ESMATS 2023

20th European Space Mechanisms
and Tribology Symposium
Organised by Astronika Sp z o.o.
20th - 22nd September, 2023

Aim & Scope

Attracting space scientists, mechanism designers and engineers from all over the world, the aims of the symposium are:

• To foster a dialogue between space mechanisms engineers on the design, development, testing, production and in-flight experience of spacecraft and payload mechanisms to encourage personal contacts in the mechanisms and tribology community
• To provide a networking opportunity as well as a presentation platform for companies and organisations
• To encourage the transfer of technology to and from space applications
• To promote awareness that space opportunities afford sustainable industrial growth

Organising Committee

Key Themes

The areas listed below are expected to be the major themes for the Symposium. Papers presenting hardware and covering these areas, coming from European and non-European entities, are specifically encouraged. Though all abstracts submitted will be given due consideration.

• • Mechanisms Design, Analysis, Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Testing
    • Lessons learned from qualification
    • Descriptions of novel and challenging designs
    • New methods for design, analysis, simulations and testing of mechanisms
    • Design Guidelines, high reliability
    • Design/manufacturing/verification for high-volume production
    • Design for disturbance attenuation, low shock, low noise performance
  • Components/Equipment
    • Motors, actuators, transmission devices, bearings
    • Hold-down/release, deployment, pointing, scanning, high-precision and high performance devices
    • Wheels, mechanical coolers, pumps, valves, solar array drive mechanisms, etc.
    • Sensors, miniaturisation of space mechanisms
  • Tribology and Materials
    • Lubricants and lubrication for bearings, gears, joints, electrical contacts
    • Application of smart materials in mechanisms
    • Extreme temperatures, environments, and operating conditions, long term storage
    • New tribo-materials and /or surface modification
    • Tribology for micro/nano-tribology
  • Launch Vehicles
    • Separation systems, engine/propulsion regulation, gimballing devices, turbopumps
  • In-Orbit Performance and Post-flight Investigations
    • Experience with flown hardware, including reports on in-flight mechanism performance and anomalies, lessons learned
    • Post-flight investigation of mechanisms and tribological components
  • Science Observatories, Earth Remote Sensing, and Planetary Exploration Mechanisms
    • Mechanisms for manipulations, robots, rovers
    • Sampling systems and in-situ analysis devices
    • Mechanical devices for science and remote sensing instruments
  • Space Platforms, Tethers, Re-entry Vehicle Mechanisms
    • Mechanisms for re-entry vehicles and the International Space Station
    • Long-term mechanism operation and maintenance in space

Best Paper Award

Since ESMATS 2019 the ESMATS committee have awarded a «Best presentation award» to the best presentation during the ESMATS symposium. A trophy will be awarded at the end of the Symposium.

The “Best presentation Award” will be attributed based on both paper content and presentation quality, the criteria being :

• Relevance to space mechanisms and tribology
• Topic based on lessons learnt
• Topic based on hardware test results
• Originality/novelty of the innovation presented
• Quality and clarity of presentation
• Quality and clarity of the presenter

 

History of ESMATS