Golden Fleece – In-Space Nanometal 2D Printing Demonstration

Golden Fleece

Golden Fleece – In-Space Nanometal 2D Printing Demonstration

Golden Fleece

Golden Fleece is an intelligent solar sail concept used for spacecraft propulsion. ABM Space and AMEPOX Microelectronics developed a production process with a 2D-printing technology, allowing the solar sail to be covered with in-situ nanometal ink to place electronic circuits on the sail substrate. Nanometal has outstanding and diversified mechanical, thermal and electrical properties which can be used for various applications in the field of space materials. The development of this 2D-printing method will facilitate in-orbit production and utilisation of metals gained in the future, particularly in-situ from the Moon and asteroids. The technology enables flexible production in space, spare parts production from lightweight material and mass production from future in-situ resources.

Benefits

  • Flexibility of electronics production in space
  • Flexibility of production of lightweight structures in space
  • Nanosilver as a biocide allows sterile structures and reductions in cleanroom costs
winner

ABM Space sp. z o.o. CCO
Torun, Poland
Mateusz Józefowicz
www.abmspace.com
office@abmspace.com

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FISHinSPACE – Zebrafish Larvae to Study Vertebrate Physiology in Space

FISHINSPACE

FISHinSPACE – Zebrafish Larvae to Study Vertebrate Physiology in Space

FISHINSPACE

The Zebrafish larvae are the ideal model to study vertebrate physiology in space and to transfer the results to humans. In the “FISHinSPACE” project, the GIGA – Université de Liège will send a platform for microscopic observation of such zebrafish larvae into space. The device for automatic observation of individual larvae is a cheap and highly efficient system model for studying an entire living organism in space conditions. The biggest benefits of this model are the optimisation of human life in an extreme environment, and the exploitation of the space environment to research common health issues.

Benefits:

  • Zebrafish larvae are highly suitable to study vertebrate physiology under space conditions
  • Exploiting the space environment as a proxy for researching common health issues, such as aging, osteoporosis, or blood circulatory problems
  • Space flight market will benefit as life in extreme environments becomes easier
  • Pharmaceutical industry will benefit from an adaptable platform to develop and test new medicines
winner

Université de Liège GIGA-Research
Liège, Belgium
Dr Marc Muller
www.giga.uliege.be
m.muller@uliege.be

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Shapecomm – Shaping the Future of Satellite Communication

shapecomm picture

Shapecomm – Shaping the Future of Satellite Communication

shapecomm picture

Current communication systems are experiencing great technical changes but do not fully reach the theoretical data rate limits. Satellite communication, in particular, requires flexibility and higher transmission rates to cope with current demands, e.g., for inflight entertainment systems or high throughput satellites. Shapecomm showcased the innovative technology of “Probabilistic Amplitude Shaping” (PAS) and “Distribution Matching” (DM), which achieved a 2.5-fold rate increase in an optical transmission experiment over the Atlantic Ocean conducted by Facebook and Nokia Bell Labs. Based on the patented technology, the company’s objective is to develop a transceiver architecture building upon the DVB-S2X standard, which could support new standardization endeavours, possibly culminating in DVB-S3.

Benefits:

  • Increase the data rate limits of current communication systems, e.g. satellite communication links
  • Efficient use of existing resources (e.g. bandwidth), helping to serve and accommodate more users and provide a better experience to end users
  • Important enabler and pioneer for future applications that require high data rates
  • Transceiver modems can be designed and produced more flexibly and with lower costs
  • Economically efficient provision of reliable connections and high data rates in remote areas
winner

shapecomm UG
Munich, Germany
Fabian Steiner
www.shapecomm.de
contact@shapecomm.de

shapecomm

Infused Thermal Solutions

infused thermal solutions

Infused Thermal Solutions

infused thermal solutions

Technical components in space are often exposed to fluctuating temperatures, which can lead to degraded performances or reduced lifetimes. Infused Thermal Solutions (ITS) is an innovative concept to passively stabilize the temperature of thermo-elastic spacecraft components. This idea combines known concepts of phase change materials (PCM) with modern manufacturing techniques (3D printing). The phase change materials are embedded inside custom-printed, double-walled component structures, offering a standalone solution.

Benefits:

  • Temperature stabilisation
  • Reduced thermo-elastic deformations
  • Increased component lifetimes
  • Creation of complex lightweight “bionic” structures
  • Cost reduction
  • Technology transfer (spin-off), e.g. in the automotive industry
finalist

Fachhochschule Aachen
Aachen, Germany
Prof Dr Markus Czupalla
www.fh-aachen.de
czupalla@fh-aachen.de

infused thermal solutions

SUMSENS – Structure-Borne Ultrasonic Multi-Hop Sensor Network for the Temperature Monitoring of Satellites

sumsens

SUMSENS – Structure-Borne Ultrasonic Multi-Hop Sensor Network for the Temperature Monitoring of Satellites

sumsens

The mechanical and thermal integrity of spacecraft will be crucial for future space missions lasting months, years, or even longer. Traditionally, wired sensors are used to measure all relevant parameters. SUMSENS offers the integration of a holistic wireless sensor network using the satellite structure itself for communication, in order to provide in-situ monitoring of the mechanical and thermal subsystem status. The SUMSENS sensor network consists of smart temperature sensor nodes, communicating among themselves via structure-borne ultrasonic waves. The core of each sensor node is a microcontroller platform providing all required data operations.
SUMSENS integrates Augmented Reality (AR) to support visual system integration, monitoring and maintenance. The technology can be transferred from space to ground transportation.

Benefits:

  • Wireless sensor network instead of heavy, space-consuming network infrastructure consisting of cable clutter
  • Cost reduction due to flexible installation, easy expandability, low energy consumption and reduction of communication traffic
  • Reliable, fail-safe network architectures
  • Modularity, allowing flexible installation
  • High-level structural integration
finalist picture

Fraunhofer LBF
Darmstadt, Germany
Dr Torsten Bartel
www.lbf.fraunhofer.de
torsten.bartel@lbf.fraunhofer.de

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Silent Running – Intrinsic Structural Vibration Reduction for Carrier Rockets Using Metamaterials

silent running

Silent Running – Intrinsic Structural Vibration Reduction for Carrier Rockets Using Metamaterials

silent running

When launching and flying a rocket, vibrations must be reduced to such an extent that they do not cause damage to the payload and structure. In the “Silent Running” project, MT Aerospace and Fraunhofer LBF are using carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP) with metamaterials, in order to reduce the vibrations that affect on the payload and structure during acceleration. Metamaterials combine the benefits of active and passive vibration reduction and are used, in the automotive industry, amongst others. “Silent Running” specifically targets to minimise vibrations in the upper stages of future Ariane carrier rockets. The innovative vibration dampers should be integrated into the load-bearing structure of the carrier rockets, so that the heavy damping elements conventionally used are no longer required.

Benefits:

  • Efficient rocket stages and complex payloads with longer service lives by minimising vibrations in the stage structures
  • Efficient rocket stages and complex payloads with longer service lives by minimising vibrations in the stage structures
  • Transporting of satellites with effective payloads and thus improved payload/cost ratio per launch
  • Spin-off into the automotive, aerospace and shipping industries
Sara Perfetto

Fraunhofer LBF
Darmstadt, Germany
Sara Perfetto
www.lbf.fraunhofer.de
sara.perfetto@lbf.fraunhofer.de

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