https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Airbus goes big on 3D printing for satellite contract

Computer image of an Eurostar Neo satellite in orbit

Computer image of an Eurostar Neo satellite in orbit

Photo by Airbus

10th February 2021

By: Rebecca Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

Font size: - +

Europe-based global major aerospace group Airbus is now engaged in large volume manufacturing of radio frequency (RF) components for satellites using additive layer manufacturing (ALM). Also known simply as additive manufacturing, ALM is popularly called 3D printing.

RF components are of course fundamental for telecommunications satellites. Airbus has now manufactured 500 such components, comprising multi-waveguide blocks and switch assembly networks. Produced at Airbus Defence and Space’s facility in Portsmouth in the UK, they are for two Eurostar Neo spacecraft for Eutelsat. 

(Eutelsat is one of the world’s major telecommunications satellite operators. Formed as an international organisation in 1977, Eutelsat was transformed into a private company in 2001. It became a public listed company in 2005.)

The two new satellites, like their predecessors for Eutelsat, will operate under the designation ‘Hotbirds’. They will be launched this year to strengthen and improve its TV broadcasting services across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

“This is recognised as the first large-scale deployment of RF products using the ALM process, and it puts us in an industry-leading position for the technology’s application in producing radio frequency components,” highlighted Airbus Defence and Space Hotbird Payload manager Gareth Penlington. The Portsmouth team created innovative designs for the RF components that were to be made using ALM. The process ran from the first concepts through patenting, industrialisation and successful qualification.

The communications module for the first of the new Hotbirds was transferred from Portsmouth to Toulouse in France earlier this month. The final assembly of the complete satellite is undertaken in the French city. The assembly of the second new Hotbird communications module is currently taking place in Portsmouth, with its testing due to start this month.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

Egoli Gas (Pty) Ltd
Egoli Gas (Pty) Ltd

As a reticulator, Egoli Gas provides natural gas to homes and businesses via underground pipes.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
ATI Systems
ATI Systems

ATI systems comprises five divisions: electrical assemblies, drives and controls, feedback sensors, enclosures, and strip guiding.

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.066 1.288s - 122pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now