologies
C Control Techniques and Tools
D AOCS/GNC Sensors and Actuators
6 RF Subsystems, Payloads A Telecommunication Subsystems
and Technologies B Radio Navigation Subsystems
C TT&C and Payload Data Transmitter (PDT) Subsystems
D RF Payloads
E RF Technologies and Equipment
7 Electromagnetic A Antennas
Technologies and B Wave Interaction and Propagation
Techniques
C Electromagnetic and Radio Frequency Compatibility
(EMC/RFC) and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

8 System Design & A Mission and System Specification

Verification B Collaborative and Concurrent Engineering
C System Analysis and Design
D System Verification and Assembly, Integration and Test
(AIT)
9 Mission Operation and A Advanced System and Mission Operation Concepts
Ground Data Systems B Mission Operations
C Ground Data Systems
10 Flight Dynamics and GNSS A Flight Dynamics (FD)
B GNSS High-Precision Data Processing
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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN

11 Space Debris A Ground- and Space-based Debris and Meteoroid
Measurements
B Modelling and Risk Analysis
C Debris Mitigation
D Debris Remediation and Protection
12 Ground Station Systems A Ground Station System
and Networks B Ground Communications Networks
13 Automation, Telepresence A Robotic Applications and Concepts
& Robotics B Automation & Robotics Systems and Subsystems
C Automation & Robotics Components and Technologies
14 Life & Physical Sciences A Instrumentation in Support of Life Sciences
B Instrumentation in Support of Physical Sciences
C Applied Life Science Technology
15 Mechanisms A Mechanism Core Technologies
B Non-Explosive Release Technologies
C Exploration Tool Technologies
D Control Electronics Technologies
E MEMS Technologies
F Tribology Technologies
G Mechanism Engineering
H Pyrotechnic Technologies
I Flexible Capture Mechanisms
16 Optics A Optical Subsystem Engineering
B Optical Components Technology and Materials
C Optical Equipment and Instrument Technology
17 Optoelectronics A Laser Technologies
B Detector Technologies
C Photonics
D Optical Communication Technologies
E Quantum Technologies
18 Fluid Mechanics A Fluid Mechanics Tools and Techniques
B Ground-Based Facilities
C Sensors and Measurement Techniques for Fluid
Mechanics
D Flight Demonstrators and Flight Data Tools
E Fluid Mechanics Hardware
19 Propulsion A Chemical Propulsion Technologies
B Electric Propulsion Technologies
C Other Propulsion Subsystems
D Supporting Propulsion Technologies and Tools
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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN

20 Structures A Structural Design and Verification Methods and Tools
B High Stability and High-Precision Spacecraft Structures
C Inflatable and Deployable Structures
D Hot Structures
E Active/Adaptive Structures
F Damage Tolerance and Health Monitoring
G Launchers, Reentry Vehicles, Planetary Vehicles
H Crew Habitation, Safe Haven and EVA suits
I Meteoroid and Debris Shield Design and Analysis
J Advanced Structural Concepts and Materials
21 Thermal A Heat Transport Technology
B Cryogenics and Refrigeration
C Thermal Protection
D Heat Storage and Rejection
E Thermal Analysis Tools
22 Environmental Control & A Environmental Control & Life Support (ECLS)
Life Support (ECLS) and In B In Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU)
Situ Resource Utilisation
(ISRU)
23 Electrical, Electronic and A Methods and Processes for Product Assurance of EEE
Electro-mechanical (EEE) Components
Components and Quality B EEE Component Technologies
24 Materials and A Novel Materials and Materials Technology
Manufacturing Processes B Materials Processes
C Cleanliness and Sterilisation
D Ground and Space Environmental Effects on Materials
and Processes
E Modelling of Materials Behaviour and Properties
F Non-Destructive Inspection
G Material and Process Obsolescence
H Materials for Electronic Assembly
I Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
J Reliability and Reusability Aspects of Materials
25 Quality, Dependability and A System Dependability and Safety
Safety B Software Quality
C Product and Quality Assurance
D Commercial Off-The-Shelf Components and
Subsystems
26 Others
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3 Technology Tree Issue 4.1 – Full Version
TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
1 On-board Data Subsystems A Payload Data Processing I System Technologies for Payload Data Processing
Spacecraft data management; Specific digital signal and data processing System aspects such as payload processing and storage
payload data processing; hardware technologies and techniques; specific (high- architectures, algorithms, communication, etc., for Earth
and software required for data speed, high-capacity-oriented) hardware (e.g. observation, science and manned-space applications. Technologies
acquisition, data processing, DSP, storage), software (signal/image for big data processing and compressing sensing at system level.
storage for both payload and processing, data compression/fusion, data II Hardware Technologies for Payload Data Processing
spacecraft data, on-board security…) and networking technologies Hardware technologies related to high-speed/high-performance
networking and the space-link (including protocols and standards). equipment (e.g. DSP, mass memories, switches and
network layer and above. communication links, digital video, data compression, data security).
III Software Technologies for Payload Data Processing
Software technologies related to high-speed/high-performance
payload data processing subsystems. Software technologies big
data processing and compressing sensing.
B On-board Data Management I On-board Data Management Subsystem
Avionics and command and control subsystem Highly integrated subsystems, architecture, fault tolerance, on-
specific aspects; such as data handling, board operation management and autonomy.
subsystem management and autonomy, II On-board Computers
security; as well as specific hardware (e.g. On-board fault-tolerant dependable computers, their main
computers, storage, micro-controllers), components (microprocessors, I/O) and basic software.
software (e.g. basic support packages) and
networking technologies and techniques, etc. III On-board Data Storage
Development of data storage equipment (mass memories) and
modules for spacecraft platforms.
IV On-board Networks and Control/Monitoring
Development of the on-board data communication subsystems,
including on-board command and control data networks, and their
security, for performing monitoring and control across the platform,
and wireless systems.

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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
1 On-board Data Subsystems C Microelectronics for Digital and Analogue I Methodologies for Microelectronics
(cont.) Applications Rad-hardening by design allowing usage of commercial
Design methodologies and technology for technologies. System-on-chip design methodologies; Hardware-
space application specific integrated circuits Software co-design; space use of reprogrammable FPGAs. Low
(ASICs) and field programmable gate arrays power high-performance processing algorithms and processors;
(FPGAs). Digital and analogue designs, analogue IC design. ASIC and FPGA design (design kit and
including IP cores. libraries) and test tools.
(Note 1-C-1: design aspects of COTS (Note 1-C-I-1: Issues related to basic mechanisms of radiation
subsystems are covered in TD 25-D) effects are covered in TD 23)
(Note 1-C-I-2: The software side of software–hardware
co-engineering is covered in 2-B-II)
II Digital and Analogue Devices and Technologies
Reusable IP cores, (ASIC) processors, detector readouts and
sensor electronics front-ends, standard ASICs and ASSPs
(Application Specific Standard Products), FPGAs.
D Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence I Machine Learning for On-board Data Subsystems
for On-board Data Subsystems Development of Machine Learning techniques for payload and
Developments, characterisation and evaluation platform Data Systems applications including hardware and
techniques for On-board Data Subsystems. associated algorithms, anomaly detection, image compression, etc.
II Characterisation and Evaluation of Machine Learning
Techniques
Development of characterisation and evaluation techniques to
identify suitability of Machine Learning for space applications.
(Note 1-D-II-1:SW implementation is covered under 2-A-I)
2 Space System Software A Software Technologies I Software Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence
All basic techniques and Advanced software development Autonomy aspects of software and implementation of artificial
technologies in the fields of (requirements, design, verification, validation, intelligence. It covers also system-level avionics aspects of on-
software and Information maintenance and qualification) methods/tools. board autonomy.
Technology with respect to their Advanced functions to be implemented in (Note 2-A-I-1: specific machine learning techniques are covered
application to space missions, both software. Both ground and space application under 1-D-II)
for space and ground segment. included. Development of related standards.

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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
2 Space System Software (cont.) A Software Technologies (cont.) II Software Functions
Functions that are implemented in software such as: application
functions (data handling, thermal management, power
management, AOCS, security etc.); supporting functions (operating
systems, separations kernels, middleware, etc.).
Includes, other advanced software functions such as parallel
computing.
(Note 2-A-II-1: This includes also predevelopment for applications
indicated in TD1-A-III)
(Note 2-A-II-2: Coverage of Autonomy is under to 2-A-I)
B Space Segment Software I Methods and Tools for On-board Software Engineering
On-board software requirements, design, Processes
verification, validation, maintenance and All aspects of on-board software engineering, requirement
qualification methods/tools. Specific aspects engineering, automation of the life cycle, testing, model-based
related to the application of modern IT development, etc. In particular, it includes software emulators of on-
technologies. Includes flight software and board processors.
related simulator technologies. II Software Management Process
Adaptive engineering, new planning approaches, cost estimation
methods, distributed development. The focus is on the system
aspects of software, the system–software co-engineering. Includes
also software–hardware co-engineering.
(Note 2-B-II-1: The system side of system–software co-engineering,
and the hardware side of software–hardware co-engineering, are
covered in 8-A-I and 1-C-I respectively.)
III Software Architectures
Software architectures for space segment software.
C Ground Segment Software
Mission control system software design,
verification, validation and maintenance
methods/tools. Application of modern IT
technologies to spacecraft operations,
including Object-Oriented Technologies.
D Ground Data Processing I Ground Data Archiving Subsystems
Archiving subsystems and analytical Long-term data storage, preservation and accessibility of big data,
processing of space data. volume technology, etc.

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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
2 Space System Software (cont.) D Ground Data Processing (cont.) II Ground Data Analytical Processing
(Intelligent) data mining, feature extraction, deep learning aspects,
data retrieval, data analytics, visualisation tools, etc.
III Technologies for Data Security, Openness and Privacy
Technologies and methods to ensure the Availability, Integrity and
Confidentiality of data, including aspects related to the protection of
information and data from breaches, hacks or unauthorised access.
Technologies guaranteeing the desired level of information
openness. Multi-level security architectures.
E Remote Sensing Payload Data Exploitation I Remote Sensing Data and Information Processing and
Technologies associated with development and Exploitation
operation of ground segment infrastructure and Aspects related to data and information acquisition, integrity,
facilities (including user interfaces, mission archiving, processing, dissemination, and quality control, and to
analysis/planning, payload data acquisition, mission planning. Exploitation of federated and collaborative
archiving, processing, dissemination, quality payload data ground segment services and data dissemination.
control), provision of related data and II Remote Sensing Applications and Services
information to user communities, support to Aspects related to applications (e.g. algorithms, models, related
data utilisation, applications and services, environments, etc.), higher-level processing, information mining,
creation of higher-level information products information-based services, service support, outreach.
and the creation and provision of information-
III Remote Sensing Information Subsystems and User Interfaces
based services.
Aspects related to subsystems for accessing data and information
and user interface tools and methods.
IV Remote Sensing Core Infrastructure and Architectures
Aspects at ground segment level, like architectures, common
infrastructure, support to management and operations, automation,
etc.
3 Space Systems Electrical Power A Power Electronics I Power Conditioning
Techniques and technologies Power subsystem architecture, topologies, PCDUs, SAR, BDRs, BCRs, DC/DC converters, control circuits,
related to power subsystem sizing, modelling and simulation tools and control techniques, digital control techniques.
architecture, to power generation, techniques. II Specific Power Supplies
distribution and conditioning and to Power conversion, regulation, control and PPUs, high-voltage EPCs, wheel electronics, etc.
energy storage. distribution.
III Power Distribution

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Solid-state switches, PDUs.
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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
3 Space Systems Electrical Power A Power Electronics (cont.) IV Power Subsystem Architecture
(cont.) Power subsystem topologies, power subsystem sizing, modelling
and simulation tools and techniques.
B Power Generation Technologies I Photovoltaic Generator Technology
Methods for generating power from different Solar cells (crystalline and thin films), photovoltaic assembly and
sources (e.g. solar, chemical, and nuclear solar array technologies.
sources) as well as energy harvesting. II Fuel Cell Technologies
Electrochemical power generation subsystems using a fuel and an
oxidant.
III Nuclear Fission Reactor Technologies
Power generation subsystems using fission reactors adapted for
space use.
IV Radioisotope Power Technologies
Power generation subsystems using the natural decay heat of
radioisotopes, either for thermal control (Radioisotopes Thermal
Units) or converted into electricity (radioisotopes thermo-electric
generators).
V Energy Harvesting Technologies
Low power subsystems powered by modules making use of
vibrations, thermal energy, RF energy or other energy resources
available on the vehicle.
C Energy Storage Technologies I Electro-Chemical Technologies for Energy Storage
Technologies and methods of energy storage Technologies converting chemical energy to electricity for storage
after generation from solar, chemical, or purposes (e.g. batteries, fuel cells).
nuclear sources. II Mechanical Technologies for Energy Storage
(Note 3-C-II-1: Detailed mechanisms aspects are covered in TD15)
Technologies storing energy by using kinetic or gravitational forces
(e.g. flywheels).
D Power Conditioning and Distribution
Including regulation, control and distribution.

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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
4 Space Systems Environments A Space Environments I Numerical Modelling of Environments
and Effects Methods and models, and inflight monitoring of Establishment of numerical models that represent space
Space environmental effects are space environments (including radiation, environments and their variables, as required by mission
limiting on all space missions and plasmas, micrometeoroids and micro-debris, development and operation. Associated data analysis, and
need to be assessed during all atmosphere, contamination and potential subsystems delivering model output for efficient use in development
mission phases. Assessment threats). and operations.
requires the creation of environment II In-flight Environments Monitoring
models and the knowledge of Technologies to gather data on space environments. Includes
effects, which is obtained by inflight radiation detection (fluxes and derived quantities for all radiation
measurement and testing. components), plasmas, direct microparticle detection, situational
awareness sensors.
B Environments Effects I Environments Effects Analysis Tools
Effects due to space environments (radiation Development of tools for each environmental domain and resources
damage and interference, spacecraft charging, for coordinated assessment. Tools for use in development and
microparticle impact risk, …) development of operations for quantifying environmental effects in terms of
computational tools and related experimental engineering parameters, and for use in product assurance and
investigations. testing.
II Ground and Space Effects Investigations
Data for the development and validation of the analysis tools,
including establishment and/or exploitation of on-ground and in-
space investigations of the environments and the effects on
technologies. Radiation effects, charging and ESD monitoring,
direct and indirect impact detection, analysis of returned material,
etc.
C Space Weather I Space Weather Modelling Development and IT Infrastructure
Technology developments contributing to the Development of numerical models in the various space weather
establishment of capabilities for predicting or domains (solar, heliospheric, magnetospheric, ionospheric). IT
evaluating hazardous environmental conditions infrastructure: development of an integrated but distributed
in space, in the ionosphere or on-ground due to subsystem that includes real-time and archived data, coupled
space weather, through use of observation modelling and user-oriented informatics tools.
technologies coupled with modelling and IT
technologies. The observations and modelling
relate to phenomena on the Sun, in

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interplanetary space and coupling with the
near-Earth environment.
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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
4 Space Systems Environments C Space Weather (cont.) II Space Weather Monitoring Technology
and Effects (cont.) In situ and remote measurement of space weather features for use
in forecasting and nowcasting, including solar, heliospheric,
magnetospheric and ionospheric domains.
5 Space System Control A Control (Sub-) Systems Engineering I AOCS/GNC Architecture
Design and implementation of System aspects and AOCS/GNC functional Concept and mode definition. Selection and accommodation of
control subsystems for space chain engineering. sensors and actuators.
applications. Includes AOCS for II Autonomy and FDIR
satellites; GNC for space vehicles Control-related aspects and implementation (with TD2 and TD9-B),
and launchers; pointing acquisition including AI applications to space systems autonomy and enhanced
and tracking systems for antennas, FDIR.
laser terminals, and line-of-sight
III Pointing Error Engineering
stabilisation equipment.
Budget methodology and tools.
IV Control Requirements Engineering
Software algorithm specification (with TD2) and sensor and actuator
specification.
V Control Design and Verification
Detailed analysis and performance verification on functional
engineering simulators and avionic test benches.
B Control (Sub-) Systems Innovative I GNC Technologies for Entry, Descent and Landing
Technologies GNC technology developments for aerobraking, precision landing,
Enabling technology developments dedicated hazard avoidance, real-time guidance and navigation, specialised
to specific missions and generic applications. simulation tools and test beds.
II GNC Technologies for Cruise, Rendezvous and Docking or
Capture
GNC technology developments for exploration as well as active
debris removal.
III High Accuracy Pointing Technologies
Technology developments in AOCS, pointing acquisition and
tracking subsystems.
IV Competitive AOCS Technologies
For commercial and generic applications, tackling cost reduction at
all levels (design and verification effort, building-block approach,
hybridisation of sensors, …).

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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
5 Space System Control (cont.) B Control (Sub-) Systems Innovative V GNC Technologies for Launch Vehicles
Technologies (cont.) Guidance, Navigation and Control Technologies for specific Launch
vehicles applications, including reusability.
(Note 5-B-V-1: generic technologies for precise landing applications
are covered in 5-B-I)
C Control Techniques and Tools I Control Modelling Techniques
Generic and advanced techniques dedicated to Mathematical modelling and software model development for:
design analysis and verification. satellite dynamics and environment, sensors and actuators, and
software components.
II Advanced Control, Estimation & Optimisation
Development of efficient techniques and tools for design analysis
and verification. Includes also adaptive and collaborative controls.
III Multidisciplinary GNC Optimisation
Development of mathematical solvers and tools for concurrent
optimisation of GNC-related aspects of the space vehicle and
trajectory.
D AOCS/GNC Sensors and Actuators I AOCS/GNC Optical Sensors
Specification and development of generic and Star trackers, Sun and Earth sensors, optical navigation sensors.
custom products based on mission and market Includes detectors (with TD17-B), optics (with TD16),
needs. microelectronics (with TD1-C), electronics, image processing,
software algorithms.
II AOCS/GNC Inertial and Magnetic Sensors
Gyros, accelerometers, IMUs, magnetometers. Includes MEMS,
HRG, FOG technologies, control loops and hybridisation,
microelectronics (with TD1-C), electronics.
III AOCS/GNC Inertial and Magnetic Actuators
Reaction wheels, CMGs, magnetic torquers. Control loops,
mechanisms & tribology (with TD15-F/G), power electronics (with
TD3-D), microelectronics (with TD1-C).

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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
6 RF Subsystems, Payloads and A Telecommunication Subsystems I Telecommunication Subsystem and Engineering Tools
Technologies Telecommunication techniques and algorithms All aspects related to satellite telecommunication subsystem
All technologies and techniques (coding, modulation, access, synchronisation, analysis, design tools and methodologies.
operating in the RF domain related networking, security etc.), subsystem tools and II Telecommunication Signal Processing
to satellite systems and networks, telecommunication equipment. All signal processing techniques and algorithms related to
spacecraft payloads, instruments coding/decoding, modulation/demodulation, access,
and specific ground equipment (see synchronisation, medium access control.
note below), for telecommunication,
III Telecommunication Networking Techniques
TT&C, navigation, Earth
Telecommunication satellite networking aspects related to radio
observation and space science,
resource management, network management and control aspects,
including security aspects.
traffic modelling, etc.
(Note 6-1: Technologies for control
centres, TT&C and Earth IV Telecommunication Equipment
Observation Payload Data All baseband telecommunication equipment (e.g. modulators,
Transmission Ground Stations and demodulators, front-ends). Used for fixed, mobile and broadcast
Ground Station Networks are satellite or hybrid satellite/terrestrial telecommunication subsystems,
covered in TD12) also including user terminals.
V Telecommunication Security Techniques and Technologies
The techniques and technologies to secure end-to-end
telecommunication subsystems. Quantum Key Distribution (with
TD17-E-II).
B Radio Navigation Subsystems I Navigation Subsystems and Concepts and Engineering Tools
Radio navigation techniques and technologies, All aspects related to ground and space navigation subsystems,
subsystems capable of generating, receiving, Signal in Space, simulators, analysis tools and methodologies.
exploiting and analysing the signals from Techniques and technologies to secure end-to-end Navigation
current and upcoming radio navigation services. Antispoofing and Antijamming techniques.
subsystems (GPS, Glonass, EGNOS, Galileo), II Navigation Ground and User Equipment
including subsystem tools and navigation All technologies related to RF and baseband aspects, positioning
equipment. and integrity algorithms, integration with other sensors, local
(Note 6-B-1 : RF Technologies are covered in augmentation, and integration with telecommunication subsystems
6-E.) and services.
III On-board Radio Navigation Receivers
All aspects related to navigation space (reference) receivers, and
related algorithms and technologies, including security aspects
(antijamming and antispoofing).

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6 RF Subsystems, Payloads and B Radio Navigation Subsystems (cont.) IV RF Metrology
Technologies (cont.) All aspects related to high accuracy RF metrology including
algorithms and tools.
C TT&C and Payload Data Transmitter (PDT) I TT&C Subsystem and Tools
Subsystems All aspects related to TT&C subsystems (coding, modulation,
Spacecraft TT&C/PDM techniques and multiplexing, link analysis, interference, security) and subsystem
technologies, space link communications (RF, analysis tools and methodologies.
hybrid RF/optical subsystems, signal II Deep-Space Transponders
coding/modulation, ranging techniques, radio All aspects related to the design and development of deep-space
science experiments) and proximity links, as TT&C transponders.
well as launchers telemetry.
III Near-Earth Transponders
(Note 6-C-1: RF Technologies are covered in
All aspects related to the design and development of near-Earth
6-E.)
TT&C transponders.
IV Proximity Link
All aspects related to the design and development of units for
proximity link applications.
V High-speed Downlink PDT
All aspects related to (coded) modems for high-speed payload
downlink (e.g. for Remote Sensing, DRS applications).
D RF Payloads I Payload Architecture and Engineering Tools
Telecommunication payloads (transparent and Advanced simulation tools and analysis paradigms for complex
regenerative), remote sensing instruments, and payloads for Telecommunication/Remote Sensing/Navigation.
navigation payloads exploiting analogue, digital II Telecommunication Payloads
and optical technologies. Telecommunication payloads and architectures encompassing RF,
digital and optical technologies.
III Remote Sensing Instruments
Remote Sensing instruments both passive (e.g. radiometers,
GNSS-R) and active (e.g. SAR, altimeters, RF sounding).
IV Navigation Payloads
Navigation payload systems and subsystems.

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6 RF Subsystems, Payloads and E RF Technologies and Equipment I RF Modelling and Design Tools
Technologies (cont.) RF equipment, subsystems and building Design and analysis tools for RF equipments, components and
blocks, active and passive components, and technologies including RF design and analysis and high power
related design and characterisation tools in the phenomena prediction (e.g. Multipaction, Corona, power handling
whole RF domain. and passive intermodulation).
(Note 6-E-1: All quasi-optic and free-space II RF Equipment
aspects are covered by TD7 and TD12) RF equipment and subsystems (e.g. SSPAs, TWTAs, LNAs,
(Note 6-E-2: All quality aspects are covered by frequency converters, multipliers and distribution networks, local
TD23 and TD25) oscillators and synthesisers, multiplexers, front ends).
(Note 6-E-3: All ground station RF technologies
III RF Active and Passive Devices
for TT&C and payload data are covered by
Design, specification, development and characterisation of active
TD12)
devices (e.g. diodes, transistors, mixers, multipliers, integrated
circuits) and passive devices (e.g. filters, resonators, MEMS
devices, RF switches, couplers, combiners/splitters, circulators,
isolators, cables and connectors), including packaging and
interconnection.
IV Vacuum Electronics for RF Amplification
Technologies and techniques related to high-power RF amplification
using vacuum electronic technologies (e.g. TWT, vacuum triodes
and transistors).
V Frequency & Time Generation and Distribution for Space
Applications
Techniques and technologies for the generation of reference signals
(oscillators and clocks of all types, e.g. quartz, VCOs/NCOs, Rb,
Cs, H-maser) and their means for comparison and dissemination as
required for telecommunication, navigation and science
applications.
(Note 6-E-V-1: Optical atomic clocks are covered in 17-C-IV)
(Note 6-E-V-2: Reference signals required for ground applications
are covered in 12-A-V)
VI RF Measurement, Characterisation and Calibration Techniques
RF equipment and components, including for high-power, passive
intermodulation, corona and multipactor testing.

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7 Electromagnetic Technologies A Antennas I Antennas Design Tools
and Techniques Antenna subsystems and architectures, design Modelling, synthesis and optimisation techniques and tool
Antennas and related technologies, tools, technologies and measurement development for new types of antennas and their feed networks,
wave interaction and propagation, techniques for various applications for space arrays, reflector and small antennas, both isolated and in the
and electromagnetic compatibility. systems and ground users, up to THz spacecraft environment.
frequencies, such as communications, II Reflector and Lens Antennas
navigation or sensing, spacecraft pointing, Single and multiple beam reflector antenna architectures, reflector
TT&C, etc. design, multiple reflectors, reconfigurable reflector antennas,
(Note 7-A-1: Ground TT&C antennas are shaped, unfurlable and foldable reflectors, frequency- and
covered in 12-A-II) polarisation-selective surfaces, active and passive lenses, feed
elements and feed arrays with their feed networks, reflect-arrays
and metamaterial antennas. Manufacturing techniques and
technologies of reflector and lens antennas.
III Array Antennas and Standalone Radiators
Planar and conformal arrays, multi-frequency arrays, dual-
polarisation arrays, active, semi-active and passive arrays. Small
arrays and standalone radiators for medium and low gain
applications for spacecraft and for user terminals. Fully electronic or
hybrid array feed networks. Electronic scanning arrays. Fixed and
steerable beam arrays for fixed and mobile user terminals. Satellite
TT&C standalone and multi-element antennas. Manufacturing
techniques and technologies of array antennas and standalone
radiators.
IV Millimetre-Wave and Sub-Millimetre-Wave Antenna Front-Ends
Antennas, instruments, new architectures and technologies for THz
passive and active remote sensing instruments such as
radiometers, imagers, limb sounders. Also reflectors and quasi-optic
assemblies, calibration (both active and passive), focal plane arrays
and front-ends (including direct detectors, mixers, multipliers, LO
chain) and back-ends.

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7 Electromagnetic Technologies A Antennas (cont.) V Measurement, Characterisation and Calibration Techniques for
and Techniques (cont.) Radiative Payloads and Antennas
New antenna and payload measurement techniques (e.g. for multi-
beam payloads or security aspects), validation of modelling
software, techniques for measurement of antennas in the spacecraft
environment and at operational conditions, feed networks (active
and passive), interactions between antennas, millimetre-wave and
THz antennas and feed networks. RF characterisation of reflective
and transparent materials.
B Wave Interaction and Propagation I Wave Interaction
Technologies and techniques related to Modelling of wave interactions for passive and active microwave
propagation models and modelling techniques, and optical remote sensing of atmosphere, surface and subsurface
interference modelling and experimentation, features of Earth and planets. Related retrieval and correction
wave interaction modelling, and associated algorithms, performance models and data processing.
retrieval algorithms and models. Applications II Wave Propagation
are telecommunication, navigation, remote Propagation, interception and interference models and their
sensing (both for Earth and planets), TT&C and validation at microwave and optical frequencies through Earth and
payload data transfer. planetary atmosphere, stratosphere, ionosphere. Microwave
propagation in urban and indoor environments. Link budgets in
complex propagation environments.
C Electromagnetic and Radio Frequency I EMC Modelling and Simulation
Compatibility (EMC/RFC) and Electrostatic Development of specific EMC models and simulation tools for
Discharge (ESD) application to spacecraft.
Design, models, simulation, testing techniques II EMC Test Techniques
and technologies in the fields of Validation of new EMC designs and novel EMC and magnetostatic
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radio test methods for application to spacecraft.
frequency compatibility (RFC), electrostatic
discharge (ESD), and magnetic cleanliness.

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8 System Design & Verification A Mission and System Specification I Specification Methods and Tools
Technology, methods and tools to Early phases of a project development life Methods and tools to support the capture, modelling and validation
support system engineering cycle, focusing on requirement engineering, of requirements, including definition and formalisation of system
processes (specification, design, specification and architecture formulation. architectures.
and verification) of space systems II Requirement Engineering
during the complete mission Methods and tools to support the system requirement engineering
lifecycle (phases 0 to F). Focuses process, including requirement management and related database
on reducing the schedule and/or issues.
cost of development of the space
III System-Level Aspects of Avionics Embedded Subsystems
system (i.e. space and ground
All system aspects related to Avionics, including architecture,
segment) whilst controlling quality,
interfaces and development of processes and related methods and
security and risk (mission success)
tools for the avionics embedded subsystems.
to the required level. New
paradigms (e.g. model-based B Collaborative and Concurrent Engineering I Concurrent Design
systems engineering), approaches Aspects related to the process of concurrent Methods and tools to provide an integrated environment for the
and techniques for the development engineering as well as the data underlying concurrent design of a mission/system.
of space systems, which are mostly multidisciplinary collaboration. II Multidisciplinary Data Exchange for Collaborative Engineering
common to several service Methods and standards to support the exchange of multidisciplinary
domains. data, focusing on the data aspects of collaborative engineering.
III Collaborative Engineering
Methods and tools to support collaboration of remotely-located
engineering teams and access to remote models/data. Includes
aspects of interoperability and deployment of corresponding tools.
C System Analysis and Design I System Design and Simulation
System-to-subsystem interaction and Methods and tools to support the modelling and simulation-based
interfaces, relationships between segment- design and verification at system-level.
level analyses and system-level analyses. II Multidisciplinary Analysis
Methods and tools to support coordinated analyses for different
technical disciplines.
D System Verification and Assembly, I Advanced AIT Methods
Integration and Test (AIT) Advanced methods, tools and standards to support the assembly,
Methods, tools and infrastructure necessary to integration and testing plus verification of space systems across the
integrate and verify space systems. life cycle.

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8 System Design & Verification D System Verification and Assembly, II Ground Support Equipment
(cont.) Integration and Test (AIT) (cont.) Advanced tools and standards for supporting ground activities in all
domains across the life cycle.
(Note 8-D-II-1: GSE for propulsion systems is included in 19-D-IV)
9 Mission Operation and Ground A Advanced System and Mission Operation
Data Systems Concepts
Aspects related to the control and Studies, technology investigations and
operations of space system prototyping related to the implementation and
elements (satellites, transfer validation of advanced system and mission
vehicles, orbiters, landers, probes, operation concepts.
rovers, etc.) and related ground B Mission Operations I Distributed and Decentralised Operations
segment, addressing the Aspects related to operation processes and Operations of single missions and families of missions, formation
technologies associated with mission control concepts, including automation, flying and constellations.
supporting subsystems and tools. autonomy at various levels and II Automation, Autonomy and Mission Planning Concepts
distribution/decentralisation, operations support Concepts for automation, autonomy and mission planning of ground
processes (such as operation training) and data systems and spacecraft operations.
associated tools, dependability and security of
III Operation Support Processes
operation systems and processes.
Aspects such as operation preparation, knowledge transfer from
manufacturer to operations, training, dependability of operation
(sub-)systems and processes.
C Ground Data Systems I Mission Control System, Automation, Mission Planning,
Technologies and techniques related to Simulators and Station M&C and Data Centre Architecture and
mission control systems (MCS’s), SIM and DC Technologies
architectures, techniques and tools for Architectural concepts, definition of a general framework, a set of
operations planning and scheduling, building blocks/libraries for any type of mission and state of the art
commonalities of AIV and operations, decision technologies for Ground Segment CSOS (Complex System of
support and process control, operations data Systems).
archiving and access, human–computer II Preparation and Procedure Tools for Ground Data Systems
interfaces (HCIs). Taking into account commonalities with EGSE requirements.
III Human–Computer Interfaces and Technologies
Frameworks, toolkits and other aiding tools that ease the definition
of HCI, sharing a common look and feel and usability.

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10 Flight Dynamics and GNSS A Flight Dynamics (FD) I Mission Analysis and Trajectory Design
Activities related to the analysis and Trajectory and attitude aspects of space Covers pre-flight mission design, trajectory optimisation and launch
definition of trajectory aspects of missions; pre-flight trajectory design (mission window calculations.
space projects, known as mission analysis); in-flight determination and control of II Advanced Flight Dynamics Operations
analysis. All operational ground trajectory and attitude of the spacecraft, High-precision navigation at minor bodies, interplanetary RVD and
activities related to the monitoring of spacecraft AOCS and generation formation control, FD support to GNC subsystems including novel
measurement and control of of orbit- and attitude-related command sensors and actuators; aerocapture and aerobraking; entry, descent
spacecraft orbit and attitude. parameters. Comprises mathematics, and landing; high-precision formation-flying control; high-precision
Provision of precise navigation dynamics, optimisation and environment orbit control for Earth observation.
services to both ground and space- modelling. Mission critical requirements such
III Advanced Flight Dynamics Processes and Tools
based users and also the provision as correctness, robustness, reliability and
Automation of flight dynamics operations, advanced modules of FD
of the geodetic reference frame. flexibility.
application SW and advanced operational processes (including
intelligence).
B GNSS High-Precision Data Processing I Ground Tracking Networks
Operation of GNSS sensor networks, GNSS- Deployment, operation and data collection for GNSS sensor
related data processing, techniques for precise stations, network management, data handling services.
orbit- and clock-determination concepts for II GNSS and Geodetic Data Processing
MEOs and LEOs and satellite geodesy. Models, algorithms, data monitoring, data quality assessment and
delivery of services and products.
III MEO and LEO Precise Orbit Determination Algorithms
Orbit dynamics and related models, analytical and numerical
algorithms, for real-time (ground) and non-real-time (on-
board/ground) data processing, performance analysis.
IV Geodetic Reference Frames
Satellite geodesy, standards, processing of different observations.
11 Space Debris A Ground- and Space-based Debris and I Ground-based Radar Measurements of Debris and Meteoroids
All aspects related to knowledge of Meteoroid Measurements Beampark experiments, observation and performance modelling for
the meteoroid and debris Ground- and space-based measurements and tracking and surveillance sensors, comparison of measurements
environment: space surveillance, related technology developments. and models. Processing of radar tracking data e.g. to reconstitute
databases, debris risk levels for orbits of uncorrelated objects for operational collision avoidance and
current and future missions, reentry anomaly resolution.
of space objects, hyper velocity

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impacts and protection, and
mitigation measures.
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11 Space Debris (cont.) A Ground- and Space-based Debris and II Ground-based Optical Measurements of Debris and Meteoroids
Meteoroid Measurements (cont.) High-altitude surveys for faint objects. Follow-up and catalogue
maintenance of objects in high-altitude orbits. Development and
operation of planning and processing software for optical
measurements of artificial objects. Orbit determination and
observations for anomaly resolution. Planning and performance
analysis for optical space-based sensors.
III In situ Radar and Optical Measurements of Debris and
Meteoroids
Space-based radar and optical detection techniques to characterise
the small-particle environment. Development, flight and data
evaluation.
B Modelling and Risk Analysis I Debris and Meteoroid Environment Models
Population models for meteoroids and debris Development and application of models for the characterisation of
(current and future evolution), statistical and impact flux on orbital surfaces. Development and operation of
operational risk analysis in space and reentry databases on space objects, launch and space event information.
survivability and safety analysis on the ground. II In-orbit Risks
Operational collision avoidance, conjunction detection and analysis,
orbit refinement, avoidance manoeuvre optimisation. Statistical risk
assessment and analysis of requirements for collision avoidance
(delta-V, remaining risk) for mission planning.
III Reentry Risks
Structural analysis to determine the survivability of spacecraft
components under the influence of aerothermal and aerodynamic
stress during controlled and uncontrolled reentries. Development of
simulation models and models of the spacecraft geometry,
materials. Computation of ground safety. Prediction of reentry
windows (date and location) of risk objects from surveillance data.
C Debris Mitigation I Space Debris Mitigation
Identification, standardisation and verification Development of models and tools for the analysis of mitigation
of the implementation of mitigation measures requirements for a space mission, which includes the prediction of
and accompanying models, environment orbital lifetime, fuel assessments, reentry survivability and mission
prediction modelling. survivability with respect to debris impacts, as well as
standardisation of these activities.

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11 Space Debris (cont.) C Debris Mitigation (cont.) II Design for Demise
Design requirements, methodologies and technologies to reduce
the associate casualty risk during uncontrolled atmospheric reentry.
III Passive Reentry
Passive subsystems dedicated to facilitate space systems
atmospheric reentry within 25 years after end-of-life.
(Note 11-C-III-1: Structural aspects and mechanisms for drag
augmentation devices are covered in TS 20-C)
(Note 11-C-III-2: Propulsion aspects of electrodynamic thethers are
covered in 19-C-IV)
IV Passivation Technologies
Technologies to deplete stored energy particularly in the power and
propulsion subsystems. Includes also system aspects of reliability
and robustness requirements.
D Debris Remediation and Protection I Space Debris Environment Remediation
Active removal techniques as well as HVI test Long-term environment projections using models for traffic and
techniques, development and validation of mitigation actions. Identification of removal targets and evaluation of
numerical simulations, evaluation and removal options.
modelling of materials for shielding. II Protection against Debris and Meteoroids
Testing, evaluation and development of HVI test techniques,
development and validation of numerical simulations, evaluation
and modelling of materials under HVI, impact damage data on
spacecraft configuration, shield optimisation.
III Design for Removal
Design requirements, methodologies and technologies to ease
(uncooperative) space systems removal.
IV In-Orbit Contactless Debris Removal
Contactless momentum transfer techniques for debris removal
leading to reentry (e.g. using debris-targeted ion beams or laser to
modify its orbit).

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12 Ground Station Systems and A Ground Station System I Advanced Ground Station Design Concepts
Networks Technologies and techniques related to the Design concepts for RF and optical ground stations for space
All elements and knowhow required design of a ground station system and its communication and space surveillance applications.
for engineering of the facilities that constituent subsystems such as ground TT&C II Ground TT&C and Payload Data Reception Antenna Systems
connect the space segment with and payload data reception antenna systems RF design, optical design, mechanical structures, servo-
control centres. The application using RF and optical techniques; transmit and mechanisms, and tracking processes.
range covers high performance receive radar and optical subsystems for
III Microwave and Optical Active/Passive Subsystems
deep-space stations to networks of ground-based space surveillance; TT&C, radar
All active components such as LNAs, detectors, HPAs, lasers,
small ground stations. and optical signal and data processing.
frequency converters, microwave sources, all passive components
such as filters, switches, isolators, waveguides.
IV TT&C, Radar and Optical Signal & Data Processing
Telemetry receivers, decoders and demodulators, telecommand
modulators and encoders, telemetry data preprocessors, ranging
subsystems and precise navigation techniques.
V Frequency & Time Generation and Distribution for Ground
Applications
All means of frequency generation such as atomic clocks, masers
and crystal oscillators. Time reference generation and
synchronisation.
(Note 12-A-V-1: Reference signals required for navigation, telecom
and science applications are covered in 6-E-V)
B Ground Communications Networks I Advanced Ground Communication Networking Concepts
All technological aspects for TT&C and payload New design concepts for data/communication in the ground
data distribution, related to the use of modern segment.
commercial off-the-shelf ground II Communication Network Technologies and Protocols
communication technology/services, for Issues related to communication and data exchange, including
providing cost/performance effective solutions routing and modem issues as well as network protocols.
to the operations of space missions.

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13 Automation, Telepresence & A Robotic Applications and Concepts I Planetary Robotic Exploration
Robotics System aspects of innovative robotic concepts Novel concepts for handling/assembly of surface infrastructure
Specification, development, for missions. elements, novel aerobot concepts, novel robot concepts for
verification, operation and utilisation exploration (including of asteroids), micro- and nano-rover concepts
of space automation (sub-)systems. and swarms.
Such (sub-)systems include (1) II Orbital Robotic Systems
space robot (sub-)systems Automation of orbital infrastructure, or non-cooperative satellites,
(comprising both arm-based satellite design for robotic servicing (including refuelling), compound
subsystems for inspection, servicing operation of arms on free-flying platforms, assembly and servicing
and assembly of space system of space structures in orbit, multi-robot cooperation.
infrastructure or payloads and
B Automation & Robotics Systems and I Manipulation Robotic Subsystems
mobile robots for surface
Subsystems Robot arms, end-effectors and tools.
exploration on celestial bodies) and
Detailed definition of robotic systems and (see Note 13-1)
(2) space laboratory automation
subsystems, including technology II Mobility Robotic Systems
and payload control subsystems in
developments dedicated to specific Rovers, aerobots, underground and underwater explorers.
manned and unmanned missions.
applications.
(Note 13-1: Detailed mechanisms III Payload Automation Subsystems
aspects are covered in TD15) All automation aspects of space laboratories.
C Automation & Robotics Components and I Perception for Robots
Technologies Sensors and sensing methods (e.g. computer vision) which allow
General purpose and specific Automation & robots to perceive their environment and the state of the process
Robotics (A&R) components and methods. they are controlling.
II Control, Autonomy and Intelligence
Methods that allow robot (sub-)systems to perform perception
processing, understanding of the operating environment, motion
planning and control, attention allocation, anticipation, activity
planning, and reasoning about their own state and the state of other
agents.
III Motion and Actuation of Robots
Means that allow a robot to physically interact with its environment
(e.g. limbs, joints, chassis, wheel units, balloon envelopes,
propulsion units).
(see Note 13-1).

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13 Automation, Telepresence & C Automation & Robotics Components and IV Robot-User Interfacing
Robotics (cont.) Technologies (cont.) Commanding and programming means (e.g. immersive
subsystems, haptic devices) and methods that allow users to
interact with an automation and robotics subsystem. Includes
teleoperation, telepresence, telescience.
V Robot Ground Testing
Tools, methods and facilities that allow on-ground characterisation
and verification of A&R (sub-)systems.
14 Life & Physical Sciences A Instrumentation in Support of Life Sciences I Sensors and Analytical Instrumentation
All technological aspects related to Aspects of human physiology, biology, Whole range of sensors and analytical instruments needed to
instrumentation in support of life biotechnology, exobiology/planetary monitor scientific experiments and to extract scientific data.
and physical sciences, and for exploration. II Imaging Diagnostics and Image Treatment Technologies
ensuring delivery of a complete Whole range from macroscopic imaging down to sub-microscopic
instrument technology. The imaging with the related image treatment technologies (contrast
objective is an optimised scientific enhancement, compression etc.).
return, the emphasis being rather
III Cultivation, Processing and Bioprocessing
on a consistent system philosophy
Simple cultivation of cells and microorganisms; bioreactor type
than on the development of
cultivation including processing/ bioprocessing of materials for in
component technologies. All
situ resources utilisation.
technologies and techniques
relating to planetary protection, both B Instrumentation in Support of Physical I Sensors and Analytical Instrumentation for Physical Sciences
sterilisation methods and Sciences (High-)Temperature sensors to complex analytical instruments such
technologies, and also technologies Aspects of fluid science, material science, as Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray diagnostics tools.
needed to monitor contaminants. crystal growth, applied physics, planetary II Imaging Diagnostics and Image Treatment Technologies for
exploration. Physical Sciences
Macroscopic and microscopic imaging and other (e.g.
interferometric) imaging methods with the related problems of image
acquisition storage, transfer and treatment. Image acquisition
ranges from single shot to high-speed imaging (500 frames/s).
III In-Situ Resources Processing and Production
Low-volume processing of new materials and extends into
processing and production utilising in situ resources in planetary
exploration.

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14 Life & Physical Sciences (cont.) C Applied Life Science Technology I Application of Human Physiology Technologies
Application of advanced and new technologies Application of human physiology technologies to human health
of the life sciences to specific problems of monitoring/care and countermeasures for long duration spaceflight
planetary exploration, planetary protection and and includes radiation monitoring.
human long-term presence in space. II Bioburden/Biodiversity Monitoring
(Note 14-C-I-1: technologies related to All technologies required at spacecraft and facility level to comply
sterilisation effects on materials are covered in with COSPAR planetary protection requirements.
24-C-I)
III Biobarriers
All technologies required to isolate spacecraft subsystems with
different bioburden levels. To be tailored to organic and biological
cleanliness required, and to the specific bioburden reduction
process.
IV Dry Heat Sterilisation
Standard and non-standard dry heat bioburden reduction processes
for subsystem and system (terminal process).
V Low-Temperature Sterilisation
Gas and liquid sterilisation processes at low temperatures.
Complementary to standard dry heat sterilisation.
VI Precision Cleaning and Sterility
Cleaning processes to achieve high level of organic cleanliness and
sterility. Required for sample acquisition and distribution
subsystems, as well as for certain classes of sample return
missions.
15 Mechanisms A Mechanism Core Technologies I Actuator Technologies
All devices with moving parts (e.g. Building-block technologies used individually or Technologies to provide torque or force: e.g. electromagnetic
actuators, hold-down & release in combination to provide a mechanism motors, voice coils, piezo motors, smart material actuators (e.g.
devices, pointing mechanisms, function. shape memory alloy actuators, electroactive polymer actuators,
deployable booms, thrust vector spring actuators, paraffin actuators).
control mechanisms); associated II Dampers & Speed Regulator Technologies
specific disciplines (such as Technologies to regulate the speed of a movable element or to
tribology and pyrotechnics) and damp mechanical loads (e.g. low melting point alloy regulator, fluid
tools (such as mechanism and damper, mechanical damper, eddy current damper).

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magnetic simulations).
III Motion Transformer Technologies
Technologies used to transform a motion (e.g. gears, pulleys and
cables, harmonic drives, ball and roller screws).
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15 Mechanisms (cont.) A Mechanism Core Technologies (cont.) IV Motion & Force Sensor Technologies
Position sensors (potentiometers, optical encoders, resolvers,
capacitive sensors, Hall sensors, etc.) switches, strain gauge
sensors, accelerometers.
V Guiding Technologies
Technologies providing linear or rotational guiding functions (e.g.
ball and roller bearings, journal bearings, magnetic bearings,
magnetic gears, ball joints, flexible guides and compliant
mechanisms).
VI Sealing Technologies
Technologies providing a static or dynamic sealing function.
VII Electrical Transfer Technologies
Technologies whose function is to transfer an electrical signal
between two parts in relative motion, with or without contact (e.g.
slip rings, roll rings, cable wrap, twist capsules, contactless
electrical transfer technologies).
VIII Development of New Devices for Future Exploration and
Exploitation Missions
Connection and disconnection of structures, electrical and fluid
circuits, deployment of shields and shelters, seismic and exploration
functions including locomotion anchoring, penetrating, sealing
mechanisms; for manned, robotic and automatic operation.
B Non-Explosive Release Technologies
Non-pyrotechnic technologies used to release
a force or torque (e.g. mechanical fuse, shape
memory alloy, electromagnetic, paraffin).
C Exploration Tool Technologies
Tool technologies to acquire samples in
exploration missions (e.g. drill bits, ultrasonic
tools).
D Control Electronics Technologies
Technologies providing mechanism control
(open and closed loop control electronics).

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15 Mechanisms (cont.) E MEMS Technologies
Micro-/nano-technologies providing a
mechanism function (e.g. pointing, scanning).
(Note 15-E-1: Aspects related to quality are
covered in TD23)
F Tribology Technologies I Lubrication Technologies
Technologies related to the science of Technologies providing a lubrication function (e.g. solid lubricants,
interacting surfaces. fluid lubricants, self-lubricating materials).
II Material Surface Technologies
Technologies providing a specific material surface tribological
performance (e.g. coatings, surface/heat treatment).
(Note 15-F-II-1: Issues related to material characterisation are
covered in TD24)
G Mechanism Engineering I Mechanism Engineering Disciplines
Specific mechanism engineering knowhow to Specific engineering disciplines involved in the design and
develop space-related mechanisms. development of space mechanisms (e.g. motorisation sizing, micro-
vibration analysis, functional tolerance budgets, multi-body dynamic
analysis, tribology, design to demise, operations in cryogenic
environment).
II Mechanism Engineering Tools
Specific tools used to support the design and development of space
mechanisms (e.g. bearing sizing software, multi-body dynamic
analysis software, close-loop control and micro-vibration analysis,
tribology tools, gear analysis tools, electromagnetic analysis).
H Pyrotechnic Technologies I Explosive Composition Technologies
Development and testing of new materials, High-temperature survival and ageing characteristics; shock
ignition methods, actuation and miniaturisation. reduction technologies including testing.
II Thermite and Gas Generation Technologies
Applications of thermite heating to provide connection,
disconnection, release, joining, demising. Provision of oxygen for
life and other gases for pressure functions.
III Reliability Determination for Non-Repeating Functions

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levels of confidence, definition and demonstration of test and
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15 Mechanisms (cont.) H Pyrotechnic Technologies (cont.) IV Optical Ignition Technologies
Development of components and subsystems for alternative to
electrical ignition, with potential to increase safety by reducing
sensitivity to electrical disturbance.
V Advanced Electropyrotechnics
Use of explosive foil initiators in order to reduce mass and cost and
increase safety.
I Flexible Capture Mechanisms
Specific mechanisms such as those needed in
nets or harpoons concepts for in-orbit capture
or for different applications including active
debris removal.
16 Optics A Optical Subsystem Engineering I Optical Subsystem Definition, Design and Engineering
Technologies and techniques for Definition, design and engineering of optical Definition, design and engineering of optical subsystems and the
subsystems, instruments and subsystems and payload/instrument conceptual definition of optical payload/instrument architectures.
components, as well as design, architectures; evaluation and verification (by II Optical Design Performance Evaluation and Analysis
engineering and verification analysis and testing) of the optical design Evaluation and verification of optical design performances by
methods, in the field of optics. performances (including straylight). analysis (e.g. optical models, Zemax, ASAP, CodeV) and/or testing
(e.g. optics laboratory); includes evaluation of straylight and design
of means for straylight suppression (e.g. baffles).
B Optical Components Technology and I Optical Components
Materials All technologies for refractive and reflective optical components
All techniques and technologies for design and such as (classical-bulk) filters, lenses, gratings, prisms, beam
manufacture of optical components (from splitters, polarisers manufactured in conventional/ classical-bulk
micro/nanostructures to lightweight telescope technology. Includes grinding/polishing techniques, special glass
mirrors of several metres’ aperture) as well as and substrates and coating technologies (radiation tolerant).
of stable optical benches; includes component
mounting technologies and special optical
materials; covers the whole ‘optical’ spectrum
from X-ray to far-infrared.

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16 Optics (cont.) B Optical Components Technology and II Micro-Optics Components, MOEMS, Optical Fibres and Passive
Materials (cont.) Integrated Optics
All passive optical components made in micro-/nanotechnology,
such as diffractive elements, holographic elements, meta-material
elements, micro-optic devices, micro-opto-electro-mechanical
subsystems (MOEMS) like switches and dynamic gratings, optical
fibres and integrated optics devices.
III Mirror and Telescope Technologies
Design, materials and manufacturing technologies for lightweight
mirrors and telescopes (including structures and baffles) with
apertures ranging from 10 cm to several metres, operating at X-ray,
UV, visible, IR and far-IR wavelengths; includes monolithic mirrors,
segmented mirrors, deployable telescopes, super-polishing and
coating, adaptive optics and wavefront control.
IV Optical Mounting Technologies
Covers the design and development of stable optical mountings
(component mounting and alignment technologies)
(Note 16-B-IV-1: optical benches are covered in 20-B-II)
C Optical Equipment and Instrument I Spectrometers, Imaging Spectrometers, Radiometers
Technology Techniques and technologies for the design, manufacture and test
All techniques and technologies for the design, of optical equipments and instruments for imaging, spectroscopy
manufacture and test of optical equipments and radiometry, including Fourier-transform spectrometers.
and instruments for imaging, spectroscopy, II Cameras, Illumination Devices, Displays
radiometry, sounding, remote sensing, Techniques and technologies for the design, manufacture and
metrology, ranging, illumination, free-space testing of cameras and optical devices for illumination and display.
optical communications for applications in
III Laser Ranging and Imaging, Lidars and Altimeters
Earth observation, science and planetary
Techniques and technologies for the design, manufacture and
research, telecommunication and navigation.
testing of optical equipments and instruments for ranging, altimetry,
3D imaging (for GNC, planetary landers, RVD, rover navigation),
atmospheric sounding, and remote sensing; includes tunable high-
resolution filters.

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16 Optics (cont.) C Optical Equipment and Instrument IV Interferometry, Aperture Synthesis and Optical Phased Arrays
Technology (cont.) Techniques and technologies for the design, manufacture and
testing of optical equipments and instruments of very high-resolution
based on interferometric methods, aperture synthesis and optical
phased arrays, in particular for science missions and
imaging/remote sensing from geostationary orbit.
V High-Precision Optical Metrology
Techniques and technologies for the design, manufacture and
testing of optical equipments and instruments for high-precision
optical metrology in space (e.g. for formation-flying constellations),
but also for on-ground verification of structures, mirror surfaces and
telescopes.
VI Optical Ground Support Equipments
Techniques and technologies for the design, manufacture and
commissioning of optical equipment/subsystems for calibration and
performance verification of optical subsystems.
17 Optoelectronics A Laser Technologies I Laser Sources
Development and application of Technologies and techniques needed for the Continuous wave (CW) lasers and pulsed diode-pumped bulk solid-
technologies combining photonics generation of coherent optical radiation. state lasers (e.g. Nd:YAG, etc.), mode-augmented diode lasers for
(i.e. circuits handling photons) with the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region (VCSEL, ECLD, etc.), mode-
electronics to achieve given augmented quantum cascade lasers (QCL) and GaN for the mid-IR
functions. and visible spectral regions respectively, LEDs, diode-pumped rare
Earth (RE) doped waveguide lasers, doped fibre lasers, etc.
II Laser Pumping
Laser-diode arrays LDA (CW and QCW), high-power single-emitter
(CW) diode sources and related pump-packaging issues, flash-
lamp, solar pump, electron-beam, etc. Implementation of efficient
spectral control of LDA emission.
III Laser Oscillators and Amplifiers
Geometrical mode control of both stable and unstable resonator
designs. Mode matching techniques and device technologies, etc.
Q-switched and mode-locking techniques. Laser amplifier stages,
coherent power control and combination. Amplifier designs for CW
and pulsed applications; bulk amplifiers, flared semiconductor
amplifiers, doped fibre amplifiers.

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17 Optoelectronics (cont.) A Laser Technologies (cont.) IV Laser Frequency Control and Stabilisation
Laser cavity length control and tuning techniques, injection locking
and seeding, for frequency control. Frequency stabilisation and
locking techniques using optical stabilising reference cavities
(OSRC) for phase control and the achievement of sub-Hz line
widths and absolute frequency locking to narrow spectral features.
Implementation of electronic-optical feedback techniques for
linewidth reduction. Development and implementation of methods to
reduce the Thermal Noise Limit (TNL) on SRC optics. Development
and verification of novel methods to achieve sub-mHz linewidth
emission.
V Non-Linear Optics
Harmonic generation, non-linear crystals and poled waveguide
materials, parametric conversion, multi-photon processes,
stimulated light scattering, spatial laser beam cleaning using phase
conjugated mirrors, saturable absorbers, etc.
B Detector Technologies I Visible Detectors
All the technologies and techniques needed for Single-pixel (photodiodes), linear and 2D arrays, CCD and CMOS
the detection of optical radiation. image sensors (APS), APDs, APD arrays, SiPM arrays.
II Infrared detectors (NIR–FIR)
Photon and thermal technologies, including MCT, InGaAs, III-V,
QWIP, QDIP, T2SL, microbolometers, pyroelectrics.
III UV, X-ray & Gamma-Ray Detectors
Si, wide bandgap semiconductors, scintillators.
IV Superconducting Detectors
HEB, SINIS-junctions, heterodyne mixers, etc.
V Superconducting Devices
Low-temperature and high-temperature superconducting devices
and sensors such as SQUIDs, Josephson-type junctions,
gradiometers, etc.
VI Focal Plane Technologies
Component technologies, integration, accommodation techniques,

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17 Optoelectronics (cont.) C Photonics I RF Photonics
Guided-wave optical technologies and Photonic devices for generation, handling and distribution of
techniques for handling optical signals, or to microwave signals on board satellites, frequency down-conversion,
achieve specific functions for various time delay, RF signal phase and amplitude control, optical beam-
applications. forming and distribution networks, on-board optical links &
interconnects, etc.
II Micro- & Nano-Photonics
Photonic IC technologies, hybrid and monolithic integration of active
and passive functions in various material subsystems including
silica and semiconductor materials. Silicon photonics for on-chip
optical functions.
III Fibre-Optic Sensors
Pressure, temperature and strain sensors, including interrogation
units for satellites, platforms and launchers.
IV Optical Atomic Clocks
Laser cooling and trapping techniques for atoms, ions and
molecules, optical frequency combs based on mode-locked lasers
and ultra-high-Q microcavities. Includes also fibre-optic and free-
space optical frequency dissemination over large distances,
subsystem integration and verification into clock subsystems, space
qualification of subsystem elements.
D Optical Communication Technologies
Techniques and technologies for the design,
manufacture and testing of optical
equipment/subsystems and terminals for
optical communications between satellites and
between spacecraft and ground stations (e.g.
feeder links, deep-space communications).
(Note 17-D-I- I: specific technologies like
quantum communications for secure links,
cryptography and global key distribution are
addressed in TD17-E-II).

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17 Optoelectronics (cont.) E Quantum Technologies I Quantum Device, Metrology and Sensing
Entangled photons for transmissions, enabling Laser-cooled atom sensors including atom interferometers,
highly secure communication systems. magnetometers, photon confinement and trapping techniques
leading to BECs, atomic-scale sensing devices, etc. Implementation
of laser-cooled and coherent population trapping (CPT) and the
technology required for its implementation; chip gas cells, etc.
Covers also Quantum Detectors Technologies.
II Quantum Communication
QKD (together with 6-A-V); specific technologies like quantum
communication or secure links, cryptography and global key
distribution.
III Quantum Information Processing and Simulations
Quantum computing, coherent computing and simulations.
18 Fluid Mechanics A Fluid Mechanics Tools and Techniques I Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Technologies and techniques Engineering and computational fluid dynamics Continuum and discrete particle models (including numerical
related to the flow of fluids: gases, (CFD) techniques, both for internal and algorithm and grid generation techniques) for multi-physics flow.
liquids, and plasma. Composed of external flows, for the multidisciplinary design II Engineering Techniques for Fluid Mechanics
two sub-disciplines: and analysis of space vehicles. Analytical, semi-empirical and parametric design tools.
Aerothermodynamics (gases and
plasma) and Hydrodynamics III Multidisciplinary Techniques for Fluid Mechanics
(liquids). Aerothermodynamics is Coupling tools (including advanced optimisation algorithms) and/or
related with the dynamics of gases databases of different technical disciplines.
and plasma, its physical processes, B Ground-Based Facilities I Cold Gas Facilities
pressure and thermal fields and All types of wind tunnels and other test facilities Continuous and blow-down wind tunnels, ballistic ranges, etc.
deals with the atmospheric for the design and analysis of space vehicles, II Hot Gas Facilities
interactions with moving objects at both for internal and external flow. Arc-heated, piston driven, detonation driven, etc.
low or high speeds. Hydrodynamics III Dedicated Facilities for Fluid Mechanics
deals with the study of liquids in Contamination, hovering, base flow-jet interaction, etc.
motion inside the propellant tanks of
flight vehicles and involves the
calculation of various properties of
fluid propellant, such as flow
velocity, pressure, density, and

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18 Fluid Mechanics (cont.) C Sensors and Measurement Techniques for I Intrusive Measurements for Fluid Mechanics Applications
Fluid Mechanics Sensing technologies suitable for measurements in hostile
All types of measurement techniques for environment – temperature, pressure, heat flux, etc.
ground facilities and flight platforms, for the II Non-Intrusive Measurements for Fluid Mechanics Applications
design and analysis of space vehicles, both for Multi-spectral infrared, laser spectroscopy, electron-beam, etc.
internal and external flow.
III Wireless Measurements for Fluid Mechanics Applications
Radio sensing, health monitoring, etc.
D Flight Demonstrators and Flight Data Tools I User Interface of Flight Demonstrators & Data Tools
The informatics environment to conserve, Aspects related to tools and methods for data storage, handling and
retrieve and use flight data from experimental post-processing.
test beds and demonstrators, and their II Informatics Environment of Flight Demonstrators & Data Tools
associated wind tunnel and CFD extrapolation Aspects related to subsystems for data storage, handling and post-
to flight data. processing.
E Fluid Mechanics Hardware I Filling and refilling
Flight vehicle engineering of the management of the passing of fuel
between several tanks. With the consideration of reusable
propulsion systems operating on ground and in flight, or the need of
extension of life of space vehicles, these technologies are required
for either storable or cryogenic propulsion systems with increased
capabilities and storage volumes. With the development of Space
Logistics, a diversification of technologies is now considered,
including propellant management devices, sloshing and propellant
management tools and techniques, and related fluid mechanics
components.

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18 Fluid Mechanics (cont.) E Fluid Mechanics Hardware (cont.) II Fluid Mechanics Hardware Equipment
Flight vehicle engineering of innovative aerodynamic surfaces, and
the engineering of hardware equipment for the management of
liquids and gases. This comprises primary surfaces are advanced
ailerons, elevators, and rudders operative across all flight regimes.
Complementary surfaces are innovative spoilers, flaps, slats, and
airbrakes used to disrupt efficiently the airflow and efficiently reduce
or increase the lift of the flying vehicle or to increase drag. Also
included are parafoil, parachute, shape modulated heat shields,
advanced technologies for the management of sound and acoustics
in space vehicles, and innovative intake air collectors for air-
breathing propulsion systems.
19 Propulsion A Chemical Propulsion Technologies I Liquid Propulsion Subsystems
Technologies and techniques to Wide range of technologies for propulsion Cold gas, mono- and bipropellant, on-board subsystems, cryogenic
generate forces and torques to subsystems, based on the use of chemical and LOX/hydrocarbon launch vehicle subsystems.
change the velocity and orientation energy, relevant to the following major II Solid Propulsion Subsystems
of space vehicles (spacecraft, applications: (1) spacecraft on-board From microthrust subsystems up to launch vehicle boosters.
launchers, high speed atmospheric propulsion (including micropropulsion); (2)
III Air-Breathing and Hybrid Propulsion Subsystems
vehicles). The technologies (such reusable or expendable launch vehicles/upper
Ramjets, scramjets, rocket based cycles.
as engines, tanks, chambers, stage/space tugs propulsion; (3) reentry
nozzles, valves, etc.) are based on manoeuvring propulsion subsystems.
chemical, electrical, solar, nuclear, B Electric Propulsion Technologies I Electrostatic Propulsion Subsystems
gravity, magnetic, and other Propulsion subsystems that use electrical Subsystems based on Hall-effect thrusters, gridded ion engines,
techniques. energy (solar or nuclear), classified according field emission thrusters.
to the following major applications: (1) II Electrothermal Propulsion Subsystems
spacecraft on-board propulsion (including Subsystems based on resistojets, arcjets and power-augmented
micropropulsion); (2) orbital stages/tugs catalytic thrusters.
propulsion.
III Electromagnetic Propulsion Subsystems
Subsystems based on magneto-plasma-dynamic thrusters and
pulsed plasma thrusters.

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19 Propulsion (cont.) C Other Propulsion Subsystems I Solar Thermal Propulsion Subsystems
Wide range of non-classical propulsion Technologies and techniques related to the use of solar power to
subsystems, for both spacecraft and directly heat a part of the space vehicle and transform this heat into
launchers/upper-stages, and the technology thrust by means of a dedicated engine.
field of breakthrough propulsion physics. II Nuclear Propulsion Subsystems
Technologies and techniques related to the use of nuclear engines
to produce thrust such as Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR), that uses
a working fluid that is heated to a high temperature in a nuclear
reactor, or Nuclear Electrical Rocket (NER), that uses the thermal
energy from a nuclear reactor converted into electrical energy to
drive an electrical thruster.
III Solar Sailing Propulsion Subsystems
Technologies and techniques related to the use of the radiation
pressure exerted by sunlight on large space vehicle surfaces.
IV Tethered Propulsion Subsystems
Technologies and techniques related to the use of long cables to
create a force at the end-masses of the system due to the
centrifugal force (e.g. electrodynamic tethers, momentum exchange
tethers).
(Note 19-C-IV-1: system level and design aspects of tether
subsystems for reentry applications are covered in 11-C-III)
V Advanced Propulsion Concepts
Technologies and techniques related to advanced, new, and
breakthrough concepts and ideas such as anti-gravity subsystems,
air breathing propulsion , laser beamed propulsion, Lorentz force
accelerators, cryosolids propulsion, etc.
D Supporting Propulsion Technologies and I Propulsion Subsystems Modelling
Tools Propulsion subsystem design tools, thruster and engine
Technologies and tools that are used in performance and life prediction tools, propulsion subsystem/space
support of the development, qualification, vehicle interaction tools and related orbit/trajectory definition tools.
integration and monitoring of propulsion
subsystems. These tools and technologies, II Propulsion Subsystems Testing and Diagnostics
although similar in scope and classification, Facilities and diagnostic tools for ground performance, qualification
might differ substantially depending on their and acceptance tests of propulsion subsystems; on-board
use for chemical, electrical or other propulsion. propulsion diagnostics and health monitoring systems.

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19 Propulsion (cont.) D Supporting Propulsion Technologies and III Propellants
Tools (cont.) Technologies for production, storage, transportation and
characterisation of solid, liquid or gaseous propellants. Covers also
all aspects related to green propellants.
IV Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
All mechanical, fluid and electrical ground support subsystems
dedicated to a propulsion subsystem integration, testing, loading
and launch preparation.
20 Structures A Structural Design and Verification Methods I Space (sub-) systems Design and Design Tools
Technologies and methodologies and Tools CAD tools and methodologies.
related to design, analysis, All technologies related to the development II Structural Analysis Tools and Methodologies
manufacture and test of structures and implementation of mechanical design Structural verification tools and methodologies (acoustics, damage
and mechanical subsystems for tools, analysis tools and methodologies, testing tolerance, thermo-elastic, deployment simulations, composite
spacecrafts, planetary tools and methodologies, load measurements structures …).
infrastructures, habitats, launchers and evaluation techniques etc.
III Structural Testing Tools and Methodologies
and reentry vehicles. Includes
Test data storage tools, test data evaluation tools, test prediction
metallic and non-metallic structures
tools.
such as advanced deployable
structures (solar array, radiator, IV In-flight/In-orbit Loads and Vibration Measurement Techniques
shield and antenna structures), Sensors, integration, data recording/downloading, data evaluation.
highly-loaded structures, highly- B High Stability and High-Precision I Advanced Material Technologies for Stable Structures
stable structures and hot structures. Spacecraft Structures Manufacture of stable structures, structural verification, failure
All technologies related to such structures, analysis, definition of structural allowables etc.
including advanced material applications, as II Joining and Mounting Technologies
well as manufacturing and verification aspects. Interfacing to other structures, verification of interfaces for high-
stability and high-precision structures.
Includes design, materials and manufacturing technologies for
stable, compact, lightweight optical benches operating at room
temperature, but also down to cryogenic temperatures
(Note 20-B-II-1: optical mounting technologies are covered in 16-B-
IV)
III Thermo-elastic Stability Verification Technologies
Design, analysis and test aspects.

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20 Structures (cont.) C Inflatable and Deployable Structures I Design and Verification Technologies
Shields, antennas, booms, solar arrays, Design tools, deployment simulation, test methodologies, combined
airbags and inflatable landing subsystems, verification methodologies.
drag augmentation devices, etc. All II Structural Material Concepts
technologies related to such structures, Material testing, laminate/membrane design, in-orbit curing aspects.
including materials, deployment simulations,
III Joining Technologies For Inflatable and Deployable Structures
damping, active control and verification
Design and verification of joints (both flexible-to-flexible and flexible-
methodologies.
to-rigid) for inflatable and deployable structures.
(Note 20-C-1: system level and design aspects
of drag augmentation devices for reentry
applications are covered in 11-C-III)
D Hot Structures I Design and Verification Technologies for Ceramic Structures
All technologies related to such structures, Manufacturing aspects, detailed design aspects, analysis and test
including related material developments, aspects, static, dynamic, thermo-elastic.
coatings and verification methodologies. II Design and Verification Technologies for Metallic Structures
Manufacturing aspects, detailed design aspects, analysis and test
aspects, static, dynamic, thermo-elastic.
III New Advanced Hot Structures Materials
Development and structural application of advanced materials such
as UHT materials.
IV Joining Technologies for Hot Structures
All aspects related to joining of hot structures, e.g. fasteners,
brazing and other methods. Also includes verification methods.
V Health Monitoring Technologies
Sensors, data recording, data evaluation etc.
E Active/Adaptive Structures I Sensor/Actuator Technologies
All technologies related to the development Sensor/actuator developments e.g. electroactive polymers (EAP),
and application of such structures, for dynamic piezo patches, fibres.
control of flexible structures, noise reduction, (Note 20-E-I-1: Detailed mechanisms aspects are covered in TD15)
load reduction, active and passive damping. II Technologies for Structural Integration
Includes sensor and activator developments, Various sensor/actuator combinations.
structural and subsystem integration and
III Data Acquisition and Control Logic Technologies Related to
control logics.
Structural Dynamics
Multi-body dynamics analysis tools and methodologies.
IV Design and Verification Tools and Methodologies for
Active/Adaptative Structures
Detailed analysis and test tools.

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20 Structures (cont.) F Damage Tolerance and Health Monitoring I Non Destructive Inspection Technologies
All technologies related to the development Development of new methodologies and related hardware,
and implementation of damage tolerance and application in space programmes.
health monitoring tools, methodologies and II Structural-Health-Monitoring Sensor Technologies
hardware, including fatigue, fracture control, Sensor development, structural integration etc.
non-destructive inspection (NDI) and sensor
III Fracture Control Tools and Methodologies
developments.
Numerical tools, detailed analysis methodologies, e.g. for non-linear
applications, damage tolerance for composites and ceramics.
G Launchers, Reentry Vehicles, Planetary I Technologies for Design and Verification of Advanced Primary
Vehicles Structures
Includes all related technologies for the Structural concepts for highly-loaded components, manufacturing
development of vehicle primary and secondary methodologies e.g. fibre placement, RTM etc.
structures, control surfaces, shields, etc. (For II Advanced Tank Design and Verification Technologies
ascent, entry, etc.). Metallic and composite tanks, interfaces to primary structure,
common bulkheads, HMS, NDI, damage tolerance approaches, etc.
III Landing Attenuation Technologies
Airbag technologies, landing legs, application of crushable
materials, foams etc.
IV Control Surfaces, Design and Verification Technologies
Design with ceramics as well as advanced metallic alloys, combined
mechanical–thermal test methodologies etc.
V Descent Subsystems
Descent subsystems like parachutes, parafoils, in-air capturing
technologies.
H Crew Habitation, Safe Haven and EVA suits I Habitation Primary and Secondary Structure Technologies
All technologies for the development of related Environmental shields, design and verification technologies.
primary and secondary structures, shields etc.
II EVA Suits and Mechanical Aspects
Design of load-/pressure-carrying elements, interface design
between elements, structural material aspects, meteoroid/debris
impact shielding aspects.

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20 Structures (cont.) I Meteoroid and Debris Shield Design and I Tools and Methodologies for Design and Verification of
Analysis Meteoroid & Debris Shields
Development of related analysis and test tools Numerical tools, materials models, shield test methods, gas guns,
and methods, shield developments, damage shaped charges, data acquisition technologies.
assessments etc.
J Advanced Structural Concepts and I Design and Verification for Advanced Structures and Materials
Materials Design and verification methods for structures manufactured from
Structures manufactured from novel materials novel materials (nanotube reinforced, foams, self-healing materials
(nanotube reinforced, foams, self-healing etc.).
materials etc.).
21 Thermal A Heat Transport Technology I Heat Pipes
All technologies needed for the All technologies associated with heat transport, All technologies related to heat pipes, e.g. constant conductance,
thermal control of space systems whether in the single phase or using the latent variable conductance and heat pipe diodes.
and subsystems. heat in two-phase subsystems. II Capillary-Driven Loops
All technologies related to capillary-driven two-phase heat transport
loops, including Capillary Pumped Loops (CPLs) and Loop Heat
Pipes (LHPs).
III Mechanically-Pumped Two-Phase Loops
All elements and associated technologies for mechanically-pumped
two-phase heat transport loops.
IV Mechanically-Pumped Single-Phase Loops
All elements and associated technologies for mechanically-pumped
single-phase heat transport loops.
V Heat Switches
All elements and technologies for heat switches, e.g. based on Loop
Heat Pipes or mechanically driven.
B Cryogenics and Refrigeration I Refrigeration and Heat Pumps
All technologies associated with transferring All refrigeration technologies required for temperature control of
heat from lower to higher temperature levels items in a near-room-temperature environment, including also heat
and cooling by evaporation of stored cryogens. pumps.
II Cryo-Coolers
All active cryo-machinery and associated technologies for cooling to
cryogenic temperatures (down to 1K).
III Passive Coolers and Stored Cryogens
All technologies related to non-active cooling (e.g. radiators,
cryostats).

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21 Thermal (cont.) B Cryogenics and Refrigeration (cont.) IV Sub-Kelvin Coolers
All technologies required to provide cooling below 1K.
C Thermal Protection I Ablative Subsystems
All technologies associated with thermal All technologies providing thermal protection based on chemical
protection and insulation subsystems for and/or physical reactions.
atmospheric entry. II Reusable Subsystems
Thermal protection technologies for multiple applications on reentry
vehicles.
D Heat Storage and Rejection I Coatings and Insulation
All technologies associated with heat storage All technologies for achieving thermal control surfaces and
and rejection using coatings, insulation, insulation.
thermal capacitors and radiators. II Heat Storage
All types of thermal capacitors, e.g. phase-change materials.
III Radiators
All technologies associated with radiative interfaces between the
subsystem and its environment, including louvres.
E Thermal Analysis Tools I Thermal Software Tools
All software tools and methods for the design All software used for system- and subsystem-level analysis in the
and verification of space systems and thermal area.
subsystems. II Thermal Data Exchange
All protocols, tools and methods for thermal data transfer from one
software environment to another.
III Thermal Analysis Methods
All analytical and numerical methods in relation with the
development and application of software tools for design and
verification.

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22 Environmental Control & Life A Environmental Control & Life Support I Environmental Control and Monitoring
Support (ECLS) and In Situ (ECLS) All technologies related to air, water and food quality monitoring and
Resource Utilisation (ISRU) All technologies for controlling, maintaining and control with respect to microbial and chemical contaminants.
All technologies for controlling, supporting human presence in non-terrestrial II Regenerative Life Support
maintaining and supporting human environments, such as regenerative (recycling) All technologies related to air and air revitalisation, water and waste
presence in space and the technologies for air, water and waste, food recycling and food preparation and production, using physico-
utilisation of local resources. production and preparation, environmental chemical and biological processes.
monitoring and control, including habitability
issues. III Habitability Technologies
All technologies needed for design and implementation of a human
habitat, aiming for crew wellbeing, crew motivation and optimum
performance, including definition of key psychological factors.
IV Integrated ECLS
All aspects and associated technologies for integrated human
habitats and life support subsystems, including ground-based
testbeds and overall simulation tools and methods.
B In Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) I ECLS Consumables
Technological aspects related to the use of All technologies for collecting and processing fluids and gases to be
indigenous materials at the site of an used as consumables for ECLS in human habitats (e.g. oxygen,
interplanetary mission for the production of hydrogen, nitrogen, water).
resources such as propellants (e.g. methane, II ISRU Fuels
oxygen), reactants for fuel cells (e.g. carbon All technologies for collecting and processing fluids and gases to be
monoxide, oxygen) or fluids/gases for life used as consumables for propulsion and energy production.
support.
III ISRU Storage and Distribution
All technologies required for storing and distributing fluids and
gases.
IV ISRU Processing and Production
Low-volume processing of new materials and extends into
processing and production utilising in situ resources in planetary
exploration.

51
 52
TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
23 Electrical, Electronic and Electro- A Methods and Processes for Product I EEE Components Evaluation and Testing
mechanical (EEE) Components Assurance of EEE Components Development of laboratory techniques and test methods for
and Quality For determining and enhancing characterisation, evaluation, qualification, derating, end-of-life,
Technologies related to the design, technology/component reliability and suitability failure analysis and procurement of space components.
production and testing of EEE for flight applications. Definition of Radiation II EEE Components Radiation Hardening
components which meet the Hardness Assurance (RHA) requirements, Process hardening, design hardening, mitigation techniques,
performance and reliability modelling of particle interaction with matter and verification and validation.
requirements for use in on-board resulting radiation effects in EEE components
III EEE Components Design and Development
electric/electronic subsystems. (including simulation of component parameter
Development and design of components adapted to the
degradation), characterisation of radiation
requirements for space applications.
effects in terms of technology and design-
dependent basic mechanisms, radiation IV EEE Components Modelling
hardening/mitigation and radiation verification Simulation of EEE component responses to radiation at
testing, including definition of irradiation test semiconductor level, including simulation and prediction of EEE
facility requirements and dosimetry. component parameter degradation.
V Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) Process
Definition of RHA requirements and development of irradiation test
method/guidelines.
VI Irradiation Test Facilities
Definition of irradiation test facility requirements covering particle
species, energy, flux, beam size, uniformity and accuracy. Definition
of dosimetry and dosimetry accuracy. Definition of all interfaces
(mechanical and electrical) to enable irradiation testing of EEE
components.
VII Upscreening Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) EEE
Components
Spin-In of COTS components by characterisation and upscreening
for specific space applications. This in conjunction with reference
designs and mitigation techniques applied at component-, sub-
system- and system-level. Development of characterisation and
evaluation techniques.

ESA STM-277 4th ed.

 ESA STM-277 4th ed.
TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
23 Electrical, Electronic and Electro- B EEE Component Technologies I Passive EEE Components
mechanical (EEE) Components Component technologies most commonly Capacitors, inductors, resistors, crystals, magnetics, switches,
and Quality (cont.) evaluated using the processes in 23-A. wires, cables, connectors, piezo actuators, heaters, harnesses, non-
integrated electro-mechanical components. RF passive components
such as isolators, circulators, etc.

II Silicon-Based EEE Components

Discrete, analogue, digital and mixed signal technologies and
device types across all integration levels and functional complexity
ranges in bipolar and MOS technologies.
III RF Microwave and Millimetre Wave EEE Components
Discrete and MMIC components including RF-CMOS, GaAs, SiGe,
InP technologies, packaging and RF passive components.
IV Optoelectronic Active and Passive Components
Optical and near-optical sensors, detectors, laser diodes, fibre
optical connectors, optical assemblies and associated passive
components.
V Hybrids and Micropackaging
Thick and thin film hybrid technologies, microwave hybrid circuits,
DC–DC converter technologies, crystal oscillators, multichip
modules, system-on-a-chip (SOC), 3D stacking and interconnect
technologies, IC packaging technologies, RF and MMIC packaging
and subassemblies.
VI Power EEE Components
Very-high-voltage MOSFETS, IGBT, SiC, GaN power devices,
power including for realisation of high performance DC–DC power
conversion transistors and thermal management components.
VII Wide Band Gap Technologies
SiC, GaN and Diamond for advanced MMIC applications and harsh
environment sensor technologies and for realisation of high
performance DC–DC power conversion transistors.
VIII Micro Electro Mechanical Subsystems (MEMS)
Evolving range of technologies and applications including RF
MEMS, pressure sensors, AOCS sensors, MOEMS, actuators, etc.

53
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TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
23 Electrical, Electronic and Electro- B EEE Component Technologies (cont.) IX Nanotechnology in Microcircuits
mechanical (EEE) Components Application of carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, innovative
and Quality (cont.) nanomaterials to microcircuit improvement.
X Advanced Manufacturing of EEE Components
Application of advanced manufacturing techniques in the
development of EEE Components for space applications. (Note 23-
B-X-1: manufacturing-process aspects are covered in 24-I).
24 Materials and Manufacturing A Novel Materials and Materials Technology I Material Assessment
Processes Materials not yet used in space but presenting Basic properties, possibility to scale-up, limitations. Material
Materials mechanics and potential interest. properties assessment for additive manufacturing processes.
processes, their physical and II Nanotechnology
chemical behaviour and the Development, manufacture and test of nanotubes, nanofibres,
interaction with the operational nanocoatings.
environment through the spacecraft
and ground infrastructure lifecycle.
Furthermore, all manufacturing
processes are covered.

B Materials Processes I Joining

Materials manufacturing processes and Glueing, bonding, welding, brazing, soldering, fastening, repairing.
fabrication techniques. (Note 24-B-I-1: technologies related to the joining of high stability
structures are covered in 20-B-II; technologies related to the joining
of inflatable and deployable structures are covered in 20-C-III;
technologies related to the joining of hot structures are covered in
20-D-IV.)
II Coating
Development, manufacture and test of all type of coatings such as
paints, conformal coatings, organic/inorganic/metallic coatings,
thermo-optical coatings, thermal control materials, optical materials,
sol-gel coatings, ALD, oxidation protection, finishes.
III Materials Characterisation and Feedback
All aspects related to thermo-physical/ mechanical/chemical
properties, long-term ageing effects.

ESA STM-277 4th ed.

 ESA STM-277 4th ed.
TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
24 Materials and Manufacturing C Cleanliness and Sterilisation I Sterilisation of Materials
Processes (cont.) Techniques, tests and technologies to ensure Effect of sterilisation on materials and assemblies, compatibility of
and verify that the hardware fulfils the materials with sterilisation techniques.
requirements in terms of contamination, (Note 24-C-I-1: Technologies related to verification of the bioburden
sterilisation and degradation in a broad sense. reduction process are covered in 14-C-IV to 14-C-VI).
II Control of Molecular Contamination
Outgassing of materials, cleanliness monitoring techniques,
contamination transfer processes, effects on performance,
mitigation, surface contamination, … Laser-induced contamination,
photofixation of contamination.
III Control of Particulate Contamination
Contamination transfer processes, effects on performance,
mitigation, protection, cleanroom monitoring.
IV Control of Bio-Corrosion, Biocides, Plasma Corrosion etc.
Degradation of materials interacting with an atmosphere, including
degradation resulting from an inhabited atmosphere.
V Contamination Modelling and Lifetime Prediction of Material
Behaviour
Modelling and lifetime prediction of the interaction of
materials/environment with contamination (ground/space
environment).
D Ground and Space Environmental Effects I Interaction of Materials with the Space Environment
on Materials and Processes Electromagnetic radiation from EUV to FIR, X-rays, particle
Analyses of interactions between materials and radiation, vacuum, atomic oxygen, charging, contamination,
both ground and space environment to ensure synergistic effects, dust & particles, planetary gases, etc.
safety and performance-related requirements. II Interaction of Materials with the Ground Environment
(long term) Storage, logistics, corrosion, swelling, creep.
III Interaction of Materials with the Inhabited Environment
Safety- and performance-related issues affecting the inhabited
environment such as toxicity, flammability, etc.

55
 56
TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
24 Materials and Manufacturing E Modelling of Materials Behaviour and I Microstructural and Nanostructural Characterisation of
Processes (cont.) Properties Materials
Modelling, characterisation, analysis and Qualitative and quantitative analyses of material micro- and nano-
testing of materials behaviour and properties. structure surface topography, porosity, defects and interfaces.
II Modelling of Thermomechanical Processes of Materials
including Lifetime Predictions
Methods developed to represent physical processes of materials at
operative length and time scales.
III Characterisation, Modelling and Testing of Fracture Mechanics
Development of models, methods and tests to identify a material
fracture behaviour.
IV Thermal Analysis of Materials
All characterisation activities of the functional properties of materials
from cryogenic to reentry/launcher temperatures. This includes
demisability aspects of materials.
V Topological Optimisation
Methods to optimise material layout within a given design space, for
a given set of loads, boundary conditions and constraints, in order
to maximize the performance of the system.
F Non-Destructive Inspection
Development of test and verification methods.

G Material and Process Obsolescence I Regulation and Legislation-based Obsolescence

Analyses of materials or manufacturing Materials and manufacturing process availability and limitations due
processes obsolescence due to regulation or to environmental regulations and export regulations (e.g. REACH,
availability. RoHS, etc.).
II Scarce Materials
Production stop, bankruptcy, etc.

ESA STM-277 4th ed.

 ESA STM-277 4th ed.
TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
24 Materials and Manufacturing H Materials for Electronic Assembly I Printed Circuit Board Technologies
Processes (cont.) Materials and verification methods involved in Technologies and methods involved in the manufacture and
electronic assemblies. evaluation of printed circuit boards.
II Electronic Assemblies Technologies
Technologies and methods involved in the development and
verification of components and interconnections mounted on printed
circuit boards and harness.
III Verification of Electronic Assemblies
Test and verification methods for electronic assemblies.
I Advanced Manufacturing Technologies I Composites Manufacturing
Manufacturing technologies that bring added Manufacturing technologies of polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix
value compared to traditional manufacturing composites, including nano-technologies such as CNT, graphene as
such as lead-time reduction, cost reduction, well as other nano-engineered materials.
performance improvement, design freedom, or II Additive Manufacturing
enable new capabilities. Additive manufacturing processes for metals, polymers, and
ceramic materials. Technologies for manufacturing on-ground, in-
orbit, and on moon or planetary bodies (including ISRU).
III Materials Functionalisation
Establishment of functional gradients (e.g. 4D printing), adding
function and performance through coatings (e.g. ALD, PVD, CVD)
(together with 24-B-II), electrostructural composites, inclusion of
response stimulus and sensing (e.g. embedded sensors).
IV In-line Process Monitoring
Auxiliary processes targeting in-line and in-situ monitoring of
process and performance parameters.
V Intelligent Manufacturing Processes
Manufacturing subsystems with full capability for process
monitoring, real-time communication and cooperation, and
intelligent decision making.
(Note24-I-V-1: Complementary to 8-B-I, 8-B-II, and 8-B-III)

57
 58
TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
24 Materials and Manufacturing I Advanced Manufacturing Technologies VI Advanced Materials Manufacture
Processes (cont.) (cont.) Manufacturing aspects related foams, sol-gel processed materials,
near-net-shape processing route, PVD & CVD processes,
nanotechnology aspects of materials, bioinspired materials and
structures, etc.
(Note24-I-VI-1: aspects related to use of functional gradients in
materials processes are covered under 24-I-III)
J Reliability and Reusability Aspects of I Advanced Physical & Chemical Characterisation and Analysis
Materials of Materials
Development of test and methods for materials Advanced technologies and methods to characterise and analyse
characterisation and verification, addressing materials: electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman
reliability and reusability. spectroscopy etc.
(Note 24-J-1: Technologies related to All types II Advanced Testing & Qualification and Validation Approaches
of NDI and NDE methods to assess reliability & of Materials
quality aspects are covered in 20-F-I). Test methods and approaches to qualify and validate materials
against specific reliability requirements.
25 Quality, Dependability and Safety A System Dependability and Safety I Dependability and Safety Methods & Tools
Quality, reliability, availability, Reliability, availability, maintainability and Methods and tools to achieve mission success and hazard control.
maintainability and safety aspects safety of the entire space system. II Technical Risk Management Techniques
of space and ground systems and Identification, evaluation, mitigation and acceptance of risks.
their constituents (hardware,
B Software Quality I Software Process Quality Techniques
software and the human element),
Quality of the software development process Techniques to assure the quality of the software development
including design, manufacture,
and the resulting software products. process.
assembly, integration, testing.
Methods and tools for the II Software Product Quality Techniques
assessment and management of Evaluation and certification of the quality of the software products.
technical risks associated with III Software Security Process Assurance
space systems and their operations. Techniques for software security process assurance.
Design, 58anufacture and C Product and Quality Assurance I Product Assurance Processes for Space and Ground
qualification engineering processes Methods and processes to ensure compliance Subsystems
to ensure the possibility of utilising of products delivered to customers with quality Coordination and integration of PA disciplines (QA, safety,
partial or full COTS (sub-) systems. requirements. dependability, EEE parts, materials, mechanical parts, processes,
software PA), auditing, critical items, configuration management,

ESA STM-277 4th ed.

alerts, document and data control, non-conformance control and
quality records.
 ESA STM-277 4th ed.
TD TECHNOLOGY DOMAIN TS TECHNOLOGY SUBDOMAIN TG TECHNOLOGY GROUP
25 Quality, Dependability and Safety C Product and Quality Assurance (cont.) II Quality Assurance Processes for Space and Ground
(cont.) Subsystems
Assurance of design, manufacture, assembly, integration, testing,
procurement, recurring production, training, inspections, traceability
and standards.
III Product and Quality Assurance Aspects of Commercial Off-
The-Shelf (COTS) Subsystems
Assurance of design, manufacture, AIT, procurement, testing,
traceability and standards specific for commercial off-the-shelf
subsystems.
IV Product and Quality Assurance Processes for Small Satellites
Assurance of design, manufacture, AIT, procurement and standards
specific for small satellites and related applications.
D Commercial Off-The-Shelf Components and I COTS Technologies Reference Design
Subsystems Development of reference designs based on COTS technologies for
Subsystems partly or fully based on COTS space applications.
technologies for payload and platform data II COTS Technologies Mitigation Techniques
system applications. Development of mitigation techniques enabling utilisation of COTS
Development of reference design based on technologies in the launch and space environment. Mitigation
COTS technologies for space applications; techniques at component, subsystem and system level.
development of mitigation techniques enabling
III COTS Components and Subsystems Characterisation and
utilisation of COTS technologies in Space and
Evaluation
launch environment.
Characterisation and evaluation of COTS components and
It covers also characterisation and evaluation
subsystems including the development of associated
of COTS subsystems including development of
methodologies.
associated technologies.

26 OTHERS
Please contact the TEC-H office at ESTEC if you need to include additional technologies not covered in this document.

59
60 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Appendix A – Differences between Technology Tree 3.0 and 4.1

Issue 4.1 of the Technology Tree (TT) now contains:
• 26 TDs (26 in issue 3.0, 26 in issue 2.1)
• 107 TSs (107 in issue 4.0.101 in issue 3.0, 92 in issue 2.1)
• 346 TGs (343 in issue 4.0, 320 in issue 3.0, 274 in issue 2.1)
An outline of the changes introduced in this latest revisions is as follows:
TT 4.0:
• 48 items have been added
• 240 items have an updated title and/or description
• 10 items have been moved inside the TT
• 3 items have been deleted
• 2 entries have been split in two separate entries
TT 4.1
• 4 items have been added
• 10 updates of title and/or descriptions.

In more detail, the major changes that have been introduced in issues 4.0 and 4.1 are:
➢ Machine Learning Techniques and AI have been introduced in On-board Data Subsystems
(TD1) within a dedicated TS.
➢ Artificial Intelligence and Data Security have been introduced in Space System Software
(TD2).
➢ Space Debris (TD11) has been detailed, adding new TGs and a new TS on ‘Debris
Remediation and Protection’.
➢ Processing and Production of in-situ resources has been moved from Life and Physical
Sciences (TD14) to Environmental Control & Life Support (ECLS) and In Situ Resource
Utilisation (ISRU) (TD23).
➢ ‘Optical Communications’ has been moved from Optics (TD16) to Optoelectronics (TD17),
creating a dedicated TS.
➢ ‘Quantum Technologies’ has been detailed in Optoelectronics (TD17), creating new TGs in
a specific new TS.
➢ TD18 has been changed from ‘Aerothermodynamics’ to ‘Fluid Mechanics’ in amendment
4.1 (after being already updated to ‘Fluid Dynamics’ in release 4.0) to enlarge the coverage
of the Domain, and has undergone extensive restructuring and rewriting.
➢ Specific TSs on ‘Advance Manufacturing Technologies’ and ‘Reliability and ‘Reusability of
Materials’ have been introduced in Materials and Manufacturing Processes (TD24) which
has undergone major rewriting.
➢ Commercial Off-the-Shelf components have been introduced in Quality, Dependability and
Safety (TD25), creating new TGs and a dedicated TS.
➢ Several new TGs have been created in Space Systems Electrical Power (TD3),
Electromagnetic Technologies and Techniques (TD7), System Design and Verification
(TD8), Mechanisms (TD15), Optics (TD16) and Electrical, Electronic and Electro-
mechanical (EEE) Components and Quality (TD23).
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 61
62 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

The following table provides a mapping matrix from entries in issue 4.1 to entries in issue 3.0.

TT 3.0 Type of change TT 4.0 / TT 4.1

2-A-I: Advanced Software Group deleted Advanced software methods

Development Methods and related to Machine Learning
Tools are moved under 1-D-II
(new group)
Advanced Software
methods related to Artificial
Intelligence are now
covered under the NEW 2-
A-I
Other generic developments
shall be considered directly
under subdomain 2-A

3-B-III: Nuclear and Thermo- Group split into 3-B-III: 3-B-III now covers content
Electric Power Generator Nuclear Fission Reactor limited to fission; 3-B-IV
Technologies Technologies and 3-B-IV: content is limited to natural
Radioisotope Power decay of isotopes
Technologies

3-D: Power Conditioning and Removed 3-A now covers the content
Distribution

3-D-I: Power Conditioning Moved 3-A-I

3-D-II: Specific Power Moved 3-A-II

Supplies

3-D-III: Power Distribution Moved 3-A-III

11-C: Debris Environment Subdomain split into 11-C: 11-C covers aspects related
Remediation and Protection Debris Mitigation and 11-D: to debris mitigation while
Debris Remediation and 11-D content is limited to
Protection remediation (including
removal) and protection

14-D: Applied Physical Removed 22-B now covers the

Science Technology content

14-D-I: Processing and Moved 22-B-IV

Production

15-H-VI: Development of New Moved 15-A-VIII

Devices for Future Exploration
and Exploitation Missions

16-C-VI: Optical Moved 17-D (now Subdomain)

Communications
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 63

TT 3.0 Type of change TT 4.0 / TT 4.1

17-C-V: Quantum Devices Moved 17-E-I

24-B-IV: Advanced Materials Moved 24-I-VI

Manufacturing
64 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Appendix B – Detailed Change Log

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

Text modified with the addition of:

1- “Hardware-Software co-design,
TT01 Changed
C-I space use of reprogrammable
FPGAs”
Group removed and replaced by
2-A- the group “Software Autonomy
TT02 Removed
I and Artificial Intelligence” (2-A-I)
cf. TT39

2-A- Change of title to “Software

TT03 Changed
II functions”;

Change of text to: Functions that

are implemented in software such
as: application functions (data
handling, thermal management,
power management, AOCS,
security etc.); supporting
functions (operating systems,
separations kernels, middleware,
2-A-
TT04 Changed etc.).
II
Includes other advanced software
functions such as parallel
computing.
(Note 2-A-II-1: This includes also
predevelopment for applications
indicated in TD1-A-III)
(Note 2-A-II-2: Coverage of
Autonomy is under to 2-A-I)

2-B- Change of title to: “Software

TT05 Changed
II Management Process”

Change of description: Covering all

aspects related to navigation
6-B-
TT08 Changed space (reference) receivers, and
III
related algorithms and
technologies

6-B-
TT09 Changed Change of Title to “RF Metrology”
IV

Change of description: All aspects

6-B- related to high accuracy RF
TT10 Changed
IV metrology , including algorithm
technology and tools.
Description changed with the
addition of: “Including power
subsystem architecture,
topologies, sizing, modelling and
TT11 3-A- Changed
simulation tools and techniques.
Includes power conversion,
regulation, control and
distribution.”
Content Moved to the new group 3-
3- A-I/Power Conditioning and
TT12 Moved 3-A-I
D-I description modified to “PCDUs,
SAR, BDRs, BCRs, DC/DC
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 65

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

converters, control circuits,

control techniques, digital control
techniques”

3- Content moved to the new group 3-

TT13 Moved 3-A-II
D-II A-II/Specific Power Supplies
3- Content moved to the new group 3-
TT14 Moved 3-A-III
D-III A-III/Power Distribution
Split in 3-B-III/Nuclear fission
3-B- reactor technologies and new 3-B-III &
TT15 Split
III group 3-B-IV/Radioisotope power 3-B-IV
technologies
New group: “GNC technologies for
TT16 5-B- New 5-B-V
Launch Vehicles”
Moved to 22-B-IV and Title changed
14-
TT17 Moved to “ISRU Processing and 22-B-IV
D-I
Production”
19- Include “green propellants” in the
TT18 Changed
D-III description
19- Change in title to “other propulsion
TT19 Changed
C- subsystems”
19- Description changed to include
TT20 Changed
A- micropropulsion and space tugs
Description changed to include
19- micropropulsion and orbital
TT21 Changed
B- stages/tugs (in place of a more
generic “upper stage”)
Title of the domain changed to
TT22 24-- Changed “Materials and Manufacturing
Processes”
24- New group: “Topological
TT25 New 24-E-V
E- Optimisation”
Split in Debris Mitigation and
11- 11-C &
TT26 Split Debris Remediation and
C- 11-D
Protection
11- Content moved to 11-D-I/Space
TT27 Moved 11-D-I
C-II Debris Environment Remediation
Content moved to 11-D-
11-
TT28 Moved II/Protection against Debris and 11-D-II
C-III
Meteoroids
11-
TT29 New New group: “Design for Demise” 11-C-II
C-
11-
TT30 New New group: “Passive Reentry” 11-C-III
C-
11- New group: “Passivation
TT31 New 11-C-IV
C- Technologies”
11-
TT32 New New group: “Design for Removal” 11-D-III
D-
11- New group: “In-Orbit Contactless
TT33 New 11-D-IV
D- Debris Removal”
New subdomain: “Flexible Capture
TT35 15-- New 15-I
Mechanisms”
66 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

13- Added in the description “[…] and

TT36 Changed
A-II refuelling”
Added in the description “drag
augmentation devices” and
20- addition of the “Note 20-C-1: system
TT37 Changed
C- level and design aspects of drag
augmentation devices for reentry
applications are covered in 11-C-III”
Note 19-C-IV-1 added: “Note 19-C-
19- IV-1: system level and design
TT38 C- Changed aspects of tether subystems for
IV reentry applications are covered in
11-C-III”
New group: “Software Autonomy
TT39 2-A- New 2-A-I
and Artificial Intelligence”
Description updated mentioning
1-A-
TT40 Changed explicitly “big data” and
I
“compressing sensing”
Description updated mentioning
1-A-
TT41 Changed explicitly “big data” and
III
“compressing sensing”
Rephrased “large data” with “big
2-
TT42 Changed data”; mention of preservation
D-I
and retrieval
Mention of intelligence, data
2-
TT43 Changed retrieval, data analytics and
D-II
visualisation tools
2- New group: Technologies for Data
TT44 New 2-D-III
D- Security, Openness and Privacy
Moved and title changed to
“Quantum Device, Metrology and
17-
TT46 Moved Sensing” 17-E-I
C-V
Description improved to include
Quantum Detectors
New subdomain “quantum
TT47 17-- New 17-E
technologies”
17- New group: “Quantum
TT48 New 17-E-II
E- Communication”
17- New group: Quantum Information
TT50 New 17-E-III
E- Processing and Simulations
6-A- Text changed: Quantum Key
TT51 Changed
V Distribution (with TD17-E-II)
New group: System Level Aspects
8-A-
TT52 New of Avionics Embedded 8-A-III
III
Subsystems
Description changed with the
24- addition of: Material properties
TT54 Changed
A-I assessment for Additive
Manufacturing processes
Description changed with the
addition of: “…and metamaterial
7-A-
TT55 Changed antennas. Manufacturing
II
techniques and technologies of
reflector and lens antennas”
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 67

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

Description changed with the

addition of: “…Fully electronic or
hybrid array feed networks.” and
7-A-
TT56 Changed “It also covers manufacturing
III
techniques and technologies of
array antennas and standalone
radiators”
Description changed with the
addition of: “calibration (both
active and passive), focal plane
7-A-
TT57 Changed arrays and front-ends (including
IV
direct detectors, mixers,
multipliers, LO chain) and back-
ends.”
Description changed with the
addition of: “...(e.g. for multi-beam
payloads or security aspects” and
7-A- “...and at operational conditions,
TT58 Changed
V feed networks (active and
passive), interactions between
antennas, millimetre-wave and THz
antennas and feed networks,”
16-
Title changed to: “Optical
TT59 B- Changed
Mounting Technology”
IV
Description changed to: “Covers
16- the design and development of
TT60 B- Changed stable optical mountings
IV (component mounting and
alignment technologies).
16- Addition of the note: (Note 16-B-IV-
TT61 B- Changed 1: optical benches are covered in
IV 20-B-II”)
Description changed with the
addition of: “Includes design,
materials and manufacturing
20- technologies for stable, compact,
TT62 Changed
B-II lightweight optical benches
operating at room temperature,
but also down to cryogenic
temperatures”
Addition of the note: (Note 20-B-II-1:
20-
TT63 Changed optical mounting technologies are
B-II
covered in 16-B-IV”)
Content moved to new subdomain
17-D/Optical Communication
16-
Technologies
TT64 C- Moved 17-D
description modified: removed
VI
quantum communication part from
description and reference added.
New subdomain “Optical
TT65 17-- New 17-D
Communications Technologies”
16- New group: “Optical Ground
TT66 New 16-C-VI
C- Support Equipment”
68 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

Description changed to: “Including

development, manufacture and
testing of all type of coatings
such as paints, conformal
coatings,
24-
TT67 Changed organic/inorganic/metallic
B-II
coatings, thermo-optical
coatings, thermal control
materials, optical materials, sol-
gel coatings, ALD, oxidation
protection, finishes”
Description changed to: “Modelling
and lifetime prediction of the
24- interaction of
TT68 Changed
C-V materials/environment with
contamination (ground/space
environment).”
Title changed to: “Ground and
24-
TT69 Changed Space Environmental Effects on
D-
Material and Processes”
Description changed to: “Covering
24- issues such as (long term)
TT70 Changed
D-II storage, logistics, corrosion,
swelling, creep.”
Description changed to: “Covers all
characterisation activities of the
24- functional properties of materials
TT71 E- Changed from cryogenic to
IV reentry/launcher temperatures.
This includes demisability
aspects of materials”
New subdomain: Reliability and
TT72 24-- New 24-J
Reusability Aspects
New group: Advanced Physical
TT73 24-- New and Chemical Characterisation & 24-J-I
Analysis of Materials
New group: Advanced Testing,
TT74 24-- New Qualification and Validation 24-J-II
approaches of Materials
New subdomain: Advanced
TT75 24-- New 24-I
Manufacturing Technologies
New group: Composites
TT76 24-- New 24-I-I
Manufacturing
New group: Additive
TT77 24-- New 24-I-II
Manufacturing
New group: Materials
TT78 24-- New 24-I-III
Functionalisation
New group: In-Line Process
TT79 24-- New 24-I-IV
Monitoring
New group: Intelligent
TT80 24-- New 24-I-V
Manufacturing Process
Group moved to 24-I-VI/Advanced
24- Materials Manufacture and
TT81 B- Moved description updated: removed the 24-I-VI
IV functional gradients (now covered
under the new group 24-I-III, note
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 69

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

added) and bioinspired materials

added

TS name changed to “Power

TT82 3-A- Changed
Electronics”
Title changed to
6-A- “Telecommunication Subsystem
TT83 Changed
I and System Concepts and
Engineering Tools”
TG name changed to “Navigation
6-B-
TT84 Changed Subsystems and Engineering
I
Tools”
6-B- TG name changed to “Navigation
TT85 Changed
II Ground and user Equipment”
6- TG name changed to “TT&C
TT87 Changed
C-I Subsystem and Tools”
Description changed to: “Covering
all aspects related to TT&C
subsystems (coding, modulation,
6-
TT88 Changed multiplexing, link analysis,
C-I
interference, security) and
subsystem analysis tools and
methodologies”
Description changed to:
“Technologies to provide torque
or force: e.g. electromagnetic
15- motors, voice coils, piezo motors,
TT89 Changed
A-I smart material actuators (e.g.
shape memory alloy,
electroactive polymer, spring
actuators, paraffin actuators.”
Description changed to: “e.g.
position sensors (potentiometers,
15-
optical encoders, resolvers,
TT90 A- Changed
capacitive sensors, Hall sensors,
IV
etc.) switches, strain gauge
sensors, accelerometers.”
Description changed to:
“Technologies providing linear or
rotational guiding functions (e.g.
15- ball and roller bearings, journal
TT91 Changed
A-V bearings, magnetic bearings,
magnetic gears, ball joints,
flexible guides and compliant
mechanisms).”
Description changed to:
“Technologies whose function is
to transfer an electrical signal
15-
between two parts in relative
TT92 A- Changed
motion, with or without contact
VII
(e.g. slip rings, roll rings, cable
wrap, twist capsules, contactless
electrical transfer technologies).”
Description changed to:
15- “Technologies providing a
TT93 Changed
F-II specific material surface
tribological performance (e.g.
70 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

coatings, surface/heat
treatment).”

Description changed to: “Specific

engineering disciplines involved
in the design and development of
space mechanisms (e.g.
15- motorisation sizing, micro-
TT94 Changed
G-I vibration analysis, functional
tolerance budgets, multi-body
dynamic analysis, tribology,
design to demise, operations in
cryogenic environment).”
Description changed to: “Specific
tools used to support the design
and development of space
mechanisms (e.g. bearing sizing
15- software, multi-body dynamic
TT95 Changed
G-II analysis software, close-loop
control and micro-vibration
analysis, tribology tools, Gear
analysis tools, Electromagnetic
analysis).”
15- Title changed to: “Thermite and
TT96 Changed
H-II gas generation technologies”
Description changed to: “Cover
applications of thermite heating
to provide connection,
15-
TT97 Changed disconnection, release, joining,
H-II
demising. Covers also provision
of oxygen for life and other gases
for pressure functions.”
15-
TT98 H- Moved Group moved 15-A-VIII
VI
Description changed to: “Covers
the development of efficient
5- techniques and tools for design
TT99 Changed
C-II analysis and verification.
Includes also adaptive and
collaborative controls.”
Subdomain removed; Technology
3- Groups under it, moved to 3-
TT100 Removed
D- A/Power Electronics (see TT12,
TT13, TT14)
Title changed to “Space Systems
TT101 3-- Changed
Electrical Power”
new group: “Energy Harvesting
TT102 3-B- New 3-B-V
Technologies”
Title changed to “Space Systems
TT103 4-- Changed
Environments and Effects”
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 71

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

Description changed to: “Both

spacecraft TT&C/PDM techniques
and technologies, space link
communications (RF, hybrid
RF/optical subsystems, signal
6-
TT104 Changed coding/modulation, ranging
C-
techniques, radio science
experiments) and proximity links,
as well as launcher TM”
Note 6-C-1 added :”RF
Technologies are covered in 6-E”
Description changed to: “Covers
10- pre-flight mission design,
TT105 Changed
A-I trajectory optimisation and
launch window calculations.”
Description changed to: “Includes
propulsion subsystem design
tools, thruster and engine
19- performance and life prediction
TT106 Changed
D-I tools, propulsion
subsystem/space vehicle
interaction tools and related
orbit/trajectory definition tools.”
Description changed to: “Including
metallic and composite tanks,
20- interfaces to primary structure,
TT107 Changed
G-II common bulkheads, HMS, NDI,
damage tolerance approaches,
etc.”
New group: “Power Subsystems
TT108 3-A- New 3-A-IV
Architecture”
Title changed to: “TT&C and
6-
TT109 Changed Payload Data Transmitter (PDT)
C-
Subsystems “
Title changed to: “High-Speed
6- Downlink PDT” and EO changed to
TT110 Changed
C-V “Remote Sensing” in the
description
Title changed to: “Payload
6-
TT111 Changed Architecture and Engineering
D-I
Tools”
Description changed to: “Advanced
simulation tools and analysis
6-
TT112 Changed paradigms for complex payloads
D-I
for Telecom/Remote
Sensing/Navigation.”
6- Title changed to: “Remote Sensing
TT113 Changed
D-III Instruments”
Description changed to: “Remote
Sensing instruments both
6-
TT114 Changed passive (e.g. radiometers,
D-III
GNSS-R) and active (e.g. SAR,
altimeters, RF sounding).”
72 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

Description changed to: “Design

and analysis tools for RF
equipments, components and
technologies including RF design
6-E-
TT115 Changed and analysis and high power
I
phenomena prediction (e.g.
Multipaction, Corona, power
handling and passive
intermodulation).”
Description changed to: “Design,
specification, development and
characterisation of active devices
(e.g. diodes, transistors, mixers,
multipliers, integrated circuits)
6-E- and passive devices (e.g. filters,
TT116 Changed
III resonators, MEMS devices, RF
switches, couplers,
combiners/splitters, circulators,
isolators, cables and
connectors), including packaging
and interconnection.”
Description changed to: “RF
equipment and components,
6-E-
TT117 Changed including for high-power, passive
VI
intermodulation, corona and
multipactor testing.”
Description changed to: “Covering
modelling of wave interactions
for passive and active microwave
and optical remote sensing of
7-B- atmosphere, surface and
TT118 Changed
I subsurface features of Earth and
planets. Retrieval algorithms.
Related retrieval and correction
algorithms, performance models
and data processing.”
New group: “Upscreening
23-
TT119 New Commercial Off The Shelf 23-A-VI
A-
Components (COTS)”

TT120 23-- Changed Note 23-1 removed

New group: “Advanced

Manufacturing of EEE
23- Components” and addition of the
TT121 New 23-B-X
B- note (Note 23-B-X-1:manufacturing-
process aspects are covered in 24-
I).
New subdomain: “Machine
Learning and Artificial
TT122 1-- New 1-D
Intelligence for On-board Data
Subsystems”
20- New group: “Descent
TT125 New 20-G-V
G- subsystems”.
New group: “Product and Quality
25- Assurance Aspects of
TT126 New 25-C-III
C- Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS)
Subsystems”
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 73

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

New group: “Product and Quality

25-
TT127 New Assurance Processes for Small 25-C-IV
C-
Satellites”
Title changed to: “Remote sensing
TT128 2-E- Changed
payload data transmission”
Title changed to “Space (sub-)
20-
TT129 Changed systems Design and Design
A-I
Tools”
Title changed to: “Frequency &
6-E-
TT130 Changed Time Generation and Distribution
V
for Space Applications”
Note 6-E-V-2 added (“Reference
6-E-
TT131 Changed signals required for ground
V
applications are covered in 12-A-V”)
Title changed to: “Frequency &
12-
TT132 Changed Time Generation and Distribution
A-V
for Ground Applications”
Description changed to: “Control-
related aspects and
5-A- implementation (with TD2 and
TT133 Changed
II TD9-B), including AI applications
to space systems autonomy and
enhanced FDIR.”
Description changed to: “Concepts
for automation, autonomy and
9-B-
TT134 Changed mission planning of ground data
II
systems and spacecraft
operations.”
Description changed to:
“Automation of flight dynamics
10- operations, advanced modules of
TT135 Changed
A-III FD application SW and advanced
operational processes (including
intelligence). “
Description changed to: “Quality,
reliability, availability,
maintainability and safety
aspects of space and ground
systems and their constituents
(hardware, software and the
human element), including
design, manufacture, assembly,
integration, testing . It also
TT136 25-- Changed addresses Methods and tools for
the assessment and management
of technical risks associated with
space systems and their
operations.
Design, manufacture and
qualification engineering
processes to ensure the
possibility of utilising partial or
full COTS (sub-) systems. “
New subdomain: “Commercial Off
TT137 25-- New the Shelf Components and 25-D
Subsystems”
New group: “COTS Technologies
TT138 25-- New 25-D-I
Reference Design”
74 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

New group: “COTS Technologies

TT139 25-- New 25-D-II
Mitigation Techniques”
New group: “COTS Components
TT140 25-- New and Subsystems 25-D-III
Characterisation and Evaluation”
Note 1-C-1 added (“design aspects
1-
TT141 Changed of COTS subsystems are covered in
C-
TD 25-D”)
Title changed to “On-board Data
TT142 1-- Changed
Subsystems”
1-B- Title changed to “On-board Data
TT143 Changed
I Management Subsystem”
1-B- Title changed to “On-board Data
TT144 Changed
III Storage”
1- Title changed to “Methodologies
TT145 Changed
C-I for Microelectronics”
1- New group “Machine Learning for
TT147 New 1-D-I
D- On-board Data Subsystems”
New group “Characterisation and
1-
TT148 New Evaluation of Machine Learning 1-D-II
D-
Techniques”
Title changed to “Software
TT149 2-A- Changed
Technologies”
2- Title changed to “Ground Data
TT150 Changed
D-I Archiving Subsystems”
2- Title changed to “Ground Data
TT151 Changed
D-II Analytical Processing”
Title changed to “Remote Sensing
2-E-
TT152 Changed Data and Information Processing
I
and Exploitation”
2-E- Title changed to “Remote Sensing
TT153 Changed
II Applications and Services”
Title changed to “Remote Sensing
2-E-
TT154 Changed Information Subsystems and
III
User Interfaces”
Title changed to “Remote Sensing
2-E-
TT155 Changed Core Infrastructure and
IV
Architectures”

TT156 3-B- Changed Description added

3-B-
TT157 Changed Description added
II
3-B-
TT158 Changed Description added
III
3-
TT159 Changed Description added
C-
3-
TT160 Changed Description added
C-I
3- Title changed to “Mechanical
TT161 Changed
C-II Technologies for Energy Storage”
3-
TT162 Changed Description added
C-II
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 75

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

4-A- Title changed to “In-flight

TT163 Changed
II Environments Monitoring”
4-B- Title changed to “Environments
TT164 Changed
I Effects Analysis Tools”
Title changed to “Space Weather
4-
TT165 Changed Modelling Development and IT
C-I
Infrastructure”
Title changed to “Control (Sub-)
TT166 5-A- Changed
Systems Engineering”
Title changed to “Control (Sub-)
TT167 5-B- Changed Systems Innovative
Technologies”
5- Title changed to “Control
TT168 Changed
C-I Modelling Techniques”
5- Title changed to “Multidisciplinary
TT169 Changed
C-III GNC Optimisation”
Title changed to “RF Subsystems,
TT170 6-- Changed
Payloads and Technologies”
Title changed to
TT171 6-A- Changed “Telecommunication
Subsystems”
Title changed to
6-A-
TT172 Changed “Telecommunication Signal
II
Processing”
Title changed to
6-A-
TT173 Changed “Telecommunication Networking
III
Techniques”
6-A- Title changed to
TT174 Changed
IV “Telecommunication Equipment”
Title changed to
6-A-
TT175 Changed “Telecommunication Security
V
Techniques and Technologies”
Title changed to “Radio Navigation
TT176 6-B- Changed
Subsystems”
6-B- Title changed to “On-board Radio
TT177 Changed
III Navigation Receivers”
6-E- Title changed to “RF Active and
TT178 Changed
III Passive Devices”
6-E- Title changed to “Vacuum
TT179 Changed
IV Electronics for RF Amplification”
Title changed to “Electromagnetic
7- and Radio Frequency
TT180 Changed
C- Compatibility (EMC/RFC) and
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)”
Title changed to “Multidisciplinary
8-B-
TT181 Changed Data Exchange for Collaborative
II
Engineering”
8- Title changed to “System Design
TT182 Changed
C-I and Simulation”
Title changed to “System
8- Verification and Assembly,
TT183 Changed
D- Integration and Test (AIT)” to be
more explicit
76 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

Title changed to “Advanced

TT184 9-A- Changed System and Mission Operation
Concepts”
Title changed to “Preparation and
9-
TT185 Changed Procedure Tools for Ground Data
C-II
Systems “
Title changed to “Microwave and
12-
TT186 Changed Optical Active/Passive
A-III
Subsystems”
13- Title changed to “Robotic
TT187 Changed
A- Applications and Concepts”
13- Title changed to “Planetary
TT188 Changed
A-I Robotic Exploration”
13- Title changed to “Orbital Robotic
TT189 Changed
A-II Systems”
Title changed to “Automation &
13-
TT190 Changed Robotics Systems and
B-
Subsystems”
13- Title changed to “Manipulation
TT191 Changed
B-I Robotic Subsystems”
13- Title changed to “Mobility Robotic
TT192 Changed
B-II Systems”
13- Title changed to “Payload
TT193 Changed
B-III Automation Subsystems”
13- Title changed to “Perception for
TT194 Changed
C-I Robots”
13- Title changed to “Motion and
TT195 Changed
C-III Actuation of Robots”
Title changed to “Sensors and
14-
TT196 Changed Analytical Instrumentation for
B-I
Physical Sciences “
Title changed to “Imaging
14- Diagnostics and Image Treatment
TT197 Changed
B-II Technologies for Physical
Sciences “
Title changed to “In-Situ
14-
TT198 Changed Resources Processing and
B-III
Production”
15- Title changed to “Mechanism
TT199 Changed
G-I Engineering Disciplines”
15- Title changed to “Mechanism
TT200 Changed
G-II Engineering Tools”
16- Title changed to “Optical
TT201 Changed
A- Subsystem Engineering”
Title changed to “Optical
16-
TT202 Changed Subsystem Definition, Design
A-I
and Engineering”
Description changed by adding
TT203 17-- Changed “Development and application...to
achieve given functions”
17- Removal of “Visible Detectors
TT204 Changed
B-I (mostly Si-based)” in the title
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 77

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

TT205 (superseded by TT 307 in TT 4.1) 18-- Changed Title changed to “Fluid Dynamics”

Description changed to
“Technologies and techniques
related to the flow of fluids:
gases, liquids, and plasma.
Composed of two sub-
disciplines: Aerothermodynamics
(gases and plasma) and
Hydrodynamics (liquids).
Aerothermodynamics is related
with the dynamics of gases and
plasma, its physical processes,
pressure and thermal fields and
TT206 18-- Changed
deals with the atmospheric
interactions with moving objects
at low or high speeds.
Hydrodynamics deals with the
study of liquids in motion inside
the propellant tanks of flight
vehicles and involves the
calculation of various properties
of fluid propellant, such as flow
velocity, pressure, density, and
temperature, as functions of
space and time”.
18- Title changed to “Fluid Dynamics
TT207 (superseded by TT 308 in TT 4.1) Changed
A- Tools and Techniques”
18- Title changed to “Engineering
TT208 (superseded by TT 310 in TT 4.1) Changed
A-II Techniques for Fluid Dynamics”
18- Title changed to “Multidisciplinary
TT209 (superseded by TT 311 in TT 4.1) Changed
A-III Techniques for Fluid Dynamics”
18- Title changed to “Dedicated
TT210 (superseded by TT 312 in TT 4.1) Changed
B-III Facilities for Fluid Dynamics”
Title changed to “Sensors and
18-
TT211 (superseded by TT 313 in TT 4.1) Changed Measurement Techniques for
C-
Fluid Dynamics”
Title changed to “Intrusive
18-
TT212 (superseded by TT 314 in TT 4.1) Changed Measurements for Fluid
C-I
Dynamics Applications”
Title changed to “Non-Intrusive
18-
TT213 (superseded by TT 315 in TT 4.1) Changed Measurements for Fluid
C-II
Dynamics Applications”
Title changed to “Wireless
18-
TT214 (superseded by TT 316 in TT 4.1) Changed Measurements for Fluid
C-III
Dynamics Applications”
Title changed to “Flight
18-
TT215 Changed Demonstrators and Flight Data
D-
Tools”
Title changed to “User Interface of
18-
TT216 Changed Flight Demonstrators & Data
D-I
Tools”
Title changed to “Informatics
18-
TT217 Changed Environment of Flight
D-II
Demonstrators & Data Tools”

TT218 19-- Changed Description added

78 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

19- Title changed to “Liquid

TT219 Changed
A-I Propulsion Subsystems”
19- Title changed to “Solid Propulsion
TT220 Changed
A-II Subsystems”
Title changed to “Air-Breathing
19-
TT221 Changed and Hybrid Propulsion
A-III
Subsystems”
19- Title changed to “Electrostatic
TT222 Changed
B-I Propulsion Subsystems”
19- Title changed to “Electrothermal
TT223 Changed
B-II Propulsion Subsystems”
19- Title changed to “Electromagnetic
TT224 Changed
B-III Propulsion Subsystems”
19- Title changed to “Solar Thermal
TT225 Changed
C-I Propulsion Subsystems”
19-
TT226 Changed Description added
C-I
19- Title changed to “Nuclear
TT227 Changed
C-II Propulsion Subsystems”
19-
TT228 Changed Description added
C-II
19- Title changed to “Solar Sailing
TT229 Changed
C-III Propulsion Subsystems”
19-
TT230 Changed Description added
C-III
19-
Title changed to “Tethered
TT231 C- Changed
Propulsion Subsystems”
IV
19-
TT232 C- Changed Description added
IV
19- Title changed to “Advanced
TT233 Changed
C-V Propulsion Concepts”
Description changed to
“Technologies and techniques
related to advanced, new, and
breakthrough concepts and ideas
19-
TT234 Changed such as anti-gravity subsystems,
C-V
air breathing propulsion , laser
beamed propulsion, Lorentz force
accelerators, cryosolids
propulsion, etc.”
19- Title changed to “Propulsion
TT235 Changed
D-I Subsystems Modelling”
Title changed to “Propulsion
19-
TT236 Changed Subsystems Testing and
D-II
Diagnostics”
Title changed to “Structural
20-
TT237 Changed Analysis Tools and
A-II
Methodologies”
Title changed to “High Stability
20-
TT238 Changed and High-Precision Spacecraft
B-
Structures”
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 79

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

Title changed to “Joining

20-
TT239 Changed Technologies For Inflatable and
C-III
Deployable Structures”
20-
Title changed to “Joining
TT240 D- Changed
Technologies for Hot Structures”
IV
Title changed to “Design and
20-
Verification Tools and
TT241 E- Changed
Methodologies for
IV
Active/Adaptative Structures”
20- Title changed to “EVA Suits and
TT242 Changed
H-II Mechanical Aspects”
20- Added description since no
TT243 Changed
J- description was provided
Title changed to “Design and
20-
TT244 Changed Verification for Advanced
J-I
Structures and Materials “
Description changed to be more
20-
TT245 Changed explicit : “Design and verification
J-I
methods for structures...”

TT246 21-- Changed Description added

21- Title changed to “Ablative

TT247 Changed
C-I Subsystems”
21- Title changed to “Reusable
TT248 Changed
C-II Subsystems”
21- Description changed to include
TT249 Changed
E- space subsystems
21- Description changed to include
TT250 Changed
E-I subsystem level of analysis
Title changed to “Environmental
22-
TT251 Changed Control & Life Support (ECLS)” to
A-
be more explicit
22- Title changed to “Habitability
TT252 Changed
A-III Technologies”
Title changed to “In Situ Resource
22-
TT253 Changed Utilisation (ISRU)” to be more
B-
explicit
22-
TT254 Changed Title changed to “ISRU Fuels”
B-II
22- Title changed to “ISRU Storage
TT255 Changed
B-III and Distribution “
Description changed to include
6-E-
TT256 Changed TWTAs, distribution networks and
II
front ends
Title changed to “Electrical,
Electronic and Electro-
TT257 23-- Changed
mechanical (EEE) Components
and Quality”
Title changed to: “Methods and
23- Processes for Product Assurance
TT258 Changed
A- of EEE Components, including
Radiation Hardness Assurance”
80 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

23- Title changed to “EEE Components

TT259 Changed
A-I Evaluation and Testing”
23- Title changed to “EEE Components
TT260 Changed
A-II Radiation Hardening”
23- Title changed to “EEE Components
TT261 Changed
A-III Design and Development”
Removal of a useless/redundant
23- part in the description “and capable
TT262 Changed
A-III of meeting space component
qualification requirements”
23-
Title changed to “EEE Components
TT263 A- Changed
Modelling”
IV
Title changed to “Radiation
23-
TT264 Changed Hardness Assurance (RHA)
A-V
Process”
23- Title changed to “Passive EEE
TT265 Changed
B-I Components”
23- Title changed to “Silicon-Based
TT266 Changed
B-II EEE Components”
Title changed to “RF Microwave
23-
TT267 Changed and Millimetre Wave EEE
B-III
Components”
23-
Title changed to “Power EEE
TT268 B- Changed
Components”
VI
23-
Title changed to “Micro Electro
TT269 B- Changed
Mechanical Subsystems (MEMS)”
VIII
24- Title changed to “Materials
TT270 Changed
B-III Characterisation and Feedback”
24-
TT271 Changed Description added
D-
24-
TT272 Changed Description added
E-
24-
TT273 Changed Description added
E-I
24-
TT274 Changed Description added
E-II
24-
TT275 Changed Description added
E-III
24-
TT276 Changed Description added
G-
24-
TT277 Changed Description added
H-
24-
TT278 Changed Description added
H-I
24- Title changed to “Electronic
TT279 Changed
H-II Assemblies Technologies”
24-
TT280 Changed Description added
H-II
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 81

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

25- Title changed to “Software

TT281 Changed
B-I Process Quality Techniques”
25- Title changed to “Software Product
TT282 Changed
B-II Quality Techniques”
25-
TT283 Changed Description added
C-
Title changed to “Product
25-
TT284 Changed Assurance Processes for Space
C-I
and Ground Subsystems”
Title changed to “Quality
25-
TT285 Changed Assurance Processes for Space
C-II
and Ground Subsystems”
Description changed to take data
TT286 1-A- Changed
security into account
1-A- Description changed to take data
TT287 Changed
II security into account
Description changed to take
TT288 1-B- Changed
security into account
2-E- Description changed to take data
TT289 Changed
I integrity into account
Description changed to include
TT290 4-A- Changed
potential threats
4-A- Description changed to include
TT291 Changed
II situational awareness sensors
7-B- Description changed to take
TT292 Changed
II interception models into account
“Security” added in the description
TT293 8-- Changed to complete the whole system
engineering process
“Security” added in the description
TT294 9-B- Changed since it can have an impact on
mission operations
Title changed to “Space
TT295 4-A- Changed
Environments” (-s added)
Title changed to “Environments
TT296 4-B- Changed
Effects” (-s added)
7-A- s added to the title “Antennas
TT297 Changed
I Design Tools”
Title changed to “Optical
16-
TT298 Changed Components Technology and
B-
Materials” (-s added)
Title changed to “Structural
20-
TT299 Changed Testing Tools and
A-III
Methodologies”
24-
TT300 Changed Description added
H-III
Description changed to
“Technologies and techniques
related to high-power RF
6-E-
TT301 Changed amplification using vacuum
IV
electronic technologies (e.g.
TWT, vacuum triodes and
transistors).”
82 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

Note 6-B-1 added in the description:

TT302 6-B- Changed “RF Technologies are covered in 6-
E”
1-B- Description changed to take
TT303 Changed
IV security into account
Description changed to: “All
aspects related to ground and
space navigation subsystems,
Signal in Space, simulators,
analysis tools and
6-B-
TT304 Changed methodologies. Techniques and
I
technologies to secure end-to-
end Navigation services.
Antispoofing and Antijamming
techniques” to account for
security aspects
Description changed to: “Covering
all aspects related to navigation
space (reference) receivers, and
6-B- related algorithms and
TT305 Changed
III technologies including security
aspects (antijamming and
antispoofing)” to account for
security aspects
Subdomain removed; Technology
14- Groups under it, moved to 22-B/In
TT306 Removed
D- Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU)
(see TT17)

TT307 (supersedes TT 205 in issue 4.1) 18-- Changed Title changed to “Fluid Mechanics”

18- Title changed to “Fluid Mechanics

TT308 (supersedes TT 207 in issue 4.1) Changed
A- Tools and Techniques”

18- Title changed to “Engineering

TT310 (supersedes TT 208 in issue 4.1) Changed
A-II Techniques for Fluid Mechanics”

18- Title changed to “Multidisciplinary

TT311 (supersedes TT 209 in issue 4.1) Changed
A-III Techniques for Fluid Mechanics”

18- Title changed to “Dedicated

TT312 (supersedes TT 210 in issue 4.1) Changed
B-III Facilities for Fluid Mechanics”

Title changed to “Sensors and

18-
TT313 (supersedes TT 211 in issue 4.1) Changed Measurement Techniques for
C-
Fluid Mechanics”
Title changed to “Intrusive
18-
TT314 (supersedes TT 212 in issue 4.1) Changed Measurements for Fluid
C-I
Mechanics Applications”
Title changed to “Non-Intrusive
18-
TT315 (supersedes TT 213 in issue 4.1) Changed Measurements for Fluid
C-II
Mechanics Applications”
Title changed to “Wireless
18-
TT316 (supersedes TT 214 in issue 4.1) Changed Measurements for Fluid
C-III
Mechanics Applications”
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 83

Ref.
Type of Ref. in
Change ID TT Change Description
Change TT 4.1
3.0

New Subdomain “Fluid Mechanics

TT317 18-- New 18-E
Hardware”

TT318 18-- New New Group “Filling and refilling” 18-E-I

New group “Fluid Mechanics

TT319 18-- New 18-E-II
Hardware Equipment”

25- New group “Software Security

TT320 New 25-B-III
B- Process Assurance”
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 85

Appendix C – Editorial Changes

List of Items with editorial changes (new reference in parenthesis, when available) - improved
descriptions, use of terminology in line with ECSS, typos, rephrasing, etc.
1-A 10-A-I, II, III 20-B
1-A-I, II, III 10-B 20-B-I, II, III
1-B 10-B-1 20-C-I, II, III
1-B-I, II, III, IV 11 20-D
1-C 11-A 20-D-I, II, III
2 11-B 20-D
2-A-II 11-C 20-D-I, II, III, IV, V
2-D 12 20-E
2-E-I, II, III, IV 12-A 20-E-I, II, II, IV
3 12-A-I, II, II, IV, V 20-F
3-A 12-B 20-F-I, II, III
3-B-I 12-B, I, II 20-G
4-A 13 20-G-I, II, III, IV
4-A-II 13-A 20-H
4-B 13-A-I, II 20-H-I, II
4-B-II 13-B 20-I
4-C 13-B-I, II, III 20-I-I
4-C-I 13-C 20-J-I
5 13-C-I, II, III, IV, V 21
5-A 14 21-A
5-A-I, II, III, IV, V 14-A 21-A-I, II, III, IV, V
5-B 14-A-I, II, III 21-B
5-B-I, II, III 14-B 21-B-I, II, III, IV
5-C 14-B-I, II, III 21-C
5-C-I, II 14-C 21-C-I, II
5-D 14-C-I, II, III, IV, V, VI 21-D
5-D-III 15-A-IV 21-D-I, II, III
6 15-H-VI (15-A-VIII) 21-E-I, II, III
6-A-I, II, III, IV, V 15-H 22
6-B 15-H-I, II, III, IV, V 22-A
6-B-I, II, III, IV 16 22-A-I, II, III, IV
6-C 16-A 21-B
6-C-I, II, III, IV, V 16-A-I, II 21-B-I, II, III
6-D 16-B-I, II, III, IV 14-D-I (21-B-IV)
6-D-I, II, III, IV 16-C-I, II, III, IV, V 23
6-E 17 23-A-I, III
6-E-I, II, III, IV, V, VI 17-A 23-B
7 17-A-I, II, IV, V 23-B-I
7-A 17-B 24
7-A-I, II, III, IV, V 17-B-I, II, III, IV 24-A
7-B 16-C-VI (17-D) 24-A-I
7-B-I, II 17-C-V (17-E-I) 24-B-I, II, III
7-C-I, II 18-A 24-C
8 18-B 24-C-III, IV
8-A 18-C 24-D-I, II, III
8-B-I, II, III 18-D 24-E-IV
8-C 18-D-II 24-F
8-C-I, II 19-A 24-G-I, II
8-D-I, II 19-A-I, II, III 24-B-IV (24-I-VI)
9 19-B 25
9-A 19-B-I, II, III 25-A
9-B 19-C 25-A-I, II
9-B-I, II, III 19-D 25-B
9-C 19-D-I, II, III, IV 25-B-I, II
9-C-I, III 20 25-C-I, II
10 20-A
10-A 20-A-I, II, III, IV
86 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

Appendix D – Acronyms
A&R Automation & robotics
AI Artificial intelligence
AIT Assembly, integration and test
AIV Assembly, integration and verification
ALD Atomic layer deposition
AOCS Attitude & orbit control system
APD Avalanche photodiode
APS Active pixel sensor
ASIC Application specific integrated circuits
ASSP Application specific standard products
BCR Battery charge regulator
BDR Battery discharge regulator
BEC Bose-Einstein condensate
CAD Computer-aided design
CCD Charge-coupled device
CDL Competence domain leader
CFD Computational fluid dynamics
CMG Control moment gyroscope
CMOS Complementary metal oxide semiconductor
CNT Carbon nanotube
COSPAR Committee on SPAce Research
COTS Commercial off-the-shelf
CPL Capillary pumped loop
CPT Coherent population trapping
CSOS Complex system of systems
CVD Chemical vapour deposition
CW Continuous wave
DC Direct current
DRS Data relay satellite
DSP Digital signal processor
EAP Electroactive polymer
ECLD External cavity laser diode
ECLS Environmental control & life support
EEE Electric, electromechanical & electronic
EGNOS European geostationary navigation overlay service
EGSE Electrical ground support equipment
EMC Electromagnetic compatibility
EPC Electronic power converter
ESD Electrostatic discharge
ESTEC ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre
ESTER European space technology requirements database
EUV Extreme ultraviolet
EVA Extra-vehicular activity
FD Flight dynamics
FDIR Fault detection, isolation and recovery
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 87

FIR Far-infrared
FOG Fibre-optic gyro
FPGA Field programmable gate array
GNC Guidance, navigation & control
GNSS Global navigation satellite system
GPS Global positioning system
GSE Ground support equipment
HCI Human computer interface
HEB Hot-electron bolometer
HMS Health monitoring system
HPA High-power amplifier
HRG Hemispherical resonator gyro
HVI High-velocity impact
I/O Input/output
IC Integrated circuit
IGBT Insulated gate bipolar transistor
IMU Inertial measurement unit
IP Intellectual property
IR Infrared
ISRU In situ resource utilisation
IT Information technology
LDA Laser-diode array
LED Light-emitting diode
LEO Low Earth orbit
LHP Loop heat pipe
LNA Low noise amplifier
LO Local oscillator
LOX Liquid oxygen
MCS Mission control systems
MCT Mercury cadmium telluride
MEMS Micro electro mechanical systems
MEO Medium Earth orbit
MMIC Monolithic microwave integrated circuit
MOEMS Micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems
MOS Metal oxide semiconductor
MOSFET Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor
NCO Numerically-controlled oscillator
Nd:YAG Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet
NDI Non-destructive inspection
NER Nuclear electrical rocket
NIR Near-infrared
NTR Nuclear thermal rocket
OSRC Optical stabilising reference cavities
PA Product assurance
PCDU Power control and distribution unit
PDM Payload data modulator
PDT Payload data transmitter
PDU Power distribution unit
88 ESA STM-277 4th ed.

PPU Power processing unit

PVD Physical vapour deposition
QA Quality assurance
QCL Quantum cascade lasers
QCW Quasi-continuous wave
QDIP Quantum dot infrared photodetector
QKD Quantum key distribution
QWIP Quantum well infrared photodetector
RE Rare Earth
REACH Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances
RF Radio frequency
RFC Radio frequency compatibility
RF-CMOS Radio frequency complementary metal oxide semiconductor
RHA Radiation hardness assurance
RoHS Restriction of hazardous substances
RTM Resin transfer moulding
RVD Rendezvous and docking
SAR Solar array regulator
SAR Synthetic aperture radar
SIM Security information management system
SINIS Superconductor/insulator/normal conductor/insulator/superconductor
SiPM Silicon photomultiplier
SOC System on a chip
SQUID Superconducting quantum interference device
SRC Stabilising reference cavity
SSPA Solid state power amplifier
SW Software
T2SL Type 2 superlattice
TCF TECNET Chairs Forum
TD Technology domain
TECNET Technology network
TG Technology group
TNL Thermal noise limit
TS Technology subdomain
TT Technology tree
TT&C Telemetry, tracking and command
TWT Travelling wave tube
TWTA Traveling-wave tube amplifier
UHT Ultra-high temperature
UV Ultraviolet
VCO Voltage-controlled oscillator
VCSEL Vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers
ESA STM-277 4th ed. 89
An ESA Production
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