Beyond Gravity: Mission-critical supplier for exploration

Moon, Mars or Jupiter: No matter how distant or challenging a deep space mission, products from Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space) help make space exploration a success. Many international science missions use key technology from Beyond Gravity. One example is the NASA Artemis moon program, which uses technology from Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space) for the powering of its Orion crew capsules. Orion’s powerhouse, the European Service Module, receives its energy from solar power – four Beyond Gravity mechanisms per mission make sure that solar arrays are perfectly aligned towards the sun. “Our mechanisms have to perform particularly complex and extremely precise movements and position the solar array panels correctly for all three Artemis missions,” says Anders Linder, head of the satellite business at Beyond Gravity. The mechanisms are the largest mechanisms the company has built so far. “We are one of the few suppliers offering a full range of Solar Array Drive Mechanisms from the microsatellite class to the largest geostationary satellites or science missions.” Another highlight: Beyond Gravity is also building the Sunshield Solar Array Subsystem for the European “planet-hunting” mission PLATO.

Beyond Gravity designs and assemblies the optical bench of PLATO, on which 26 cameras will be mounted. Prime contractor is OHB in Germany. Credit: Artist’s impression © OHB System AG

Stable spacecraft structure

The structure is the spacecraft’s underlying body, which keeps it suitably rigid. As a global leader for satellite structures, Beyond Gravity, headquartered in Switzerland, designs, engineers, manufactures, assembles and tests high-precision and dimensionally stable satellite structures. For the Artemis European Service Module, as well as for the European ExoMars mission, Beyond Gravity delivered structures, which form part of the spacecraft’s chassis. They can be used as satellite backbones or as instrument platforms for mounting optical or other instruments. For example, Beyond Gravity designs and assemblies the optical bench of PLATO, on which 26 cameras will be mounted. Linder: “We are capable of developing and manufacturing sophisticated satellite structures on one hand, but also deliver satellites structure panels with highest-in-this-industry manufacturing cadence, short turn around and application of industrialization and quality standards on the other hand.”

Computers with strong track-record

Beyond Gravity computers have a strong track-record for institutional missions. For example, the company develops and produces the computer for the European planet-hunting mission PLATO, scheduled for launch in 2026 or Europe’s Jupiter icy moons mission JUICE. The data handling system will control the satellite, collect research information and communicate with the ground. If very high processing performance is needed Beyond Gravity offers the “Lynx” single board computer with a high-performance processor and a powerful FPGA. The Lynx computer is 250 times more powerful than regular onboard computers. Lynx is designed for a long life in any satellite orbit or spacecraft trajectory and can be used on the platform or in the payload.

Apart from spacecraft, rovers like the ExoMars rover are controlled by a Beyond Gravity onboard computer. The vehicle’s brain will handle all data from cameras and instruments. The computer will also autonomously navigate the rover on the surface of Mars and communicate with the ground control center on Earth.

Thermal protection for deep space

To protect probes from cold and heat on their year-long journey to distant planets and during their operational mission lifetime, Beyond Gravity develops and produces customized high-quality thermal insulation. One example is the thermal protection for the European-Japanese Mercury probe BepiColombo (launched 2018), which must withstand lengthy exposure to temperatures as high as 450 degrees Celsius. Beyond Gravity provides thermal insulation to numerous other exploration missions, like PLATO, the US-European sun mission Solar Orbiter or JUICE.

Advanced antenna systems

Beyond Gravity is also known for its advanced antenna systems. For instance, the company enables the communication of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope across the 1.5 million kilometers distance to Earth. “All of the amazing images and science data from the telescope are transmitted through our antenna system,” says Anders Linder.

High precision mechanisms for scientific instruments

Beyond Gravity has vast experience in the development and production of mechanisms for scientific instruments. “For the Webb telescope we are responsible for three crucial mechanisms for two of the telescope’s scientific instruments,” states Linder. Two further highlights: “For the ExoMars rover we provided a complex vehicle camera mast and for BepiColombo the steering system, the mechanism that points the electric propulsion.”

High-tech containers and trolleys

To transport a billion-dollar science satellite on Earth, only the best technology comes into question. For example, NASA trusts in a reusable high-tech container from Beyond Gravity for its deep space missions Europa Clipper and the Psyche asteroid mission. In total, Beyond Gravity delivered more than 60 customized spacecraft containers to governmental customers like ESA, NASA and commercial customers like Ball Aerospace or Maxar. Beyond Gravity also builds multipurpose trolleys, that can rotate and tilt a spacecraft during integration, like the Webb telescope or the interplanetary NASA spacecraft Europa Clipper. So far Beyond Gravity delivered more than 80 multipurpose trolleys to institutional and commercial customers in Europe and USA.

New payload fairing from RUAG Space enables quieter journey to space

RUAG Space, a leading supplier to the space industry, has successfully developed and tested a new low shock jettison system for payload fairings. This enables a quieter and smoother journey to space for satellites or other payload. The required payload fairings for the European launchers Ariane and VEGA have been produced by RUAG Space in Emmen, Switzerland, since the 1970s. As part of the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) of the European Space Agency (ESA), RUAG Space has developed this new separation and jettison system for payload fairings. "This new solution enables a quieter journey to space", says Peter Guggenbach, CEO RUAG Space. The payload fairing protects the satellite from aerodynamic and thermal loads during flight. After passing through dense atmospheric layers and as soon as the satellite is no longer at risk, the payload fairing is separated from the launch vehicle. As a rule, two pyrotechnic mechanisms are fired to open hinges, allowing the half-shells to separate safely from the payload. "Pyrotechnics is a proven technology, which may generate significant shock during activation and may result in excitation that needs to be considered in the design of the launcher and payload hardware", says Alberto Sanchez Cebrian, Project Manager at RUAG.

Lower development costs and simpler test conditions
The separation and jettison system has a modular design and reduces development costs, as parts can be improved or replaced without affecting the entire system. Testing is easier and the mechanism does not require synchronization.

The tests were carried out at the RUAG Spaces site in Emmen on a 2.6 m long Vega payload fairing. The new system is scalable and could also be used for, for instance, in the European launch vehicle Ariane.

In addition to the successful separation test, a significant noise reduction was achieved. An integrated sound-reducing perforated insulation layer within the sandwich panels of the payload fairing enables noise reduction without increasing mass and volume.

In certain frequency bands this system could replace acoustic absorber mats currently used in payload fairings. Testing and evaluation of this new system will continue in the next phase of the project.

RUAG Space signs MOA with Australian rocket company Gilmour Space

Australia's leading rocket company, Gilmour Space Technologies, has signed a long-term collaboration and supply agreement with global launch industry supplier, RUAG Space. The memorandum of agreement, the first of its kind in Australia, explores the use of RUAG Space's new range of FlexLine carbon composite products in Gilmour Space's proprietary hybrid rockets. The Queensland-based company is targeting to launch small satellites weighing up to 100 kg into low earth orbits from 2020, and up to 400 kg from 2021. "RUAG Space has a long history of providing reliable launch technologies for rockets like the Ariane 5, Vega and Atlas," said Gilmour Space CEO and Founder, Adam Gilmour. "With this collaboration, we look to leverage on their proven expertise, while lowering our launcher development costs and time-to-market."  Holger Wentscher, Senior Vice President Launchers at RUAG Space: "Our new FlexLine products offer weight optimised, reliable and user-friendly solutions, at best-in-class series cost. "It has been very exciting to see the progress that Gilmour Space and Australia have made in the space domain since we first met at the IAC (International Astronautical Congress) in Adelaide last year; and we look forward to collaborating with them in their goal to provide lower cost access to space from Australia."