[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Airborne Aerospace has been selected by Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands to develop and manufacture the substrate panels for the solar array of JUICE, the European Space Agency’s mission to Jupiter and its icy moons.
After its launch in 2022 and a journey that will last eight years, the JUICE satellite is due to circle Jupiter for three years, observing and mapping the turbulent atmosphere of the planet, as well as its three moons. With a total of 100m2 the satellite will be equipped with the largest solar array ever flown on an interplanetary mission. These are necessary to generate sufficient power at the given extreme distance from the Sun.
Special equipment for special solar array
Both wings of the solar array Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands is developing for JUICE will include five solar panels of an exceptionally large size. To be able to produce the 10m2 surface per panel, the largest ones Airborne has manufactured to date, the substrate specialist modified its manufacturing equipment. The maximum inside diameter of the autoclave for example has been extended from 2.6m to 2.9m. Together with its length of 13 meters, the extended autoclave enables Airborne to produce more XL size panels for aerospace customers, with that further strengthening its market position in European substrate panels.
Combining Dutch strengths for new solar panel technology
The solar array of JUICE will be built with the new ARA Mk4 technology, which has been developed and qualified by Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands in close cooperation with Airborne. The ARA Mk4 development program builds on the strong heritage in developing solar arrays. By taking materials, the design and building process to the next level the new technology allows for 20 percent cost reduction and increases the robustness of the solar array by expanding the temperature range and adding stiffness. The technology was first qualified by Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands and Airborne for the ARA Mk4 panels of satellite EDRS-C.
According to Sandor Woldendorp – Business Development Manager Space at Airborne:
“What we have achieved together with Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands is a good example of what brings us closer towards Airborne’s ambition to make composite structures affordable, also for highly challenging space missions.”
The extreme temperatures to which the satellite will be exposed near Jupiter (-240 deg Celsius) make additional qualification necessary, for which Airborne is manufacturing 160 qualification test samples and two full-size panels. The qualification samples shall demonstrate that the panel design and its interfaces will survive the harsh conditions during the JUICE mission. The samples and full-size panels are due for delivery in January 2017, after which an intensive test campaign will be started by Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands. The manufacturing of the ten flight panels is planned for 2019.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]