Ireland – Astronomical and optical instruments – Procurement of a High-Precision Optical Ground Station (OGS) Telescope Unit for Uplink and Satellite Tracking

The Contracting Authority is seeking tenders for the procurement of a High-Precision Optical Ground Station (OGS) Telescope Unit for Uplink and Satellite Tracking. This procurement is being undertaken as part of Phase 2 of Ireland's QCI project (TransEuroOGS), co-funded by the European Commission Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the Irish Department of Culture, Communications, and Sport. The successful tenderer will be required to design, manufacture, and deliver a turnkey telescope unit encompassing the mount, optics, and control software, complying with strict technical and spatial constraints. Key Technical Requirements: Optical Configuration: Ritchey-Chretien (RC) optical design, f/10 to f/12 system, with a clear aperture of at least 700 mm. Low central obstruction is required (30 percent or lower diameter linear obstruction preferred, maximum allowable 34 percent or lower). Optical Coatings and Power Handling: Broad-spectrum reflectivity covering both visible wavelengths and the 1550 nm C-Band NIR telecommunication spectrum, biased for optimal performance at 1550 nm. Reflectance at 1550 nm must be at least 95 percent (protected gold or equivalent high-efficiency NIR coating acceptable). The secondary mirror (M2) and main aperture must handle a high-power launch beam of maximum 40W continuous wave at 1550 nm across the aperture or annulus (power density less than 3300 W per square metre on the primary mirror). Focusing Path and Clear Aperture: Must feature at least one Nasmyth focus port (more preferred). The Nasmyth focus path must be completely free of refracting optical elements (100 percent reflective optics only, with removable optics as an allowable deviation). Clear aperture path through the Nasmyth axis must be at least 60 mm diameter to support downstream Adaptive Optics relay systems. Mount and Dynamic Tracking Specifications: Alt-Azimuth Direct-Drive or equivalent performance mount with low-latency tracking dynamics supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tracking, including high-elevation passes over Zenith. Minimum Azimuth Slew Rate must be at least 5 degrees per second (faster preferred). Pointing and tracking accuracy must be less than 8 to 10 arcsec RMS during dynamic LEO passes. Fastest tracking rate must exceed 1 degree per second with fine range control below this speed. Envelope and Enclosure Compatibility: Total vertical height must not exceed 3000 mm from the base to ensure dome clearance. Maximum radial swing clearance envelope must be at most 1470 mm. The axis of elevation pivot height must ensure clearance at all pointing directions, with the pivot axis positioned no more than 155 mm below the centre of the clearance envelope (or at the centre or higher). Full CAD models and opto-mechanical layout files are mandatory upon contract award. Software, Control Interface and API: Native integration with standard open-source astronomical communication protocols (INDI / INDIGO) or ASCOM / ALPACA frameworks. Open, fully documented network API adaptable to HTTP/REST or WebSocket interfaces for automated robotic control, telemetry, and scriptable trajectory loading. Ethernet data interface and DC power supply preferred. Delivery Constraint: Unit delivery must be completed within 3 to 4 months maximum from contract signature. Please refer to the detailed Technical Specification document for full technical specifications, compliance matrices, and contractual terms.