Frequently Asked Questions
Location/Access
Where is European Test Services (ETS) BV located?
ETS and the Test Centre are located on the ESA ESTEC site in the Netherlands with the address:
Keplerlaan 1, 2201AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
How do I get access to your site?
Before your arrival you should announce the names of the persons to your ETS contact. At arrival personal badges will be available at the ESTEC gatehouse, you can park you car on the ESTEC parking area inside the fences. To enter the site your valid ID card or passport is mandatory!
During which times and which days do I get access to your site?
After we announce you at the gate for testing, you will receive a magnetic badge that gives you 24 hours access to the site including the weekends. Thus you can enter the site outside ETS working hours to perform your preparation activities.
Which hotels are you recommending for our overnight stay?
We recommend hotels close to ETS/ESTEC in the village of Noordwijk. When ordering via the ESTEC Travel Office (BCD Travel), ESTEC.Traveloffice@esa.int hotel discounts are granted for the hotels in Noordwijk.
Shipping & Handling of Equipment
Where to should I send my equipment for testing?
You should send your equipment to: ETS/ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Please indicate your ETS contact on the waybill and announce your shipment to ETS preferably five working days in advance for large shipments.
How do you perform truck off-/loading?
There are several ways for truck off-/loading: By 3tons fork lift truck, by 16tons overhead crane in the loading bay or by specially rented 60tons external crane and 12tons fork lift truck. In all cases the truck off-/loading is performed by external supplier, the specially rented crane/fork lift truck is charged separately to the customer.
Who is cleaning my containers and auxiliary test fixtures with what cleansing agent?
Containers and auxiliary test fixtures (in case not packed in containers) are cleaned before entering the test centre by ETS contractors. For cleansing agents and methods are available: HP water spray, pressurised air, water & soap, damp cloth, dry cloth, etc.
During which hours do you perform truck off-/loading and containers cleaning?
Truck off-/loading is performed from Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 16:00. The cleaning personnel is available for cleaning from Monday to Friday between 6:30 and 14:00. In case you plan your transport arrival differently please request if personnel can be made available.
Does ETS personnel handle my equipment?
Basically ETS personnel is instructed not to touch customer hardware and instead to give support to the customer during handling: Instructions for test centre handling equipment is given to customers before use. Based on the indicated value of the equipment exceptions can be granted by the ETS managing director.
Which certifications do we need for our equipment on your site?
Your equipment shall be CE certified if applicable, on request you must be able to show ETS the proofing documents of your certification. Your activities on site shall be compliant to Dutch health and safety guidelines depicted on:
http://osha.europa.eu/fop/netherlands/en/legislation .
Testing and Preparatory Activities
Who is my contact within ETS?
To check your requirements, send you a proposal and allocate a provisional testing slot your first contact is the ETS Marketing and Sales Manager. As soon as you place your order a Test Responsible will be designated within ETS who will be your focal point during test preparation and testing. Our Test Responsible will be at your disposal to assure an efficient and successful test campaign at ETS.
Do I need to fill in any forms or templates before arrival?
Yes depending on the tests, certain forms are to be filled in before we start testing:
- Insurance form
This form is mandatory for all tests: Before arrival of your equipment the form shall be sent to ETS.
- Waiver of recourse
This form is mandatory if you need our support during truck off-/loading.
- Safety Questionnaire
This form is mandatory for all spacecraft test campaigns and mandatory to be read by all customers: In case you answer one of the questions positively, the whole questionnaire must be filled in. The questionnaire shall be provided to ETS two months in advance of your arrival; submittal shorter than two months in advance may lead to test delays.
- Instrumentation templates
In case you perform the sensors installation yourself you shall fill in ETS data handling templates for the right configuration of our data acquisition equipment. The templates shall be provided to ETS two weeks in advance of your arrival; submittal shorter than two weeks may lead to delays. Minor changes on short term notice are acceptable.
- IT Templates
If you require any special network connections for your on site office you shall fill in the ETS IT questionnaire for the right configuration of data connections inside the test centre. The questionnaire shall be provided to ETS six weeks in advance of your arrival; submittal shorter than six weeks may lead to delays in the data connection provision.
What inputs do you require before testing?
Specific inputs required by ETS are indicated in the work package description of the ETS proposal. Furthermore we need to receive certain forms to be filled in (see question about forms). Besides from the forms the most common required inputs are: Test specification, test procedure, instrumentation plan (in case ETS shall install sensors), schedule updates.
Do we need to bring a special fixture/adapter to mount the test article on your facility?
When receiving a facility (service), your test article will not fit directly on the offered facility: The facility is offered basically with the accompanied interface depicted in the detailed facility description. Thus a dedicated fixture/adapter is required to mount your test article onto the facility: In general the fixtures/adapters are provided by our customers, in case ETS shall provide the fixture this shall be requested specifically.
Do you provide bolts for test fixture/adapter installation on your facility?
We have available a stock of bolts for all our facilities, nevertheless you should check if we have the bolts with the right length/material/strength before coming to us.
Is it allowed that our equipment may enter your clean rooms?
In case you have a doubt that your equipment is not clean enough for entering the clean rooms please inform ETS. We make sure that your equipment will be cleaned before entering the centre, contamination hazards will be covered by foil.
Do we have to be present at your site during the test?
Basically we require the presence of at least one representative with exceptions depending on the value of your equipment. ETS personnel is instructed not to touch customer hardware and instead to give support to the customer. Based on the indicated value of the equipment exceptions can be granted by the ETS managing director.
What test standards can you comply to?
We have experience with a wide range of test standards like: ECSS, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-167, RTCA DO-160, IEC 61373, IEC 60068, EN 50121, ASTM D 4169 and more. If you are interested in our compliance to other standards please submit your standard to us and we will check our compliance.
Do you provide a test report and in which timeframe?
Normally ETS provides a facility data report after performing tests. The provision of the report is indicated in the ETS proposal, preliminary test data is already provided during the test. Data report delivery time is targeted at 2 weeks after test and maximum 4 weeks after test. In case you wish to receive the data report sooner please refer to your test contact.
Do you provide offices?
Do you provide a test report and in which timeframe?
Yes we provide offices with desks, chairs and cupboards on request. Phones and data connections can be provided as well.
Do you provide preparation or storage area?
Yes inside the test centre there are several preparation halls available, storage area is available on the same site.
Do you provide ICT services?
Yes we provide phones and data connections for your computer network and your computers. We also provide standalone test centre PCs connected to the internet and to a printer.
Is there a restaurant or cantina available on your site?
Yes you can use the ESTEC restaurant for your lunch.
