Instrument Miniaturization and Space Qualification Engineering

The contract seeks to miniaturize the ICOS instrument’s size, weight, and power consumption to meet the stringent requirements of spaceflight, focusing on a complete mechanical redesign, advanced thermal management systems, and rigorous analysis to ensure survivability during launch and orbital operations. This effort involves transforming a current ground-based or laboratory instrument into a space-ready platform by optimizing its physical form factor, reducing energy demands, and integrating robust environmental protections against vibration, shock, and temperature extremes encountered during ascent and space exposure. The work is to be performed under a subcontract arranged by the Canadian Space Agency on behalf of the Government of Canada, with the place of performance located in Longueuil. The solicitation was posted on July 10, 2026, and responses are due by July 27, 2026, under the NAICS code 334511 for astronomical and optical instruments manufacturing. The goal is to enable future space missions with more efficient, compact, and reliable carbon monitoring instrumentation, aligning with national and international efforts to advance space-based environmental sensing capabilities.