16th European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium 2015

Bilbao, Spain - 23rd to 25th September 2015

17th European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium, 2017

Is being organised by Airbus Defence and Space Ltd and will be held in Hertfordhire, United Kingdom - 20th to 22nd September 2017
Full details can be found on the symposium website ESMATS 2017

For the 3rd time in its history, ESMATS will be visiting Spain; ESMATS 2015 is to be held in Bilbao in northern Spain and will be organised by SENER, one of Europe's premier satellite mechanisms suppliers.

The Symposium will be held in the Euskalduna Jauregia Conference Centre in Bilbao on the 23rd, 24th and 25th September, 2015.

Since its inception in 1983 ESMATS has come to be recognised as the premier vehicle for Mechanisms Engineers, experienced and new recruits, to come together to discuss and celebrate their successes and failures, with a view to pooling their knowledge for the betterment of this unique community and the European Space industry as a whole.

This time we are able to offer a generous display area just in the entrance to the auditorium, where suppliers can exhibit their products to an audience who may be looking for equipment for current and future programmes.

ESMATS is held bi-annually, alternating in collaboration with its sister event in the USA - The Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium.

The European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium, ESMATS, regularly attracts around 250 space mechanism designers and engineers, space scientists, satellite project and programme managers from around the world.

Previous ESMATS; 2007 in Liverpool, England, 2009 in Vienna, Austria, 2011 in Constance, Germany and 2013 in Noordwijk, The Netherlands have attracted delegates from most of the countries of Europe and across the world; The United States, Japan, China, India, Brazil, Australia and Canada to name but a few.

ESMATS has visited Spain on 2 previous occasions in 1987 - Madrid - and 2003 - San Sebastian.

ESTL Space Tribology Course

As with previous years ESTL will be holding their Space Tribology Course (STC) at the same location on the 2 days prior to ESMATS. Delegates will be able to book both events through this web site with a single booking when it opens for registration in March 2015.

Space Tribology Course delegates are encouraged to book early to guarantee a place as registrations in previous years have closed early due to being fully booked several weeks prior to the event - and also to assist the organisers in event arrangements.

Participants will learn:

Techniques of applied design of tribological components including mechanisms, bearings and gears
How to define and apply criteria for the selection of designs
How to define and apply criteria for the selection of materials
How theories of lubrication affect critical design and manufacturing decisions
Qualification test procedures including thermal vacuum testing of mechanisms
and about the latest developments and understandings in the domain of tribology and lubrication

The course includes training in:

Solid Lubricants including molybdenum disulphide, thin lead films and self lubricating bearing cages
Fluid Lubricants including Pennzane and Fomblin Z25
Space qualified materials including structural materials, vacuum compatibility and use of heritage data

Registration is now open for ESMATS 2105 and STC 2015

More details >>

Launchspace Space Mechanisms Course

As a new initiative for 2015 on Monday and Tuesday, September 21st and 22nd - the 2 days prior to ESMATS - Launchspace is providing a special edition of their Space Mechanisms Design course at the same location as ESMATS.

This course explores the technologies required for the successful design of moving mechanical assemblies in the space environment and offers a detailed look at many of the key components common to most mechanisms, such as ball bearings, motors and feedback devices. With this background, the high-performance materials required for operation in space are reviewed, emphasizing compatibility with the space environment and offering some background in the metallurgy, chemistry, and fabrication of those materials.

Examples of some of the many types of mechanism will be included for illustration. In addition, the mechanisms relationship and interface with other vehicle systems will be explored, as a mechanism usually becomes an important part of the vehicles structural, thermal, contamination, survivability, and pointing subsystems. The course includes design and analysis examples to demonstrate the principles involved in understanding how mechanisms should work, and how design margins should be evaluated during the evolution of a programme.

Registration is now open for the Launchspace Space Mechanisms Design Course.

More details >>

and the next AMS Mechanisms Symposium is in Santa Clara, California, USA, USA, 4th to 6th May, 2016. www.aeromechanisms.com

ESMATS 2015

The 2015 16th ESMATS is being organised by SENER and will be held at the Euskalduna Jauregia Conference Centre, Bilbao, Spain between the 23th and 25th September 2015. SENER, one of Europe's most successful space mechanisms companies, are based in Bilbao and have been prominent supporters of ESMATS since its inception in 1983.

Important Dates:

24th Sep, 2014:

1st announcement, call for papers