 EnlargeAstronaut Frank De Winne using QinetiQ equipment on the International Space Station (Photo: NASA) |
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In addition to our mission assurance and support work for NASA through a number of their centres, we develop robust technological solutions to the many challenges presented by operating sophisticated mission systems in space. These include:
- Development of micro gravity payloads, including bioracks, centrifuges and computer systems, for ESA and international researchers to utilise on the International Space Station (ISS)
- Developing, with ESA and NASA, a docking system destined for the International Space Station and other applications to reduce the ‘shock’ of docking and enable larger satellite constellations to be locked together
- Refining the use of laser technology to control satellites in very accurate constellations, vital for producing larger antennas for deep space science observatories
- Developing satellite payloads, including frequency monitoring instruments, to minimise interference with satellite operations
- Radiation monitoring systems that allow us to model, design and test equipment to successfully operate in the harsh space radiation environments
- Provision of deep space communications transponders for ESA and NASA science missions, enabling the reliable operation of planetary rovers as already demonstrated on Mars
Our downstream services and solutions include the REDU facility in southern Belgium that we operate on behalf of ESA, in partnership with SES Astra, providing telemetry and telecommand services for ESA and commercial satellite operators.
We also provide security to space systems and operators, including:
- Tracking maritime targets for ESA and the EU
- Development of the Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) receiver security module, plus security consultancy support to the EU Galileo Service Authority
- Risk assessment toolset development for space systems insurers
- Asset tracking via GPS and commercial communication satellite services