The first six actuators of the more than 100 currently in series production by SENER Aeroespacial have been successfully launched and operated in space aboard the Hotbird 13F satellite.

The Hotbird13F satellite is the first satellite based on the 100% electric Neosat platform. The actuators of the DTA10 series operate on the electric propulsion module of the Nosaat and Onesat platforms and on the deployable radiator of Airbus Space and Defence’s Neosat platform. Our actuators have already performed the pointing of the spacecraft’s electric thrusters, which is critical for the spacecraft to reach its operational orbital position.

These actuators reach TRL9 level, culminating a design, verification and validation process initiated with our own R&D funds and an ARTES program. This effort responded to the strategic decision to provide the market with a family of rotary actuators with high holding torque (DTA) and which are manufactured in series continuously from 2018 to the present day.

The rotary actuator R&D activity has developed other models of various sizes and performance, offering the market a product family that covers a wide spectrum of performance and functionalities. All our DTA actuators also include our SUM electric motors, designed and manufactured at SENER Aerospace. Another element of the DTA family is for example the DTA6-201 actuator, which will fly on the Spainsat mission.

SENER Aeroespacial is part of the consortium chosen by the European Commission for the EROSS IOD program dedicated to On-Orbit Servicing. EROSS IOD (European Robotic Orbital Support Services In Orbit Demonstrator) will validate the technologies needed for robotic in-space servicing operations, culminating in a European pioneering mission by 2026. This mission will demonstrate satellite rendezvous, capture, docking, refuelling and payload exchange capabilities to drive major advances in space robotics for future on-orbit robotic missions.

According to the Prime Contractor, Thales Alenia Space, “The goal is to extend satellite lifetimes while also limiting space debris to enable better management of the current and future space assets. On-Orbit Servicing vehicles represent a real paradigm shift, since future space systems will be able to undergo maintenance and upgrades even in orbit. By introducing unrivalled system scalability and flexibility, they will be a real game changer. Satellites as we know can therefore be designed in a completely new way.”

In the consortium, formed by seventeen companies, SENER Aeroespacial will be involved in the adaptation of SIROM to the EROSS IOD needs as ORU (Orbital Replacement Unit) interface. In addition, SIROM will be configured as a refuelling interface based on SENER RIDER solution.

SIROM is a robotic interface developed by SENER Aeroespacial that can be used both in orbital and planetary applications. As a robotic interface, SIROM has the ability to manipulate and carry on different tasks, integrating four different functionalities in a single mechanism: mechanical, data, electrical and fluids.

This EROSS IOD program is under Grant Agreement Preparation and expected to start in January 2023.

SENER Aeroespacial has a long track record in projects that contemplate the generation of space technology from the point of view of sustainability. The company is already working to generate more efficient orbital infrastructures. Since 2019, the company is part of the E.T.PACK consortium to develop a deorbit device based on a space tether to tackle the space debris proliferation problem. And, since 2020, the company is part of the Net Zero Space initiative, as a step forward in the group’s commitment to drive sustainable transformation through engineering and technology.