HPS Space News

Space premiere also for the innovative BANT-1 reflector antenna from HPS

On January 14, 2025, “SIGI”, the first satellite from the NextSpace company Reflex Aerospace, Berlin/Munich, was launched on board a Falcon 9 – Rideshare Mission Transporter-12. “NextSpace” is the term legally reserved for exclusive use by Reflex to describe the new speed in the development, production and provision of space technology, coupled with innovative versatility as a leitmotif for the performance of the product.

To a large extent, this also applied to an essential element of the satellite not manufactured by Reflex: the core broadband reflector antenna developed by HPS from the medium-sized space technology company HPS GmbH (Munich, Germany) with a cavity-backed spiral antenna as an axial feed for a wide bandwidth and considerable gain – and all that from order to delivery in just 12 months.

HPS congratulates Reflex Aerospace on the first launch of one of its products and looks forward to working with them on further NextSpace challenges in space.

Antenna specialist HPS conquers new territory in RF applications with verification of innovative 3D production

Even formerly very sceptical augurs of space travel now agree that the ability to largely automate the series production of lightweight components while minimizing raw materials and ensuring maximum reliability will have a significant impact on the future development of applicable technologies.

However, the central prerequisite for the implementation of such visions is still a very classic step-by-step verification, in this case of two materials selected by the HPS engineers using the new ESA standard ECSS-Q-ST-70-80C.

Given the future potential of such technology, the European and German space agencies have a primary interest in the success of the research at HPS and provided GSTP funding for the 3DPAN2 project: “3D-Printed Antenna 2” is a follow-up project to 3DPAN, which was completed five years ago and initially demonstrated the feasibility in principle of 3D-printed RF components.

The product objective was an extremely lightweight X-band antenna with a diameter of ~30cm for the data downlink of earth observation satellites. It was finally manufactured from the aluminum alloy SCALMALLOY at the sub-contractor APWORKS GmbH in Ottobrunn. In addition, a filigree feed support bracket made of titanium was manufactured for fold-out antennas by the long-standing HPS trusted partner, the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, Dresden, as a subcontractor.
Meanwhile, the respective designs and FE analyses, as well as their iterative optimization, were carried out by HPS in Munich itself.

The final tests delivered positive results that exceeded all expectations. This applied in particular to the RF performance of the X-band antenna in the Compensated Compact Range (Munich University of Applied Science MUAS). Resistance to vibration (sine + random) was also successfully demonstrated for both demonstrators at SGS GmbH, Geretsried: here too, everything went without complications, i.e. above all without damage or deformation. Even a final TVAC test (10 cycles between +120°C and – 120°C) showed no cracks or deformations on the demonstrators.

Olaf Stolz, the responsible project manager at HPS, summed up the project as follows: “The objectives of the verification processes were achieved without any restrictions: the additively manufactured demonstrators were 20% and 25% lighter than corresponding conventionally manufactured components – a well-known enormous advantage in space travel. There were no restrictions on qualification for space applications. We would like to thank our cooperation partners, especially Dr. Samira Gruber (Fraunhofer IWS) and Mr. Nicklas Schwab (APWORKS) for the extremely good and successful cooperation in the project, as well as ESA, in particular Ms. Isabel Olaya Leon, Technical Officer of the 3DPAN2 project.

HPS CEO Ernst K. Pfeiffer is delighted: “It is fantastic that we are already implementing 3D printed components with the technology results of the ESA GSTP program in current flight projects. A goal that we set 8 years ago and that is essential for the future market has now been achieved.”

Dezember 2024

HPS Christmas Party 2024: Our Biggest Yet!

Last night, we celebrated the holidays together at our annual Christmas party – and this year was extra special!

For the first time, we hosted it on our new floor, making it the biggest Christmas party in HPS history!

The evening was filled with:

• Plenty of mulled wine and delicious food
• A variety of drinks to toast the season
• 12 inspiring mini-presentations (just 2-5 minutes each) by our Department Heads, CEO, CFO, CTO, Quality Management, HR, Procurement and Social Media, sharing insights and ideas.

It was a wonderful evening of connection, celebration, and looking ahead to an exciting future. Here’s to the amazing HPS team and the bright year ahead!

Producing antennas in series

For over 20 years, the Munich-based space technology company HPS has been known for breaking new ground wherever possible and establishing an increasingly solid bridge between ClassicSpace and CommercialSpace with innovations of all kinds. This applies to products such as deployable antennas of all sizes through to processes such as the series production of the deorbit sail module product family (ADEO).

With the implementation of a further process innovation, HPS is now also realizing new efficiency horizons in the antenna sector, because a commercial customer is in a hurry: more than 20 broadband antennas are needed, in a period of less than only 12 months, starting NOW. HPS is already known from a large number of successfully completed antenna orders – whether from the institutional or commercial sector – for the routine of quality production at a consistently high level that is valued by customers. But now, with the start of small series production, the company is heralding the introduction of a further development stage in the process of merging the quality features of conventional and new space technology into something new and even better. And despite all the high pressure, with the power that comes from calm.

November 2024

HPS and EXOLAUNCH: Making Space Clean Again

HPS is happy to join forces with the Germany-based Exolaunch and is fully engaged to support customers of Exolaunch by enabling this very special and successful NewSpace-launch service provider to grant priority access to the delivery schedule of flight-proven ADEO* deorbit sails which are currently in high demand.

EXOLAUNCH’s COO Jeanne Allarie and HPS’s CEO Ernst Pfeiffer signed an Agreement on Space Tech Expo 2024 in Bremen in a great joint spirit (see pictures) the ambitious endeavour of

• being a role model for a sustainable use of space and
• of raising awareness with all potential customers on an existing solution for deorbiting: ADEO-modules are easy, affordable and reliable to contributing significantly to Making Space Clean Again.

See for the respective EXOLAUNCH announcement

(* ADEO-modules are needed to allow a satellite deorbit after its “End-of-Business” within five years; satellites without this or any kind of deorbit accelerator do not get clearance for launch anymore.)

November 2024

German space agency chief Dr. Walther Pelzer and DLR delegation focus on visit to HPS Group

During the traditional DLR delegation round on the opening day of the Space Tech Expo in Bremen, the head of the German Space Agency at DLR, Dr. Walther Pelzer, focused his attention on SMEs in the German space industry. Special attention was paid to the innovation forge HPS. And it was represented in groups: with HPS Germany (Munich), HPS Romania (Bucharest) and the joint venture company HPtex (Münchberg, Germany).

With reference to pioneering antenna projects such as HERA and EUCLID, company boss Ernst K. Pfeiffer emphasized the leading position Germany has gained in special antennas for space missions. HPS is also positioning itself as a leader in the commercial sector with the successful ADEO braking sail project, which ensures compliance with the new 5-year rule for satellite deorbiting and thus keeps the satellites ready for launch.

In his role as spokesman for German space SMEs, Ernst Pfeiffer also took this opportunity to emphasize the enormous importance of the DLR and ESA’s capability-enhancing technology programmes for SMEs as the innovation backbone of the industry. According to Pfeiffer, the precise promotion of the technological capabilities of SMEs via dedicated competition areas reserved for SMEs is irreplaceable.

Live demonstrations, e.g. of a functional model of the ADEO brake sail or a scaled model of a deployable large antenna reflector, supplemented by product demonstrations from HPS-Romania (e.g. radiator) and from HPtex’s MESH production (e.g. Ka-band mesh sample for use in the Copernicus mission CIMR) rounded off the visit program.

November 2024

HPS at SpaceTech Expo Bremen: Full product portfolio of the entire group of companies at the presentation area of the Bavarian space companies (booth no. J53)

In record time, SpaceTech Expo in Bremen has developed into the largest and most important space trade fair in Europe. This year’s event has over 700 exhibitors. With its rapid growth, SpaceTech Expo in Bremen is itself the best example of the rapidly increasing importance not only of space capabilities in general, but also of the young NewSpace companies that are making powerful inroads into the commercial and institutional markets for space products and services.

However, a very special role is played by those companies whose portfolio serves both the New and Classic Space sectors, thus building a bridge between the two in-house. One of the most prominent examples is the HPS Group.

This innovator in European space-tech, with its headquarters in Munich, subsidiary HPS Romania in Bucharest and joint venture partnership HPTex in Münchberg near Bayreuth, is bringing all the product evidence for this positioning to Bremen.

For example, institutional customers looking for European solutions for large deployable reflector subsystems will find them at HPS, which will ideally play a constitutive role in upcoming iconic ESA earth observation missions such as “Cryorad” and “Hydroterra”.

The heart of these subsystems is also produced in-house: HPTex GmbH weaves reflective mesh surfaces of all sizes for deployable antennas. In addition, HPTex – with its own stand in Bremen now for the first time – even produces stainless steel mesh for training purposes for customers from all over the world.

Two representatives from Bucharest will also be present in Bremen; the main focus here will be on secondary structures, thermal hardware (MLI, thermal straps, radiators), MGSE and purge equipment. All products are scalable for large missions as well as for small satellites and cubesat missions.

However, literally “floating” above the overall portfolio of the HPS presence in Bremen is the star product of HPS, which is currently causing a worldwide sensation like no other, especially interesting for customers from the NewSpace scene: ADEO, the brake sail for the automatic controlled deorbiting of disused satellites of almost any size at the end of their mission. The reason for the ADEO hype is as simple as it is obvious: without technical equipment to guarantee a deorbit limited to a maximum of 5 years, satellites will no longer receive approval for launch on LEO. One technical option is the “manually controlled” descent. However, in addition to considerable personnel resources, it also consumes up to 60 percent of the fuel that should actually keep the satellite in orbit for as long as possible so that it can earn its money in the first place. The other option is to install a deployable brake sail on the satellite at the end of the mission, which then automatically brings its host “home”. The industrial world market leader for this technology on all continents is HPS from Munich; a live demonstration of the deployment of a PICO-class ADEO will take place at SpaceTech Expo at a date yet to be determined. This could be a highlight for all interested new customers. The flood of inquiries about prices and interfaces speaks volumes.

HPS CEO Ernst K. Pfeiffer himself will be on site for the entire duration of the trade fair alongside the management level of the group from Romania and Germany; he has a firm opinion on the event both as the company boss and as a spokesperson for SMEs in the industry, represented by the AKRK and the “Best of Space” association: “Europe’s non-dependence and sovereignty through its space industry is more important than ever before, especially after the presidential election in the USA. What we will see here in Bremen is the antithesis to the far too widespread phlegm of a bureaucratized industry and to the “we can’t do anything anyway” attitude that has been creeping in for some years now: fresh ideas, brashly and cheekily driven forward – that’s what space travel needs, including the “Made in Germany” seal. NewSpace and Classic Space are mutually dependent and stimulate each other, because even the most disruptive developments need to be anchored in the familiar and proven. This is also what we at the HPS Group stand for.”

October 2024

Clean Space Days der ESA im Oktober: ADEO aus dem Hause HPS im Fokus

In 2024, the ESA’s Clean Space Team once again invited participants to the continuation of the past Clean Space Days.
The four-day event will focus on progress in the areas of eco-design, zero debris and in-orbit maintenance.
The calendar of presentations in 2024 will highlight these topics, among others:

• Life cycle assessment for space activities
• Deorbit technologies
• Debris disposal
• Disturbance-free skies for astronomy
• IOS missions
• Circular economy for space travel

While some presentations tended to highlight ideas and technical concepts in statu nascendi, HPS manager Frank Hoffmann presented the ADEO product family, which is already successful on the European and, more recently, North American markets: Deorbit sail technology for automatic self-disposal of the satellite at the end of the mission.
The ADEO system offers a suitably customized solution for every class of spacecraft, whether as a “Pico” (1-20 kg), “Cube” (5-50 kg), “Nano” (20-250 kg), “Medium” (100-700 kg) or even “Large” (500-1500 kg). To ensure that satellite manufacturers are supplied without delay, all orders are handled by HPS directly from series production wherever possible.

Due to the fact that the requirement to carry a suitable disposal system such as ADEO is a prerequisite for launch authorization for practically all satellites from October 2024, longer delivery times are possible and can be largely avoided by ordering early.

The Clean Space Days will come to an end at the end of the week, but the saying “after the event is before the event” also applies to this successful European space event.

October 2024

HERA on its way: Europe writing the next chapter of space history with HPS antenna

On Monday, October 7, 2024, the mission that will put Europe ahead of science fiction was launched in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 with the HERA satellite. After around three years of flight into deep space, the satellite will begin in 2027 to precisely document the consequences of the impact of the American DART mission to deflect the trajectory of the asteroid Dimorphos.

A central element of the HERA satellite is the X-band system from the German antenna specialist HPS (Munich): a complete antenna with a diameter of 1.2 meters made of highly stable carbon fibres, high eigenfrequenz with good reflectivity and also extremely low weight. For HPS, with its experience from major antenna projects such as the Euclid (ESA, direct client TAS-SP) and Heinrich-Hertz (DLR, direct client TESAT/OHB) missions, the antenna is proven technological terrain. Nevertheless, as the only link for scientific data between the satellite and the earth, the HPS antenna plays an enormously important role for the entire mission.

With a total mass of just 7.5 kg, it is basically a scaled-up version of the model that HPS built for ESA’s Euclid observatory, which already operates 1.5 million km from Earth. However, Hera’s antenna will have to cover much greater distances than Euclid, as it will transmit and receive over a maximum of 400 million km. To accomplish this, HPS’s high gain antenna amplifies its signal by more than 4000 times to reach Earth, focused to just half a degree, so that the entire spacecraft moves to align with its home planet.

For the flight and mission, the high-gain antenna is mounted on the outside of the spacecraft. There, it is thermally insulated from the extreme temperatures in space with a Kapton germanium sunshield, while the radio waves continue to pass through. “As engineers, we are known for staying focused on the facts and cool as Mr. Spock when dealing with the challenges facing our technology; but when the time actually comes for Europe to write space history with our antenna, then we too can be very proud and emotional,” said Ernst K. Pfeiffer, CEO of HPS.

Also, HPS-CTO Paolo Zolla was moved when he witnessed the launch live at Vandenburg Spaceport, California: “The launch was thrilling since our arrival in Florida, when the police officer at the airport told us a big hurricane will come soon. On launch day, it was raining really hard and the wind was blowing super strong. We thought the launch might get canceled. But then, just a few minutes before it was time to go, the rain stopped and the wind calmed down. The launch director said, ‘We’re good to go!’
The Falcon 9’s liftoff was a dramatic sight. Its nine engines ignited, slowly lifting the rocket before it rapidly accelerated, leaving a trail of flame and smoke. The ground rumbled as the rocket soared into the sky. Watching it disappear over the clouds, with the HERA spacecraft and ‘our’ antenna aboard, left a lasting impression—a mix of pride and the feeling of being part of an extraordinary mission.”

Oktober 2024

HPS Prominently Present at the IAC in Milano

Participating in the International Astronautical Congress, IAC, has developed into a good tradition at HPS over many years. This year, the company will be represented by Ernst K. Pfeiffer, CEO, together with ADEO project manager Mrs. Dorittya Milankowitch from HPS Munich and Horatiu Gheorghe as IAC-contact point for HPS Bucharest with products like secondary structures, thermal hardware and purging equipment. The HPS-team will keep up full presence during all five days of this international event.

Special highlights will be the company presentations; they are going to take place on Friday, 18th, from 10.15 to 10.45 a.m., and also as part of the Company Slam at the booth of the German association BDLI on Tuesday from 13.15 to 13.45 p.m..

Focus of both presentations will be on the product family of the ADEO deorbit sailsystem for automatic disposal of satellites after their end of mission, serving the idea of clean space, sustainability and debris avoidance even from the beginning of the satellite´s journey.

Main products besides ADEO to be asked at our booth: reflector antennas, deployable antennas, large deployable reflector subsystems, mesh, thermal hardware, purging equipment. HPS will warmly welcome there all its customers from both worlds: classic and NewSpace. For a dedicated prearranged business meeting please send a message to Contact@hps-gmbh.com.