Nebula Public Library

The knowledge bank of ESA’s R&D programmes

Format: 2023
Format: 2023
Format: 2023

415 results found
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All missions in Earth-bound orbits rely on space debris and meteoroid flux models. These models are used to assess the mission risk and design shielding concepts (for manned modules). The flux predictions have been found to have a remarkable sizing effect. Collision break-ups are the major source of debris >1mm and are poorly understood. This needs to be improved significantly.
On Agency level, collision break-up modelling is decisive to define the Agency's position towards international agreements on space debris mitigation. Current models will be misleading.

Italy

TDE

T711-603SD

SPACEDYS S.R.L. SPACE DYNAMICS SERVICES S.R.L.

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Many astronomical space missions observe at wavelengths which are absorbed by the atmosphere, as for example some infrared, ultraviolet or x-ray bands. Especially UV and x-ray optics have very stringent alignment tolerances due to the small wavelengths. Consequently, telescopes and instruments can only be tested at their operational wavelengths under vacuum conditions. Traditional methods for fixing optical elements and subassemblies (eg.

Germany

TDE

T216-103MM

Fraunhofer Gesellschaft

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Metallic Glasses (MG) are a class of alloys which retain an amorphous structure in the solid state, when cooled from the liquid state. Formation of a fully amorphous structure for large cross sections (up to > 1 cm) is now possible for several alloying systems referred to as Bulk Metallic Glasses (e.g. Fe-base, Ti-base, Al-base, Mg-base, Ca-base, Zr-base).

Ireland

TDE

T524-503QT

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

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Metallic Glasses (MG) are a class of alloys which retain an amorphous structure in the solid state, when cooled from the liquid state. Formation of a fully amorphous structure for large cross sections (up to > 1 cm) is now possible for several alloying systems referred to as Bulk Metallic Glasses (e.g. Fe-base, Ti-base, Al-base, Mg-base, Ca-base, Zr-base).

Austria

TDE

T524-503QT

RHP-TECHNOLOGY GMBH

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The use of equipment based on COTS for small/constellation/low-cost platforms is impacting the reliability, availability, performance and robustness of the commonly used AOCS [Attitude and Orbit Control System] equipment (e.g. Gyros, star trackers, GNSS receivers). This activity explores innovative solutions at AOCS functions and architecture level (incl. AOCS FDIR) to mitigate the changes introduced by the use of COTS hardware for AOCS equipment.

Germany

TDE

T705-604SA

Airbus Defence and Space GmbH

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Almost every Scientific and Earth Observation spacecraft has stringent thermo-elastic stability/alignment requirements for the spacecraft. During the reviews of almost all of these projects many discussions on verifyng these requirements. The criticality and the complexity to verify compliance has become evident from projects like Herschel telescope, GAIA, Bepi Colombo and Solar Orbiter.

France

TDE

T708-601MS

THALES ALENIA SPACE FRANCE

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Image

The supra-THz (>3 THz) bands have been recently proposed for low Earth orbit THz remote sounding missions such as LOCUS (Low-Cost Upper-atmosphere Sounder). In order to achieve coherent detection, heterodyne receivers at supra-THz frequencies are under development by integrating in a single waveguide cavity a Schottky based mixers fed by a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) as Local Oscillator (LO). Thanks to the QCL, enough LO power is available to drive the mixer.

Germany

TDE

T107-505EE

DLR - German Aerospace Center

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Any manned exploration surface mission will rely on the availability of Oxygen for breathing, a power source that can operate independently of solar illumination and possibly, the ability to manufacture rocket propellant in-situ. All of these requirements can be met by the electrolysis of in-situ manufactured water. To achieve a highly reliable, light weight system, development of an electrolysis system that operates at high pressure is crucial.
 

Norway

TDE

T322-602EP

PROTOTECH A.S.

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Image

Conventional lithium ion batteries use organic highly flammable liquid electrolytes increasing the risk of catastrophic failure due to thermal runaways. In addition, the use of carbon anode in Li-ion batteries limit the maximum energy density. Based on scientific results, it is believed that the use of solid state electrolytes will significantly improve the electrochemical and thermal stability range of the battery cells.

France

TDE

T703-606EP

SAFT S.A.S

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Local oscillators (LO) used in microwave and millimetre-wave radiometer receivers for Earth Observation (EO) are normally based on Dielectric Resonator Oscillators (DRO) that are limited to a typical frequency of about 30 GHz. The LO frequency in the millimetre-wave range (165.4 to 229 GHz) is then obtained by means of additional multiplier circuits and band-pass filters, thus increasing the complexity of the circuit, mass and power consumption, and reducing reliability.

Germany

TDE

T106-601EF

IMST GmbH

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