Reflex Aerospace To Commence Manufacturing After Successful Feasibility Study with AMBER

• Reflex Aerospace has finalized a feasibility study and signed a contract with the Fraunhofer Institute to begin manufacturing as a part of the ESAF project.

 

• The ESAF project will use additive manufacturing and generative design to improve star tracker performance.

 

• ESAF was selected by AMBER (Additive Manufacturing Berlin Brandenburg) to receive state and European Union regional development funds.

Berlin, Germany, 5 September 2023  

Reflex Aerospace heralds a new dawn for satellite accuracy and efficiency with the successful completion of the first milestone of its trailblazing project, “Entwicklung einer integrativen Satellitenstruktur durch Einsatz Additiver Fertigungsverfahren,” or ESAF.


In a pioneering step that promises to redefine satellite external pointing precision, ESAF’s advanced techniques can drastically increase the accuracy of instruments like star trackers and antennas. By combining the power of generative design—which uses AI-driven optimization processes to design components—and additive manufacturing, ESAF is primed to introduce significant reductions in mass, production time, and cost.


Central to this breakthrough is the integration of sensors directly into the satellite component during the printing process. This innovative approach, unmatched in the current market, will offer precise measurements of internal deformations caused by temperature fluctuations. Collaborating with the esteemed Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik ILT, the only institute with the prowess to embed sensors within 3D printed parts, Reflex Aerospace underscores its commitment to unparalleled quality and innovation.


Speaking on the next stages, Ferdinand Fürstenau, Space Mission Manager on the ESAF project, revealed, “We’re gearing up to design and print a star tracker bracket, leading to a series of rigorous tests. Our aim? To prove that thermal deformations can be accurately determined using our integrated sensors. Once this is affirmed, we’ll be a step closer to enhancing the accuracy of satellite orientation for countless future missions.”


In the last months, the dedicated team at Reflex has already showcased rapid advancements. “Our team’s passion and expertise are the accelerants propelling ESAF’s success. We’re not just reaching milestones; we’re setting new industry standards,” added Fürstenau.
Apart from its robust research endeavors, what truly sets Reflex Aerospace apart is its agility. The company stands as a beacon of efficiency in the space tech sector, promising a mere 12-month turnover from project initiation to completion.


Reflex’s alliance with AMBER, backed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) and state grants, reinforces its commitment to pushing the frontiers of space technology.


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About Reflex Aerospace GmbH:

Munich and Berlin’s pride, Reflex Aerospace is revolutionizing space technology. Their unique blend of rapid innovation, state-of-the-art research, and unparalleled efficiency is sculpting the future. With a keen focus on designing and manufacturing 100 to 500 kg payload-specific, dual-use satellite platforms within a year, Reflex is truly the vanguard of space advancements. Explore more at www.reflexaerospace.com/