Astronika

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ESMATS 2023

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

ASTRONIKA sp. z o.o. is a Warsaw-based company established in 2013, shortly after Poland’s accession to ESA, by a unique group of engineers with vast experience in the development of precise space mechanisms. The company has three focus areas:

  • Planetary exploration, including utilization of space resources,
  • Deployment systems, including antennas, booms, hold down & release mechanisms,
  • Positioning mechanisms and actuators, including technologies for propulsion and AOCS.

Having previously been involved in the development of specialised instruments and coordination of space projects, Astronika’s engineers have gained broad and unique experience in the field of space engineering. This feature makes Astronika one of the key forerunners of the Polish space market.

Mission and Vision

The company’s aim is to develop the space sector in Poland and gain an established position on the Polish, European and global space market. We are continuously on the forefront of Polish space sector companies meeting the needs of our customers and extending our portfolio of mechanisms. We are ready to take up the challenge of meeting the highest professional standards and to strictly satisfy even the most customised and specific requirements.

Distinguishable qualities of our company that let us strive for success are:

  • Very high quality of products/services,
  • Highly qualified and committed staff,
  • Fresh and tailored approach to each and every order,
  • Continuous product enhancement and improvement,
  • Activity in the field of R&D, constant adaptation to demands of international markets.

Products and Services

Astronika creates tailor-made solutions for the space industry. The company’s technologies enable exploration of the Solar System and outer space in missions such as InSight, JUICE, HERA, ATHENA, PROSPECT and RadCube. At the core of the company’s business are lightweight, compact, and resilient mechanisms and instruments, such as:

  • Antennas and booms,
  • Hold-down and release subsystems with their key building blocks (HDRAs, dampers, hinges),
  • Linear and rotational actuators for propulsion and precision positioning,
  • Planetary penetrators and drills,
  • Planetary hopping robots and manipulators.

Astronika’s team is ready to assist you with its expertise in the mission requirements definition, through designing and prototyping, to testing, qualification and final integration of flight systems. With a team of about 40 experienced engineers and scientists, we utilize our own laboratory facilities with a cleanroom and specialised test equipment as well as in-house manufacturing facilities with extensive capabilities for precision and high-quality production of parts. Astronika is an ISO 9001:2015 certified space mechanism developer.

 

Facilities

The company has an analytical base for the design, simulation and analysis of various space mechanisms. Astronika’s laboratory is prepared for prototyping mechanical solutions that are under development, followed by integration and testing in normal conditions as well as under ISO8 cleanliness level. Our laboratory is equipped with laminar chambers, a small TVAC chamber, a 3-m long bake-out chamber capable of carrying out TVAC tests (~10E-06 bar, -80°C up to 200°C), a shock test stand (capable also of measuring self-generated shocks) and 0g deployment table. A dedicated manufacturing workshop makes use of vertical machining centres, CNC and manual lathes, inspection & control in-house facilities.


Space Heritage

The company developed NASA InSight’s HP3 Mole’s hammering mechanism, which concluded its mission as the first self-propelled device to penetrate a planetary surface, at the same time developing the deepest manmade borehole on Mars. In September 2020, Astronika delivered 5 FMs of Langmuir probe booms (LP‑PWI) for ESA’s JUICE mission. In December 2020, also for JUICE, the company delivered 2 FMs of a tri‑axial dipole antenna (RWI) for vector measurements of radio waves, while in 2021 Astronika delivered 1 PFM of Boom System for the RadMag Instrument for ESA’s RadCube mission. In early 2023 Astronika will deliver 4 FMs for ESA’s HERA Low Frequency Radar onboard the Juventas CubeSat.

The selected current and past developments are as follows:

  • Hammering Mechanism for HP3 mole penetrator, DLR for NASA JPL
  • JUICE RWI & LP-PWI instruments, IRFU for ESA
  • Dewar Door for X-IFU instrument and Hexapod Actuators, both for ATHENA mission, CNES & ADS for ESA
  • HDRMs for the PROSPECT package onboard Luna-27, Leonardo for ESA
  • RadMag Instrument boom for RadCube, C3S & MTA for ESA
  • Antenna mechanism for HERA Juventas, GOMSpace for ESA
  • Oscillatory Motor – passive damper for spring-driven deployment systems, with OHB for ESA
  • Galago – Highland terrain hopper for ESA
  • Gimbal mechanism for CMG, Thales Alenia Space, France for ESA

We are always looking for opportunities to work with industrial and academic partners for the development of new technologies or evolution of existing products for new and exciting developments. In case of interest in a cooperation please feel free to contact us (office@astronika.pl).

Contact Details

ul. Bartycka 18
Office no. 33
00-716 Warszawa
Poland

Phone: +48 22 3296 234
Fax: +48 22 32 96 237
e-mail: office@astronika.pl