ESA Awards €1 Million for Innovation Project by HPS, AAC, and DLR

The European Space Agency (ESA) has allocated €1 million for a groundbreaking technology project led by Munich-based space technology company HPS, in partnership with Wiener Neustadt’s Aerospace & Advanced Composites GmbH (AAC) and the DLR Institute of Space Systems in Bremen. This project is the first of its kind under ESA’s new “Product Initiative,” a sub-program of the General Support Technology Programme (GSTP), which is focused on promoting innovative technologies, especially those developed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The contract for this project was officially signed on August 7, 2024, marking the culmination of just over six months of preparation. AAC and HPS are contributing 20% of the project’s funding from their own resources. Over the next 24 months, the consortium will work on developing a series of advanced films, tentatively named “ProFilm,” featuring various thicknesses and surface configurations designed for large-area applications.

Key Features and Applications:

1. ATOX Resistance: The films are engineered to resist chemically aggressive residual oxygen molecules (ATOX), making them particularly suitable for use in the highly trafficked Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region.
2. Invisibility and Non-Reflectiveness: Certain derivatives of the films are designed to be invisible or non-reflective, expanding their potential applications.

These films are expected to have significant applications beyond thermal insulation for satellites. They are also being developed as invisible brake sails, an evolution of the HPS ADEO product line, designed to deorbit decommissioned satellites.

Strategic Goals for European Space:

1. Technological Independence: The project aims to secure Europe’s technological independence in space, particularly in areas where other major spacefaring nations have already advanced.
2. Support for European Manufacturers: By providing superior physical protection, these innovations will enhance the competitiveness of European spacecraft and satellite manufacturers.
3. Reduction of Light Pollution: The non-reflective surfaces will help avoid light pollution in space, which is detrimental to astronomical observations. Potential applications include dragsails, thermal insulation (such as MLIs and SLIs), solar panels, and radiators.
4. Stealth Technology: The project explores ideas for deployable structures that could render entire satellites invisible using ProFilm.

AAC CEO Christoph Auner expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the rapid and effective response of ESA in identifying and addressing technical challenges. He emphasized that this initiative exemplifies the kind of innovation that European space exploration needs, particularly driven by SMEs. The collaboration between HPS, DLR, and AAC is expected to yield highly exciting products, further advancing Europe’s capabilities in space technology.