LUNA Ramp System Moon Zeppelin

As part of a larger global vision for human-lunar exploration, DLR and ESA are jointly constructing a lunar analog facility, named LUNA. This facility shall provide capabilities for astronaut training, engineering, and scientific research to a wide range of users. As such, the facility is not limited to human-factors research but shall also support the development of robotic and lunar infrastructure systems for the exploration of the moon. The LUNA facility will support the simulation of lunar extravehicular activities (EVAs) at the highest possible fidelity. Therefore, all systems developed for such EVA simulations, including the ramp, shall be designed to operate to a high fidelity and in support of end-to-end EVAs which may take several hours to complete and involve a large group of operators, astronauts, and other ground support personnel. The facility contains a 700m2 regolith-filled lunar surface simulation-area. Within this area, the ramp will be an integral part of the simulation environment for human and robotic use alike. The purpose of the LUNA Ramp system, project name (and following referred to as) “Moon Zeppelin”, is to provide the LUNA facility with the unique capability of terraforming the moon surface depending on the need of the current user. It shall provide a tiltable surface that can be used to simulate different crater or mountain slopes for astronauts and rovers to train operations. With capabilities to configure different angles, it shall allow to train astronauts and test rovers (or other deployable systems) on how to operate in slopes with lunar regolith. This is a vital part of the lunar operations simulations. With the Acceptance Review (AR) concluded, the agency expects that the system will be fully functional and capable of operating in the LUNA hall performing its target activities. The work to be conducted as part of the contract is to develop, deliver, deploy, and achieve approval or certification (as required) on the proposed technical solution for the implementation of a Ramp system for LUNA. The contractor shall propose a solution that satisfies the requirements for a tiltable Ramp system within the scope of LUNA activities. For this, a project description and user requirements for the Moon Zeppelin are provided as a part of this Statement of Work. To this end the contractor shall submit a binding firm fix price offer for the delivery and installation of a fully functional Ramp as specified, together with an evaluation of conformity of this proposal with the stated requirements. At the end of the project, a fully approved/certified (where needed), turn-key system solution for the Ramp requirements for LUNA is foreseen. The requirements laid out in this document, as well as the testing and acceptance criteria will be used to determine the completion of milestones and subsequent payment milestones.