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For use with conventional satellite propellants, our products
and services range from individual components, such as fill
valves, piping, propellant
tanks, surface
tension tanks and thrusters, through to complete propulsion
systems. Our services include engine
testing, design and development, manufacturing,
analytical
engineering, test cell design and maintenance, provision
of Ground Support Equipment and safety
equipment, launch
support, propellant
transport and delivery to launch sites throughout the
world. Also, consultancy on all aspects of satellite propulsion.
Unified Propulsion Systems
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Our Unified
Propulsion Systems have become a standard used by satellite operators
around the world.
The 'unified' term is attributed to the simple and
efficient use of a common propellant tank system that feeds both
the apogee engine, as well as the clusters of miniature attitude
control thrusters. The unified satellite propulsion system is therefore
compact, relatively lightweight and enables maximum possible use
of the available propellants.
Our first UPS system was developed for NASA's interplanetary
space probe Galileo,
launched in 1989.
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Propulsion Systems for a Diversity of Missions
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Our Showcase
features a selection of past, present and future propulsion systems
used for orbital and attitude control of Geostationary satellites,
interplanetary and deep space missions, launch vehicle roll control,
upper stage attitude control, re-entry vehicles, and automated resupply
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Recent news on programmes using propulsion from Lampoldshausen is
shown in our News page, which also provides
links to world space news.
ATV - ESA's Automatic Resupply Vessel.
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Image courtesy: ESA
Automated
Transfer Vehicle
approaching the ISS.
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The Lampoldshausen centre is also responsible for the production,
integration and acceptance testing of the Automated
Transfer Vehicle (ATV) propulsion module pressure control assemblies
(PCA), propellant Isolation Assembly (PIA) and the attitude control
thruster clusters (ACS and FACS). Testing will be performed at the
P2 test facility.
The ATV is an automatic resupply vessel that will be used to replenish
stores and logistics for the International Space Station. This European
craft provides an alternative means to the US Space Shuttle for resupplying
the International Space Station. Due to its proximity manoeuvres
and docking to the Space Station, the propulsion system is of necessity
man-rated. The ATV will also be used for Space Station orbit raising
as well as for the removal of redundant and waste materials.
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Space Trips with Ion Thrusters
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Radiofrequency Ion Thruster (RITA)
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In response to the propulsive needs of satellite manufacturers
and operators, we have developed a Radio-frequency Ion Thruster Assembly
(RITA).
The outstanding features of RITA includes a specific impulse in
the range 3000 to 5000 seconds, adjustable thrust from 15 to 135%,
operating life greater than 20,000 hours and the use of 85% less
propellant than bipropellant thrusters. These attributes enable a
significant saving in a satellite's propulsion mass and volume that
can be used for more payload and / or reduced launch cost. For example,
a 4100 kg spacecraft in GEO using conventional propellants over its
15 year life would save around 574 kg in propellant mass by using
RITA. Alternatively, the saving may be used for extending satellite
service life for which the RITA thruster is designed.
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Roll Control for the Ariane Launcher
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Ariane 5 Roll Control
and ACS Thruster Cluster
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Small thrusters from Lampoldshausen are not just used for orbital
and attitude control of satellites, but also for launch vehicle ascent
control.
The Attitude Control System (ACS) of Ariane 5 is used for roll
control of the first stage, after separation of the solid-propellant
boosters, and thus ensures the accurate ascent of the launch vehicle.
In orbit, the same ACS is also responsible for the exact positioning
and attitude of the Ariane 5 upper stage before the separation of
each payload.
Our largest 400 N hydrazine thruster is the smallest engine used
on the Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
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Tank Systems for Zero Gravity
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We have been developing and producing propellant tanks for over
20 years now, for all sorts of different applications in space.
In the forefront are satellite tanks, both for large satellites
in geostationary orbit and for small satellites in low Earth orbit
(LEO).
We also supply propellant tanks for the attitude control system
of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle and are responsible for the development
of propellant tanks for the ATV.
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