Aerospace
The space industry demands connection technologies that are flawless – T&G Elektro can provide them.
The requirements on components and cable systems for usage in space are very unique and demanding and need to achieve highest scores for:
- Highly variable temperatures
- Shock resistant
- Low insertion loss
- Low mass and small size
- Low mass loss due outgassing
- Irradiation resistant
When ESA was looking for experienced manufacturers of interconnection solutions, T&G Elektro took an opportunity and included the space industry into its business profile. Since then T&G Elektro have been constantly improving its fiber optical products to adapt to this rapidly developing sector.
To be present in that market, it requires a lot of research and innovation, as fiber optical harnesses need to be designed and manufactured in a way that will withstand harsh space environment conditions like exposure to extreme heat and cold cycling, ultra-vacuum, atomic oxygen and high energy radiation.
Our goal is to be an expert in developing, testing and qualifying fiber optic assemblies for projects within ESA and avionics.
ESA PROJECT
In this project T&G Elektro will develop, test and qualify fiber optical cable assemblies with European components which shall be suitable for future space missions. The project is one of several partial development projects within ESA for qualification of fiber optical technologies for the next generation of space equipments.
Contractual No.: 4000102493/11/NL/RA
Name: Evaluation of optic fibre cable assembly
Project Start: 03.01.2011
In an earlier project, T&G Elektro received funding from the Norwegian Space Centre
(now – Norwegian Space Agency) for the development and research of enhanced fiber
optical technology implementation and production processes for space operations in
2009-2010. Thanks to the support from the Norwegian Space Centre, T&G was granted
knowledge and introduction to several networks in the space industry in Norway and
Europe.
In 2005 the space activity began and we knew that this is the industry we want to be
part of. When working with traditional fiber optical production processes back in
2007-2008, we understood that they are not enough for space mission requirements.
Although, over time we developed our own production technology of fibre optics that
meet strict specifications. This was our first step to reaching our ambition of becoming
an expert on space application components.
User requirements shall be collected and evaluated. User requirement shall be used as test requirements for the production of the test plans. Based on user input and available European produced parts, it will be a recommendation of assemblies that shall be tested. A procurement list shall be issued, including all parts/assembles necessary to complete the recommended tests. Phase 1 tasks and work packages:
Task 1: Review of the requirements and proposition for procurement
WP1100: Critical review of the requirements
WP1200: Technology survey and selection
Task 2: Standards update and preparation of an ETP
WP2100: Existing Standards & Specification review and TM first update
WP2200: Preparation of an ETP
Produce and test the assemblies according to documentation developed in phase 1. Fiber optic assembly’s tests shall be documented and it shall be a recommendation of suitability for future use in space applications. Phase 2 tasks and work packages:
Task 3: Procurement & assembly, evaluation testing, results analysis
WP3100: Procurement & Assembly
WP3200: Evaluation testing
WP3300: Result analysis and TM final update
