To address the changing needs of the space industry, the EU has funded a collaborative R&D project called SAMMBA (Standard And Modular Microlauncher Base services). Its objective is to offer standardized, modular, and cost-effective launch base services to support the increasing demand for small satellite launches in Europe.

CT is actively participating in this initiative as a member of the H2020 consortium, which includes German MT Aerospace, French Air Liquide Advanced Technology, Spanish EURECAT (Technology Center of Catalonia), GTD sistemas de información, and Belgian SpaceTec Partners.

In this evolving space environment, characterized by small, cost-effective actors, it is essential to adapt spaceports worldwide to accommodate smaller launchers. CT Paris has contributed its expertise in system engineering and innovation, leveraging its extensive knowledge of the space environment.

CT has played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the project and identifying its system requirements. This entailed leading the definition of SAMMBA’s high-level system requirements through model-based system engineering (MBSE) and ensuring their successful implementation.

Developing the first modular launch base service deployable at multiple spaceports requires innovation and strategic vision. CT leads the innovation working group and is establishing the building blocks for innovation tasks. To create a technology roadmap for SAMMBA, CT analyzed the technical and economic value of global solutions and also provided business insights to fully understand the market. Finally, CT carried out a cost analysis of the project.

According to the project manager, Sophie Missonnier, “CT has been deeply involved in the consortium over the past year, overseeing the proof-of-concepts of SAMMBA subsystems developed by partners in their respective fields of expertise, and ensuring the focus on system relevance and the seamless operational interface between subsystems.”

The CT Paris team is contributing its prior experience in NewSpace green solutions, particularly in the realm of hybrid-powered launch systems. They have actively participated in the H2020-funded project ENVOL (European NewSpace Vertical Orbital Launcher), which introduced an environmentally friendly and cost-effective NewSpace orbital launcher concept.

Interoperability and predictability. CT ensures the safety of SAMMBA’ s satellites launch services by integrating them with its own Operational Decision Aid Platform, LAB METOC.

The consortium succeeded in meeting its main objective by designing a mock-up that demonstrates the interoperability of the prototype technologies and systems through the standardization of interfaces and protocols.

The mock-up interfaces with the LAB METOC meteorological awareness tool (CT), the transport and docking system AGV (EUT), the scheduling tool and Blockchain data base (EUT), the Erector mechanical system (MTA), the fluid IoT sensor network (ALAT) and the IT virtual cluster (GTD).

Two use cases have been identified to test the added-value of the demonstrator in spaceport operations, in terms of campaign time, cost and flexibility:

• Launch Complex (or Mission Control Center) anomaly during operations
• Change of conditions in launch range

Operational situation during the last 8 days of a launch campaign (output from LAB_METOC).

The demonstrators show that the best way to reduce installation and maintenance costs is to implement a single launchpad control system in charge of monitoring all the facilities involved in a launch. Therefore, SAMMBA’s Monitoring & Control centralizes the monitoring and control tasks for the mechanical and fluidic equipment.

The dedicated papers presented at the Ground-Based Space Facilities (GBSF) conference in December 2022 raised the interest of the main European spaceports and some launch service providers. The results of SAMMBA align with the spaceport roadmap for the coming years, allowing them to upgrade their capabilities in subsequent development phases, from first maiden flights to full operations.

You can read the full article about“SAMMBA H2020: Ground Services based on 4.0 technologies for NewSpace launch systems” for more information.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870451, for 3 years, starting in January 2020. The SAMMBA consortium is comprised of top players in the field: CT Engineering Group, GTD System & Software Engineering, Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, EURECAT, SpaceTec Partners and MT Aerospace.

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• CT will announce the construction of the INSIDeR ground demonstrator, and the set-up of an industrial consortium, as well as the seeking of the necessary financing for the flight demonstration stage. A prototype is expected to be placed in orbit by the end 2024/early 2025.
• INSIDeR is an innovative, safe, simple and adaptable solution for Active Debris Removal (ADR), patented by CT, and is the result of 15 years’ development, co-financed by the CNES and the European Space Agency (ESA).
  
• CT’s European R+D team is responsible for the design of the system and for coordinating technical teams.

The emergence of NewSpace enterprises and the significant numbers of constellations both deployed and/or planned will exponentially grow the amount of objects in orbit, leading to an increased risk of collision and creation of new debris.

Collisions and explosions in the orbital zone between 700 to 1,100 km above the earth have created a staggering amount of debris: 34+ Thousand items measuring over 10 cm that can be tracked; 1 Million pieces larger than 1 cm, still capable of damaging a satellite; and 130 Million pieces of debris smaller than 1 cm.

INSIDeR ADR solution key features and advantages

• ADR solution able to adapt to a wide range of debris: the size of the net can be adjusted to debris of any size and shape and its inflatable structure can also be adapted depending on the mission in question.
• Simplicity of development. Its concept is based on a combination of two simple technologies, a capture net & an inflatable structure, that have already been tested and approved in space and qualified and tested on the ground, thus reducing development costs.
• INSIDeR, designed in KIT form, can be plugged-in to a satellite that is on its own particular mission.
• Secure system linked to several control points during the approach phase so that the capture sequence can be validated, and capable of manoeuvring and avoidance until the moment of contact with the debris.
• Integrated industrial solution easy to deploy on satellite constellations and enables a new satellite to return with old space junk, meeting the needs of both the satellite and launcher industries.

A complimentary partnership for innovation and sustainable development

CT’s European R+D team is responsible for the design of the system and for coordinating Michelin’s technical teams, a unique partner in the project. Michelin’s contribution to the project centres on two specific areas of its expertise: research in modelling and materials, and that of its industry in the field of inflatable structures inflatable structures (AirCaptif).

CT is a leading engineering company in technological innovation over the entire product life cycle, with R&D engineers specialising in the space sector. Its French teams, based in Guyancourt, are the inventors of INSIDeR and will be supporting the project through the completion of the prototype flight.

According to Jesus Prieto, CT President and CEO : “R&D and Innovation are part of CT’s DNA, with over 50+ innovation projects yearly and numerous links and consortiums with industrialists, start-ups and research laboratories. This new project with Michelin as a partner illustrates our ability to be a proactive force, capable of offering our clients innovative solutions and at the same time enabling our engineers to continue honing and enhancing their skills.”

AirCaptif, a Michelin company, is an innovative French start-up based at Elancourt with unique know-how and skills. It designs and manufactures in France inflatable solutions with modular assembly that are ultra-light and resistant.

It manages the whole value chain from design stage to maintenance, assisted by modern industrial methods and means that enable the company to meet the prototype or serial production needs of their B2B and B2C clients. Breaking with traditional methods (such as metallic structures, PVC, high pressure, air blast) AirCaptif designs are practical, economical and sustainable while also retaining aesthetic considerations and individually specified criteria. Their simple solutions for use are 10 times less heavy than metallic-textile alternatives and 4 times less than PVC inflatables and in particular they use a single inflation point for rapid implementation.

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Our experts will work on the design of the passive antennas for the satellite, strengthening our partnership with Airbus in space programs that began more than a decade ago.

CT’s recent collaboration in the thermal and mechanical design of the BADR-8 antennas, which were a turning point in the conceptual design of passive antenna, improving standardization processes, and optimizing costs and deadlines, will be useful in our work with EUTELSAT.

BADR-8 supposed a change with respect the previous telecommunications programs in which CT also participates such as: Egypsat, SES10, SES12, and many others.

CT’s selection for this project is the result of our wide experience in space programs, not only in telecommunication satellites, but also in meteorological satellites such as Metop-SG, science satellites such us JUICE, and launchers, such as ARIANE. Programs where CT have contributed their knowledge in mechanical and thermal analysis and design.

CT’s contributions in quality and time have made us a key partner to satellite manufacturers, such as Airbus and OHB.

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