For over 5 years now GMV has been collaborating with France’s National Centre for Space Studies (Centre national d’études spatiales: CNES) in all the following tasks: mission simulators and analysis; algorithm libraries; mission centers and spacecraft control centers; science-data and image processing; operational flight dynamics. This collaboration has been carried out within the framework contracts ACIBS and ACIS that GMV signed with CNES in 2011.

Each framework contract, pooling a set of Space areas or themes, is the instrument used by CNES “services” or departments to launch restricted calls for tenders for those activities that need the collaboration of private firms to complete the mission concerned. A framework contract entitles the holder to be included in CNES’s continuous consultation process for a set period of time.

CNES has recently invited tenders for the renewal of both framework contracts and has also launched a consultation for new activities, covering not only software development and maintenance but also technical assistance. After this consultation, in which GMV has competed with the main Space firms, CNES has once more turned to GMV for renewal of the framework contracts now called ACCIOME-S1 and ACSIS and has also awarded the firm a new framework contract, ACCIOME-S3.

After this renewal GMV will be priming ACCIOME-S1 and acting as subcontractor in ACSIS. Apart from mission analysis, ACCIOME-S1 has added on new mission-programming tasks. Within ACCIOME-S3 GMV will also be able to opt for onboard software development, command and control and operations in control centers both in flight dynamics operations (FDS) and payload and satellite platform.

The renewal of the framework contracts ACCIOME-S1 and ACSIS is key for the continuation of work being carried out by the flight-dynamics unit for CNES and will not only allow GMV to maintain the projects underway, currently involving a score of engineers, but will also give it a chance to win new contracts in this area. Winning the ACCIOME-S3 contract also represents an important landmark, giving GMV access to the development of onboard software for instruments.

Worthy of particular note here is the role played by GMV France not only in winning these three framework contracts but also providing a springboard for breaking into other activities within the competitive French Space market.