Mai 2022
HPS Space News
MoU of Space SMEs Aviosonic and HPS to join forces fighting space debris – right in time for Europe´s new constellation Iris2
Aviosonic´s patented DeCAS for tracking and re-entry footprint prediction extending high-tech-lead of Europe´s satellite deorbit system “ADEO” unassailably
(Munich-Milano, May 10th, 2023). At testified TRL-9 and with solid flight heritage the sail system “ADEO” already is the leading device for quickly deorbiting almost all satellites, thus preventing spacecrafts after their end of mission from becoming as well as producing new space junk for years to come. Because it is a sail, it does not produce any pollution itself, chemical or otherwise, and because this very sail will be in its next version also transparent and absolutely non-reflective, it does not cause any irritations to any space observer on earth. Munich based spacetech innovator HPS, a medium sized company with a subsidiary in Romania and a total headcount of 80, has invested – together with several institutional and industrial partners – 12 years of constant development and qualifying into ADEO, and is now ready to take yet another giant leap by joining innovative forces with Aviosonic Space Tech, Milan/Italy.
Aviosonic Space Tech, born in 2015, owns the patented DeCAS system (Debris Collision Alert System) for in-orbit/de-orbit tracking and re-entry footprint prediction of space vehicles. DeCAS is a 1U mm system which always maintains a constant link with the ground operation center allowing precise information on the satellite position, aliong with the calculation of the re-entry footprint in real time, with the aim of collision avoidance between satellites, satellites and aircrafts as well as to alert government agencies. The technical characteristics and modularity allow DeCAS to be installed on any space vehicle, offering different services depending on the mission requirements. DeCAS, which took part in different space missions, provides a unique service for satellite tracking, decommissioning and re-entry prediction in real-time.
Prof. Piermarco Martegani, CEO of Aviosonic Space Tech says:”The integration between DeCAS and ADEO allows the creation of a unique product on the market capable of strongly implementing the safety of space operations both during orbital and decommissioning re-entry phses, even in the event of failure of the hosting satellite. This safety information is also needed by the Air Traffic Management System. The collaboration between Aviosonic Space Tech and HPS is the demonstration that in order to guarantee safety during space operations, an international cooperation between SMEs is necessary.”
HPS-CEO Ernst K. Pfeiffer shows bulletproof confidence in the future of ADEO on the world market and emphasizes: “ADEO has all the facts on its side: first, all space industry badly needs a deorbit device like ADEO, since the faster the sail opens free orbit positions, the longer we can keep space as a sustainable surrounding. And, from second to infinite: ADEO combines TRL9 and flight heritage, offers a comprehensive range of models, beats economically as well as ecologically any other type of deorbit device, also it is already in serial production at HPS. And now we even join forces with the two outstanding innovators in their fields, and others will join, underlining once again what´s at the core of ADEO: 100 percent European, 100 percent SME, 100 percent sustainability in space – and exactly what Europe wants for Iris2.”
Contact for further information:
HPS: Dr. Daniel Stelzl, stelzl@hps-gmbh.com
Aviosonic: Prof. Piermarco Martegani, Piermarco.Martegani@aviosonic.it
ADEO Dossier: German: (https://www.hps-gmbh.com/tag/adeo/)
ADEO Dossier: English: (https://www.hps-gmbh.com/en/tag/adeo-en/)
Video: https://youtu.be/pUeSZzdn_6c
April 2023
All Launch Windows are closing for Satellites Without ADEO or Equivalent Deorbit Tech
After FCC, SpaceX, and ESA now also the three German startups racing for the smaller launchers` pole position in the commercial market made it clear that tickets to space will be available only to satellites prepared to be able to deorbit quickly after service.
The companies made their points recently in statements to the German space magazine “Raumfahrt Concret”.
For more details see: RCI-Newsletter-1-2023.pdf (hps-gmbh.com)
Ernst K. Pfeiffer, CEO of HPS, the German spacetech company that has developed ADEO to become the number 1 deorbit device for spacecrafts on the market, comments: “While we witness many cases of exorbitant differences in opinions when it comes to principles the space industry should follow, it is with great relief that we see this case ruled by unanimous voices echoing the new green spirit of deorbit from everywhere.”
July 2022
Flight of ADEO at the end of 2022
At the height of the summer vacations, HPS in Munich is at full power for the preparations for the third mission of the innovative ADEO space braking sail, which deploys automatically at the end of the mission and propels “its” satellite up to 20 times faster to burn in the atmosphere. This avoids pollution and makes space travel sustainable.
It will arrive in Italy as early as the end of August for assembly on the ION Satellite Carrier, D-Orbit’s orbital transfer vehicle (OTV). It is the ADEO-N version for small satellites with a sail area of 5 square meters.
Falcon 9 from SpaceX will be responsible for the transport into a mid-inclination orbit towards the end of 2022. With the flight heritage accumulated by the end of the year, ADEO will enter a new space age in 2023.
At least for European missions or missions from Europe, there will most likely be no more launches without deorbit technology on board:
The EU’s Green Deal then also applies to clean-green missions in space.
June 2022
Breaking News: ADEO dragsail by HPS as standard deorbit device for “Reflex Aerospace satellites”
Next milestone in commercializing ADEO dragsail for deorbit:
Reflex Aerospace (supplier of tailor made, high performance small satellite platforms) announces to use the automatic ADEO dragsail by HPS as standard deorbit device for their satellites. ADEO will guarantee a maximum deorbiting time of less than 5 years and contribute to Reflex Aerospace´s philosophy of responsible, sustainable and future-oriented space missions. Together we realize CleanGreen Space missions!
Story of success with HPS onboard: EnMAP
May 2022
German Satellite EnMAP sends first pictures
The EnMAP hyperspectral imaging Satellite for VNIR/SWIR has successfully been launched on April 1st.
Now, the first images presented by Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) demonstrates the excellent performance of the system.
HPS (DE) is proud of being on board of this great mission with the
- extremely light-weighted Telescope Baffle (as subcontractor to the Mission Prime OHB System) and with
- Thermal H/W for the Apperture Diffusor Mechanism (in contract to Beyond Gravity).
HPS contributed also partly with its structural and thermal #engineering expertise during various EnMAP Phases.
More information about the mission can be found on:
https://www.dlr.de/content/de/artikel/news/2022/02/20220504_deutscher-umweltsatellit-enmap-sendet-erste-bilder.html?fbclid=IwAR38A-lRFhXnyqKJMIq3cTEHmPyeyMwotOXBRxR_78S9ww8rnBIuJSi3o1I
More information about our product can be found on: https://www.hps-gmbh.com/portfolio/subsystem-integrals/lightweight-structures-2/
©DLR
March 2022
LDRS successfully passed the Requirements Review #2
Following, in 2021, the successful passing of both the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer (CIMR) System Requirements Review and the Large Deployable Reflector Subsystem (LDRS) TRL 5 Declaration milestones, our CIMR-LDRS team has now successfully passed, in March 2022, the LDRS Requirements Review #2. Design requirements for the Ka-band LDRS EQM are now frozen and the EQM detailed design can begin.
Upcoming major milestones in 2022 include both the LDRS ICD Freeze and the LDRS TRL 6 Declaration this Summer, followed by the LDRS PDR planned in Q4, 2022. An important part of the LDRS TRL 6 Declaration milestone is the successful execution of Environmental Test campaign of the 8m diameter LEOB-EM Deployable Reflector by our partner, LSS, being performed at INTA (SP) under the Prime Contract leadership of HPS. Random and Sine Vibration testing is complete and Thermal Vacuum testing is currently in-progress.
CIMR is part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Copernicus program and on CIMR, HPS-Germany is the Prime Contractor for the LDRS under direct contract to the Mission Prime, Thales Alenia Space-Italy. HPS is working closely with its partner, LSS, as the Large Deployable Reflector responsible, and 15 other subcontractors and suppliers from 7 European nations to produce the first-ever all-European LDRS.
December 2021
World premiere: Deorbit-Turbosail „ADEO“ by HPS has been selected to safeguard sustainability of Europe´s own constellation
By 2025, Europe will have its own constellation of satellites to ensure sovereign capacity for both commercial and institutional communication channels. Fast Internet, autonomous mobility at sea, on ground and in the air, automatic exchange of information between technical installations, support for military and humanitarian actions, and other applications for public authorities, companies, and citizens realised by a consortium formed by Reflex, laser specialist Mynaric and launch service provider Isar Aerospace.
The European Commission is also very interested in such a concentration of innovative forces and selected the UN:IO consortium for one of its two study tenders addressed to companies from the so-called “New Space” domain and endowed with 1.4 million euros. For the EU, a secure, very fast and, above all, sovereign communications network for Europe is a top priority. In addition, it must meet sustainability criteria for the EU’s “Green Deal” – and that is where ADEO comes in: The ADEO subsystem is a scalable, deployable drag augmentation device that uses the residual Earth atmosphere present in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to passively de-orbit satellites between 1 to 1.500 kg. For the de-orbit manoeuvre, a large surface is deployed which multiplies the drag effect of the satellite´s surface significantly: The drag force is increased causing accelerated decay in orbit altitude. Advantageous about a drag augmentation device is that it does not require any active steering and can be designed for passive attitude stabilization, thereby making it also applicable for non-operational, tumbling spacecrafts. The passive ADEO subsystem requires neither extra propulsion nor engine, which makes it lighter in comparison to active subsystems.
So, after years of development, tests and zero-g- and in-orbit-verifications ADEO is now going to celebrate its world premiere as central element bringing sustainability to space on angel wings.
August 2021
HPS receives final GO to build HERA antenna which is to broadcast deep space showdown in 2024
The first defense mission of planet Earth against asteroid aggressors from space will be broadcasted live through an antenna in deep space built by Munich-based aerospace company HPS. It prevailed in two competitive preliminary design phase contracts within Europe.
Experts are convinced that the HPS model offers the highest possible signal stability thanks to its extreme resistance to deformation in orbit and OHB Bremen, prime of the ESA mission, submitted this week the respective „Approval to proceed“ (ATP) to HPS for the rest of the development. The antenna must be delivered in November 2022 for the mission start in 2024. The schedule is tough: the critical design review will take place as early as September.
See also full story here: https://www.hps-gmbh.com/hera-high-noon-in-deep-space/
LEA-X5: New Movie on the completion of the European 5m X-band LDRS
Juli 2021
Gladly we announce with a new 20-minutes-movie the completion of the H2020-development „LEA-X5“, the 5m class European Large Deployable Reflector Subsystem (LDRS) operating in X-band.
The film itself is of course showing recent environmental and deployment tests, but it is mainly about PEOPLE, who are space engineers and space enthusiasts, and what they can achieve with combined powers and brains. These people, together with the enablers European Commission and European Space Agency, are making the achievement of „European Non-dependance“ happen.
LEA-X5 is a full LDRS-Subsystem (lead by HPS, Germany) and comprises the
- 5m diameter X-band reflector assembly (lead by LSS, Germany)
- the 5m long deployable arm assembly (lead by HPS, Germany),
- hinges & HDRMs (RUAG, DE),
- deployment electronics (vH&S, DE),
- thermal hardware (HPS/FHP).
Further partners of the H2020-consortium have been: INVENT (DE), FHP (PT), INEGI (PT), TICRA (DK), LUMA (SW), HPTEX (DE), ARQUIMEA(SP), HPS (RO), ETAMAX (DE), WSS (DE), ONERA (FR), TAS (FR), OHB (DE), Airbus (DE).
Most of the consortium members are introduced in the movie, inluding many interviews.
Take your time and enjoy the spirit of doing big things: LEA-X5 – European 5m X-band LDRS Completed (Final Report 06/2021) – YouTube
Best regards,
Your WeLEA-Consortium
