---
title: "T23/0048 - ALIGN Laser CubeSat UKSA NSIP Phase 3"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-03cd72"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03cd72"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03cd72.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03cd72.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE"
published: "2024-06-14"
---

# T23/0048 - ALIGN Laser CubeSat UKSA NSIP Phase 3

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-03cd72

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03cd72.json)

## Summary

The University of Northumbria at Newcastle is issuing a procurement for the completion of three 6U CubeSats as part of a technology demonstration mission funded by the UK Space Agency. The mission involves launching two 6U CubeSats into a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit with the goal of demonstrating inter-satellite laser optical communications. The University is seeking CubeSat parts, laser communications terminal integration, and testing services. The procurement is in the award stage, and the contract with EnduroSat Trading LTD for the construction of CubeSat parts and services was signed on 26th May 2024.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses involved in satellite-related communications equipment, satellite launch services, and satellite communications equipment. Companies specialised in observation satellites, navigation satellites, and related satellite equipment can compete for supplying CubeSat components. The University of Northumbria at Newcastle is actively seeking suppliers to contribute to the successful completion of this innovative satellite communication project, which is set to enhance the data transfer capabilities of CubeSats through advanced laser technology.

## Notice

The University is completing the build of three 6U CubeSats as part of a technology demonstration mission funded by the UK Space Agency. This mission will see the launch of two 6U CubeSats into a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit (expected 450 km altitude) in 2026/7. The third 6U CubeSat is our reference model. The payload being developed for assembly integration and testing within the 6U CubeSat bus is a 2U laser communications terminal. The mission goal will be to demonstrate inter-satellite laser optical communications across a range of link lengths up to 1000 km and at least 1 Gbps data transfer rates between the 6U CubeSats. There will be a requirement for a number of ground-passes for frequent data downlink of the experimental results log files and the mission is anticipated to last for 1 year, including a deorbit final stage.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The University is looking to procure satellite parts, orbital modelling and thermal and mechanical modelling to create CubeSats. The University is planning on purchasing the remaining parts for the second CubeSat and, additionally for a complete third CubeSat, the University will build, assemble and integrate our laser payload into all three CubeSats ready for launch. Two of the CubeSats will get launched and the third CubeSat will be a testable on the ground.

CubeSat Parts

We are completing the build of three 6U CubeSats as part of a technology demonstration mission funded by the UK Space Agency. This mission will see the launch of two 6U CubeSats into a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit (expected 450 km altitude) in 2026/7. The third 6U CubeSat is our reference model. The payload being developed for assembly integration and testing within the 6U CubeSat bus is a 2U laser communications terminal. The mission goal will be to demonstrate inter-satellite laser optical communications across a range of link lengths up to 1000 km and at least 1 Gbps data transfer rates between the 6U CubeSats. There will be a requirement for a number of ground-passes for frequent data downlink of the experimental results log files and the mission is anticipated to last for 1 year, including a deorbit final stage.

Satellite components

We are completing the build of three 6U CubeSats as part of a technology demonstration mission funded by the UK Space Agency. This mission will see the launch of two 6U CubeSats into a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit (expected 450 km altitude) in 2026/7. The third 6U CubeSat is our reference model. The payload being developed for assembly integration and testing within the 6U CubeSat bus is a 2U laser communications terminal. The mission goal will be to demonstrate inter-satellite laser optical communications across a range of link lengths up to 1000 km and at least 1 Gbps data transfer rates between the 6U CubeSats. There will be a requirement for a number of ground-passes for frequent data downlink of the experimental results log files and the mission is anticipated to last for 1 year, including a deorbit final stage. As well as modelling analysis services. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/W8N27AVPAC

UK-Newcastle upon Tyne: Satellites

We are completing the build of three 6U CubeSats as part of a technology demonstration mission funded by the UK Space Agency. This mission will see the launch of two 6U CubeSats into a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit (expected 450 km altitude) in 2026/7. The third 6U CubeSat is our reference model. The payload being developed for assembly integration and testing within the 6U CubeSat bus is a 2U laser communications terminal. The mission goal will be to demonstrate inter-satellite laser optical communications across a range of link lengths up to 1000 km and at least 1 Gbps data transfer rates between the 6U CubeSats. There will be a requirement for a number of ground-passes for frequent data downlink of the experimental results log files and the mission is anticipated to last for 1 year, including a deorbit final stage. CubeSat parts.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018510-2024 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 14 Jun 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 5 Dec 2023 |
| Future notice date | 21 Jun 2023 |
| Award date | 25 May 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £260,000 |
| Lots value | £859,800 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £466,433 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Active, Cancelled, Planned |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE |
| Additional buyers | NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | UK-NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE: LABORATORY SERVICES. |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 8ST |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ENDUROSAT TRADING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment
- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 32324310 - Satellite antennas
- 32530000 - Satellite-related communications equipment
- 32531000 - Satellite communications equipment
- 32533000 - Satellite earth stations
- 32534000 - Satellite platforms
- 34712200 - Satellites
- 35631100 - Communication satellites
- 35631200 - Observation satellites
- 35631300 - Navigation satellites
- 60510000 - Satellite launch services

## Release History

- 14 Jun 2024 at 15:05 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018510-2024
- 3 Nov 2023 at 14:05 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032612-2023
- 3 Nov 2023 at 14:05 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032611-2023
- 18 May 2023 at 11:05 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014168-2023

## Notice URLs

- http://www.northumbria.ac.uk
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=861038274
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/W8N27AVPAC
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Newcastle-upon-Tyne:-Satellites./W8N27AVPAC
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-title/EBJQ4FXPX4
- https://www.northumbria.ac.uk
- https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03cd72. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03cd72.json.