Nebula Public Library

The knowledge bank of ESA’s R&D programmes

Format: 2023
Format: 2023
Format: 2023

322 results found
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Louvers are active thermal control elements that are typically placed over external radiators to be able to tune heat rejection from typically a factor 1 (fully closed) to 5 (fully open). The most commonly used louver is the bimetallic, spring-actuated, rectangular blade louver also known as venetian-blind louver. One of the known drawbacks of this technology is the mass and volume it requires, in particular with regards to the deployment of blades.

Switzerland

TDE

T721-502MT

CSEM SA. Centre Suisse dElectronique et de Microtechnique SA

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Several developments are on-going and targeting an accuracy above 10 bits, however no development and no product in the market is currently covering low accuracy. There is a clear need for this type of sensors as for many applications that need low or medium accuracy sensors, cost is normally an important factor. To fit this type of applications, current mechanisms use potentiometers, which are easy to integrate and cheap compared to other products, however, they are prone to noise and limited life because of their technology, based on sliding electrical contact.

Spain

TDE

T715-603MS

EMBEDDED INSTRUMENTS AND SYSTEMS SL

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As proved in several missions, the Lorentz force acting on the electric current carried by a space electrodynamic tether (EDT) can be used to propel spacecraft without using propellant. State-of-the-art EDTs involve a bare tape for passive electron collection (anodic contact) and an active device, or a tether segment coated with a low-work-function material, for electron emission (cathodic contact).

Spain

Discovery

ETD 2021-04

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

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In this project, the University of Luxembourg studied and evaluated a new concept of connecting space missions via space internet providers. The system requirements, necessary adaptations, and possible limitations are provided and discussed. Three types of space internet provider were studied and evaluated: Starlink, OneWeb and O3b mPOWER.

Luxembourg

Discovery

20-D-S-OPS-03

University of Luxembourg

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Assessments to Prepare and De-Risk Technology Developments - Characterisation of a Liquid Crystal on Silicon Based Laser Beam Steerer for Applications in Free Space Optical Satellite Communications in Low Earth Orbit. 

Spain

GSTP

G617-241TAex

EMBEDDED INSTRUMENTS AND SYSTEMS SL

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The Envision CDF exercise has concluded that a bit rate of 75 Mbps is required to comply with the data return strategy, mainly due to big quantity of data produced by the proposed SAR instrument.At the Venus distances the received power on earth is quite limited, requiring a very efficient modulation and coding system.Turbo rate 1/4 is a very efficient coding mode, allowing to go down to Eb/No of 0 to 0.25 dB, which is around 1 dB better than the LDPC 1/2 codes, which is the current solution used in EUCLID at these high data rates.

Portugal

TDE

T212-005GS

DEIMOS ENGENHARIA S.A.

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Wheeled rovers are the clear choice for large traverse exploration of relatively flat terrains.
 
ESA has investigated walking rovers for several years (GSP CESAR, TERP ARAMIE and SPACEWALKER, NPI with DLR and ethz).
Recent advances in leg motoring (serial-elastic actuation) make possible to overcome the issues highlighted in previous ESA work.
There is potential of realising a walking rover for space use in short time.

Germany

TDE

T313-603MM

DFKI GmbH

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This activity will focus on the development of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) based version of the de-risked novel light source. As with the bench-top version, the chip consists of three stages and operates as follows. Stage one produces an optical comb centred on 795nm and with a wavelength spacing of 6.835 GHz. In stage two, the demultiplexer stage, this comb is split into two equal paths each of which lead to an injection locked laser. The two injection locked lasers are tuned to select a pair of adjacent wavelengths from the comb.

Ireland

GSTP

GT17-170MM

PILOT PHOTONICS LTD.

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In the frame of past research activity focused on reviewing numerical time integration schemes for solving complex deployable space system such as Large Deployable Reflector and P-band FLATS antenna, two main limitations were clearly identified:
 
  • The first limitation is on the modelling of discontinuities (such latches, brakes,...). The current representation of these elements is not optimized with severe consequences on solution convergence and robustness.
 

    Poland

    GSTP

    G617-082MS

    SKA POLSKA SP. Z O.O.

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    Achievements and status:

    United Kingdom

    GSTP

    G717-187MMb

    RAL Space

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