Publish Date : 28-Oct-2014
Today, in the presence of Reinhold Gall, Minister of the Interior in Baden-Wu rttemberg, Airbus Defence and Space, the world’s second largest space company, began operations at its new integration centre for satellite propulsion components and sub-systems in Lampoldshausen. More than 2.5 million euros have been invested in the new building, increasing the available production area from approximately 2,500 to 3,100 square metres. The new centre enables the integration of larger components and systems. “Airbus Defence and Space has now been developing, producing and testing space propulsion components and systems in Lampoldshausen for 50 years. The new integration hall means that we are now in a position to efficiently expand our integration capabilities and possibilities in respect of propulsion solutions for the global market,” said Josef Ko cher, Lampoldshausen Site Manager and the Head of Orbital and Electrical Propulsion.
“Today, more than 300 highly qualified people work for Airbus Defence and Space in Lampoldshausen, developing propulsion components and systems for our customers worldwide. The expansion of the clean room integration area enables us to better respond to the globally increasing need for complete propulsion system solutions. The strategy of focusing not only on components, but also on propulsion sub-systems with the corresponding engineering and other services, is gradually paying off.” The site’s broad product portfolio focuses on space propulsion systems, encompassing both chemical and electrical.
Rarely is a European satellite launched nowadays whose propulsion components do not come from Lampoldshausen. Airbus Defence and Space provides customised space propulsion solutions, ranging from individual system components such as small thrusters right up to complete propulsion systems. More than 230 satellites are in operation thanks to the contribution made by Airbus Defence and Space in Lampoldshausen. The company’s product portfolio also comprises propulsion solutions for attitude control systems, such as for the upper stage of the Ariane 5 as well as for spacecraft like the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). In doing so, the company covers the entire value-added chain, from development, production and integration to engine and system tests, all the way up to services such as the fuelling of satellites. As well as chemical propulsion systems, Airbus Defence and Space in Lampoldshausen also develop electric propulsion thruster technology. With the radio-frequency ion thruster assembly, the company’s engineers have created the technology to enable efficient means of operating satellites and probes in space using high specific impulses, while at the same time keeping fuel consumption very low.
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