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13th European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium 2009

13th ESMATS sponsors

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RUAG Space

RUAG Space is the largest international, independent supplier of high reliable space equipment for use on-board satellites and on launchers. RUAG Space is the new common name for RUAG’s space operations in Switzerland, Austria (former Austrian Aerospace) and Sweden (former Saab Space) with 650 employees. Development and production of high precision mechanisms are a key strength of RUAG Space such as pointing and deployment mechanisms, mechanism components, sliprings, separation mechanism for launchers.

Besides its strong mechanical competences, RUAG Space offers expertise in Computers and Data Handling, Signal Processing, Structures, Thermal Systems, Microwave electronics, Antennas, MGSE and scientific instrumentation. The combined space operations of RUAG Space builds on a vast experience in space projects and is highly recognized as reliable and robust supplier in Europe and beyond. RUAG Space is active in the institutional and commercial space market as well as in related industrial segments, serving ESA, ESTEC, CNES, etc. and industrial clients, building on long-term relationships of more than 25 years.

RUAG Space belongs to the RUAG group, an international aerospace and defence company with strong technological skills and production sites in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden and Austria. The Group’s holding company is based in Berne, the capital of Switzerland.

The Austrian subsidiary (RUAG Space GmbH) is a well-proven supplier of electrical, mechanical and thermal equipments and subsystems for satellites and launchers. Thermal insulation for cryogenic applications is an important spin-off product on the non-space market. The company, with its main premises in Vienna and a production site in Berndorf has 135 employees. A substantial number of successful contributions to European, US and Asian space projects have established the company's reputation as an acclaimed international partner. The product portfolio encompasses the following areas of expertise:

• On-board Electronics, particularly Digital Signal Processing and Control Electronics
• On-board Mechanics, particularly Pointing and Deployment Mechanisms as well as Mechanism Components
• Thermal Hardware, particularly Multilayer Insulation
• Ground Support Equipment, both mechanical and electrical

In the field of mechanisms for space RUAG Space Austria has put an emphasis on pointing mechanisms, deployment systems and structural components. RSA is well known for its patented Electric Propulsion Pointing Mechanisms for both institutional and commercial satellites. Deployment Mechanisms and components like Viscous Dampers are sold world-wide. Mechanical engineering for space applications covers aspects such as kinematics at cryogenic temperatures down to 5 K, the selection of space-usable material, corrosion, tribology, the use of electric motors and release systems, testing at cryogenic temperatures etc.

In Switzerland, RUAG Space Ltd. is an expert in design and manufacturing of highly capable slip-rings for solar arrays as well as for pointing and deployment, position and hold-down & release mechanisms for satellite appendages like antennas and solar arrays. The development of the contamination control cover of the MIRI instrument of the James Webb Space Telescope, the pointing mechanism for the BepiColombo antenna, the hold-down & release mechanism for the Rosetta antenna or the Grabbing, Positioning & Release Mechanism for LISA are some latest examples.

Switzerland also produces fairings for Ariane and Atlas launchers, lightweight structures and complete scientific instrumentation for microgravity research.

The Swedish branch (RUAG Space AB) is the world’s leading supplier of payload adapters and separation systems for commercial launch vehicles with a record of more than 400 in-orbit separations. The Payload Adapters are tailored to our customers needs and manufactured out of aluminum or Carbon Fiber composite technologies to impressive performance. Customers are Ariane, Atlas, Delta, Land Launch, Proton, Sea Launch, Soyuz, Taurus and Titan launchers.

RUAG Space Sweden also provide highly reliable on-board satellite equipment including computer systems, antennas and microwave electronics.

Contacts:
Austria: RUAG Space GmbH
Stachegasse 16
A-1120 Vienna Austria
Tel:+43-1-80199-0
Fax:+43-1-80199-6950
Email: info.at.aerospace@ruag.com
Website: www.ruag.com/space/at

Switzerland: RUAG Space Ltd
P.O. Box 301
Seetalstrasse 175
6032 Emmen
Switzerland
Phone: +41 412 684 311 (Secr.)
Fax: +41 412 683 948
e-mail: space.aerospace@ruag.com
Website: www.ruag.com/space/ch

Sweden: RUAG Space AB
Solhusgatan 11
405 15 Göteborg
Sweden
Phone: +46 31 735 00 00
Fax: +46 31 735 40 00
e-mail: info.se.aerospace@ruag.com
Website: www.ruag.com/space/se

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European Space Agency

The European Space Agency is Europe's gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe.

Formed in 1973, when a Ministerial Conference in the Hague approved a highly ambitious space programme to carry the European space effort into the new millenium.

Since the last ESMATS, ESA has overseen the highly successful launches of the Columbus and Jules Verne modules to the ISS as part of Europe's commiment to the ISS and establishing Europe as a major player in the space community.

ESA has 18 Member States; Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
Website: www.esa.int

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Austrian Research Centers GmbH

The Space Materials Testhouse provides assistance to ESTEC (European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, NL) in characterisation and qualification of materials and processes of industrial suppliers. The objectives of this collaboration is the assessment of new technology for space missions in advance and the investigations of failures and anomalies in present space missions (Cold welding in Meteosat mechanism for example).

This Cooperation lasts since 1989 by Frame-contracts to ESTEC for periods of 2-3 years in which the Space Materials Testhouse organises direct settlement of "Call Off Orders" (approx 10 per year, i.e. about 200 KEuro).
The cooperation partner at ESTEC is B.D. Dunn (Tec-Q, Manufacturing Technology Advisor).


Domains of Competences

Welding and soldering technology

• Fatigue of soldered joints
• Mechanical properties of «electronic materials» at low temperatures
• Effect of coating of circuit boards
• Diffusion welding of beryllium
• Diffusion bonding

Testing in simulated space environment

• Thermal cycling
• Outgassing
• Sublimation and Redeposition
• Tribology under vacuum
• Cold Welding under vacuum due to fretting and impact
• Coefficient of Moisture Expansion (CME) on CFRPs

Qualification and characterisation of materials for space

• Aluminium alloys
• Reinforced ceramics
• Metal matrix composites
• Polymer matrix composites
• Self-lubricating composites and anti-adhesion coatings

Contacts:
DI Dr. Ernst Semerad
Tel: +43 (0)50550-3322
e-mail: ernst.semerad@arcs.ac.at
Website: AIT - Space Materials Testhouse

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RUAG Space Switzerland (former Oerlikon Space)

RUAG Space Ltd is one of the major European suppliers in the development of complex space mechanisms. Precision mechanisms have been a speciality of RUAG Space since the early days of space technology. The acquisition of the French company Snecma's high precision mechanisms business in 2005 made RUAG Space the top ranked European supplier of Solar Array Drive Mechanisms (SADM).

RUAG Space Ltd is specialised particularly in the field of actuator technology (dedicated towards pointing, deployment and solar array drive applications), high performance separation mechanisms and in the nano technology applied to pointing. RUAG Space Switzerland qualify as the only European supplier offering a full range of SADM from the micro satellite class up to the largest telecom &Earth observation satellites.

The primary deployment mechanism of the solar array for the Hubble Space Telescope, the separation system of the Huygens Probe from the Cassini Spacecraft, the electrical thruster orientation mechanism for SMART-1 and the scan mechanism for the IASI Instrument on METOP are examples for our expertise in this area.

Contacts:
Sales &Marketing
T: +41 44 306 2200
F: +41 44 306 2210
RUAG Space
Schaffhauserstrasse 580
8052 Zürich
Switzerland
e-mail: sales.ch.space@ruag.com
Website: www.ruag.com/space/ch

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EPFL

Working for space projects has always been a tradition at EPFL since the early 1980's. Some of the key domains of expertise developed in Lausanne include aerodynamics, antennae and robotics for planetary exploration.

The mission of the Space Center EPFL is to promote and develop space activities by involving Swiss education, science and industries according to the following themes:

• Trigger the students' interest with new projects and lectures related to space.
• Strongly encourage Space R&D by opening new research areas and reinforcing on-going activities.
• Foster cooperation with the Swiss space industries to increase competitiveness and yield in an improved collaboration with academic laboratories.

The key objectives of the Space Center EPFL are:

• To federate and promote R&D for space applications
• To assist units and labs to prepare and realise space projects
• To facilitate the construction of scientific and technological projects linked to space in collaboration with the Swiss industry and other R&D centres
• To focus R&D capacities in order to reach a critical mass and to become a privileged partner at Swiss and international levels
• To valorise R&D developments performed in the space sector

Contacts:
Space Center EPFL
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
ELD-013
Station 11
CH-1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)21 693 69 48
Fax: +41 (0)21 693 69 40
e-mail: space.center@epfl.ch
Website: space.epfl.ch

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EADS Astrium

Drawing on over 40 years' experience, Astrium Satellites’ equipment and subsystems portfolio covers avionics, electronic, mechanism and structure products and expertise specific to space applications. Key technology areas, for both platforms and payloads, in which the company excels include: solar generators, lightweight, high-stability structures, thermal management systems and components, guidance, navigation and control systems, antennas and reflectors, on-board digital processors, electrical, RF and microwave equipment, sensors, flight software - to name but a few.

The capability to design and manufacture this vast range of equipment and subsystems in-house confers enormous advantages in terms of flexibility of response and optimisation of capacity. This is not only a major factor in the success of Astrium Satellites’ prime business activities, but also allows the company to offer external customers space-tested state-of-the-art, off-the-shelf-products.

EADS Astrium range of Mechanism products include:

• Antenna deployment and trim mechanism (ADTM)
• Antenna deployment mechanism (ATM)
• Antenna pointing mechanism - compact
• Antenna pointing mechanism electronics (APME)
• Antenna pointing mechanism/equipment
• Hold down and release mechanism (HRM)
• Solar array drive
• Solar array drive electronics (SADE)
• Scan control electronics
• Scanning DRIVE mechanism with integrated drag compensation
• Shape memory alloy deployment hinge

Contacts:
e-mail: products@astrium.eads.net
Website: http://astrium.eads.net - EADS Astrium

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CNES - Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales

Founded in 1961, the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) is the government agency responsible for shaping and implementing France’s space policy in Europe.

Its task is to invent the space systems of the future, bring space technologies to maturity and guarantee France’s independent access to space.

CNES is a pivotal player in Europe’s space programme, and a major source of initiatives and proposals that aim to maintain France and Europe’s competitive edge.

It conceives and executes space programmes with its partners in the scientific community and industry, and is closely involved in many international cooperation programmes—the key to any far-reaching space policy.

The agency’s more-than 2,400-strong workforce constitutes an exceptional pool of talent, with some 1,800 engineers and executives, 35% of whom are women.

Through its ability to innovate and its forward-looking vision, CNES is helping to foster new technologies that will benefit society as a whole, focusing on:

• access to space
• civil applications of space
• sustainable development
• science and technology research
• security and defence

Contacts:
Website: www.cnes.fr - CNES

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FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the national funding institution for applied industrial research in Austria.

FFG offer a comprehensive range of services for Austrian enterprises, research institutions and researchers – from the management of public funding programmes to consulting services in all phases of technology development and innovation, from support for integration into European research programmes and networks to the promotion of Austria"s interests at the European and the international level.

The Aeronautics and Space Agency (ALR) of the FFG is the gateway to the international aerospace industry for Austria's business and science sectors and aims to strengthen their international standing in these key technologies. It acts as the central contact point for the coordination of all aeronautical and space-related activities in Austria and is the docking station to the international aeronautical and space scene. The agency supports the participation of Austrian researchers in international and bilateral aerospace collaborations and fosters the creation and development of international networks. It implements Austrian aeronautical space policy and represents Austria’s interests in international aeronautical and space organisations. The agency"s main focus is on managing the contributions of the Republic of Austria to the programmes of the European Space Agency (ESA) and is responsible for the management of the Austrian Space Programme ASAP.

Contacts:
House of Research
Sensengasse 1
1090 Vienna
AUSTRIA
Tel:+43 (0)5 7755 – 0
Fax:+43 (0)5 7755 – 97900
E-mail:office@ffg.at

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ESTL - European Space Tribology Laboratory

ESR Technology, with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), operates the European Space Tribology Laboratory (ESTL), Europe's focus for expertise in space tribology.

Keeping Space moving through quality solutions to friction and wear.

ESTL specialises in providing solutions to friction, wear and lubrication issues relating to the precision mechanisms that operate in the vacuum environment of space, or in terrestrial vacuum applications. Over the past 35 years, ESTL has been involved in virtually every major European Space programme, with no known failures in orbit.

ESTL delivers solutions by offering a flexible combination of specialist products and services:

• Tribology – we have many years of tribological data from which we have developed processes and design tools. We also provide consultancy and training
• Testing – we have years of experience performing thermal vacuum and tribometer tests and regularly undertake life, qualification and acceptance testing for our customers. ESTL is an ESA-approved test house
• Lubrication – we provide a range of high quality and space qualified solid and liquid lubrication products
• Mechanisms – we offer a design support capability as well as a high quality mechanism component and subassembly build service. We also supply niche mechanical components to other mechanism suppliers
• Transfer – we transfer these specialist technologies developed for space into terrestrial vacuum markets such as the medical and semiconductor industries

Contacts:
ESTL - ESR Technology Ltd
Whittle House
410 The Quadrant
Birchwood Park
Warrington WA3 6FW
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1925 843499
Fax: +44 (0)1925 843497
Email: simon.griffin@esrtechnology.com
ESTL is part of ESR Technology Ltd

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