New Space: New Strategic Research Field at Fraunhofer ISC

The objective of this project is to streamline the development and production of NewSpace technologies, making them more efficient, faster, and cost-effective in the future. To achieve this, we will investigate innovative technical approaches and test methods in light of the opportunities and challenges presented by modern digitalization, standardization, automation, and remote assistance strategies.

New Space Project for Fast Future Testing

In view of the expanding NewSpace sector and Germany's current position behind leading nations, this project addresses a crucial gap in existing test capabilities and capacities. By optimizing test environments and adapting to new market requirements, the goal is not only to enhance the quality and reliability of future satellites in the NewSpace sector but also to establish a foundation for Germany to assume a leading role in the future space industry.

The ISC digital team is contributing its expertise in the development of robot-supported and digitalized technology platforms in the "NeT pioneer" project.
 

Digital Transformation @Fraunhofer ISC

This joint project between Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG) and the Center for Telematics (ZfT) has two main objectives. On the technical side, we are investigating the particularly exciting future area of applications of nano- and microsatellites in VLEO. In this area, the partners are exploiting significant synergies between their respective focus areas to jointly develop application-relevant solutions in VLEO. To this end, the complementary competencies of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with its institutes EMI, ISC, and IIS were bundled with the participation of the IOF. At the strategic level, the objective is to strengthen the Würzburg site and establish it as a leading research and innovation center for all relevant small satellite classes and applications.

Fraunhofer EMI is contributing its expertise in earth observation payloads, data utilization, and larger small satellite platforms, including micro-satellite systems, to the project.

Fraunhofer ISC is investigating the use of new materials and structures with functional integration and solutions to enhance the durability of materials used in the challenging space environment.

Fraunhofer IIS provides innovative solutions in the field of communication payloads and applications.

Fraunhofer IOF is a leading global supplier of know-how and technology for optics in space applications, offering unparalleled quality.

This research team offers the industry a partner for the research and development of commercial "New Space" solutions for extremely low Earth orbits.

It is of the highest importance to implement magnetic shielding in space, as complex spacecraft inevitably possess a certain degree of magnetism and are susceptible to interaction with surrounding magnetic fields.

It is important to note that these interactions have the potential to interfere with sensitive instruments or cause unwanted torques. As a result, it is crucial to maintain precise control of magnetic cleanliness for many space missions that must adhere to strict cleanliness specifications within a range of 0.1-1 nT.

Potential applications of magnetic shielding in space:

1. Protection of sensitive instruments: Shielding sensitive instruments such as scientific magnetometers, gravity sensors and atomic clocks from external magnetic interference.

2. Stability of attitude control: Reduction of unwanted torques caused by residual magnetic fields in small satellites, which is crucial for precise attitude control.

3. Minimization of external magnetic disturbances: Reducing the effects of external magnetic fields from celestial bodies on spacecraft systems.

4. Shielding of on-board electromagnetic devices: Protection of devices such as reaction wheels, stepper motors and electrical current loops that generate local magnetic fields.

5. Improving magnetic cleanliness: Ensuring magnetic cleanliness for missions with stringent AC and DC magnetic field requirements, such as BepiColombo, Solar Orbiter and JUICE.

6. Solutions for compact designs: Implementation of magnetic shielding in compact spacecraft designs to deflect magnetic flux from sensitive components.

7. Compensation systems: Using permanent magnets or Torquer rods for compensation to mitigate magnetic interference.

Innovative technology for simple and effective EMI shielding on various substrates

The Fraunhofer project MAGGIE (Innovative Materials and Designs for Magnetic Shielding) is focused on researching materials that can be sprayed onto magnetic components or entire satellite structures. This method offers high flexibility and supports different geometric shapes, which could simplify the shielding of the satellite and significantly reduce costs. An effective spray coating would also be less massive, making the realization of multi-layered designs much easier. The concept is to apply a shielding layer by spray coating to efficiently protect customized components such as 3D-printed satellite housings even at low frequencies.

More about "Functional coatings"