Consortium

The project’s consortium involves 25 (and 1 associated) experienced and competent partners from 12 European countries working closely to achieve each task’s goals and the project’s aim.

Industrial
firms

Research
Institute

SMEs &
Startups

ArianeGroup SAS and ArianeGroup GmbH

ArianeGroup is a world leader in access to space, working for its institutional and commercial customers and Europe’s strategic independence.

ArianeGroup designs and creates innovative and competitive launch systems, offering civil and military space solutions for its institutional, commercial and industrial customers. We are expert in the most cutting-edge technologies, from all aspects of complete propulsion systems right down to the items of equipment and materials. We leverage all of this expertise, the unique knowledge of our teams, into benefiting the space, defense, energy, and other industrial sectors, with high value-added products, equipment and services.

ArianeGroup SAS is the coordinator of the project
Responsible for the system engineering, for avionics and GNC technologies, launch vehicle development and validation
Propulsion technologies

Amorim Cork Composites

At Amorim Cork Composites we design sustainable composite. We strive daily to reinvent the world: we recycle, reuse and reinvent entirely natural and organic materials. Our focus is to add value to cork by developing products, solutions and applications for some of the world’s most sophisticated activities, such as the aerospace, automotive, construction, sports, energy or design industries. We belong to Corticeira Amorim, a pioneer and leader in the cork industry ever since the 19th century and which today is one of Portugal’s largest industrial groups.

Responsible for development of an 100% bio TPS, to be included in replaceable tiles systems.

AVIO Spa

Avio is a leading company in space propulsion, based in Colleferro, near Rome, Italy. The company offers competitive solutions for launching institutional, governmental and commercial payloads in Earth orbit through its Vega rocket family. The expertise and know-how acquired in over 50 years, currently allow Avio to compete with the top players in the segment of solid, liquid and cryogenic propulsion for space launchers and military tactical missiles.

AVIO is involved in the SALTO program as designer of the GOX and GCH4 autogenous pressurization system. The system will be designed, ground tested and subsequently embarked on the flight propulsion system as auxiliary pressurization on the propellant tanks.

CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales)

CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales) is the public establishment responsible for proposing French space policy to the Government and implementing it in Europe. It designs and puts satellites in orbit and invents the space systems of tomorrow; it promotes the emergence of new services that are useful in everyday life. CNES, created in 1961, initiates major space projects, launchers and satellites and is the natural partner of industry for pushing innovation. CNES has nearly 2,400 employees, men and women who are passionate about space, which opens up infinite, innovative fields of application; it intervenes in five areas: the Ariane launcher, scientific research, observation, telecommunications and defence. CNES is a major player in technological innovation, economic development and industrial policy in France. It also establishes scientific partnerships and is involved in numerous international projects. France, represented by CNES, is one of the main contributors to the European Space Agency (ESA).

CNES Space Transportation Directorate is an historical co-founder of Themis Project, and contributed, via the ArianeWorks joint team with ArianeGroup and other partners, to the design of this launcher reusable first stage demonstration program and associated vehicles and ground segment means. In the frame of SALTO, CNES Space Transportation Directorate is the leader for Ground Segment Development and Validation work package and will contribute to other work packages, in particular lending its small flying vehicle FROG to test an innovative navigation sensor suite.

Deimos Engineering and Systems S.L.U.

Deimos Engineering and System is present in all the phases of a space mission design and development for the majority of ESA missions, in the fields of Science and Exploration, Satellite Navigation, Earth Observation, Space Situational Awareness, and Launchers. DES has the capability of carrying out complete space missions, as it has been demonstrated with the great commercial and technical success of the Earth observation missions Deimos-1 and Deimos-2.

DES carries out activities such as Mission Analysis, System Engineering, Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC), Attitude and Orbit Control (AOCS), Ground Segment Systems and On-board Software Systems, conducting engineering design, algorithms definition, prototyping, operational software development, system integration, validation, deployment, and support to commissioning and operations.

Organisation will contribute to SALTO taking the responsibility of the control laws design and flight dynamic analysis of the T3 demonstrator, as well as the FQA, stability and controllability assessment in support to the consolidation of the configuration, in particular of the grid fins design. The applicability of the solutions identified to the future full scale launcher concept will then be evaluated as part of the end-to-end flight mechanics assessment. Additionally, DES will contribute to the technology maturation campaign carried out with the T1H demonstrator taking care of the automated post-fight analysis, the development and test of flight dynamics HMS, and the test of an alternative GNSS receiver.

Deimos Engenharia SA

Deimos Engenharia SA is present in all the phases of a space mission design and development for the majority of ESA missions, in the fields of Science and Exploration, Satellite Navigation, Earth Observation, Space Situational Awareness, and Launchers. DME has the capability of carrying out complete space missions, as it has been demonstrated with the great commercial and technical success of the Earth observation missions Deimos-1 and Deimos-2.

DME carries out activities such as Mission Analysis, System Engineering, Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC), Attitude and Orbit Control (AOCS), Ground Segment Systems and On-board Software Systems, conducting engineering design, algorithms definition, prototyping, operational software development, system integration, validation, deployment, and support to commissioning and operations.

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.

DLR is the national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, energy, transport, security and digitalisation is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. DLR has approximately 10,000 employees at 30 locations in Germany.

The DLR is responsible for the aerodynamic and aerothermal design of the T3 demonstrator with extensive computational fluid dynamics simulations and wind tunnel testing. For the hop demonstrator T1H, tests and simulations of landing leg dynamics will support the system design and technologies for intra-vehicular wireless communication and a hybrid navigation system of DLR will fly on the vehicle. Health monitoring systems are being designed for actuators and for the hybrid navigation system. Furthermore, the DLR is responsible for the assessment of the scalability of the technologies developed for the demonstrators to full scale vehicles.

G.L. Electronic s.r.o.

G.L. Electronic, an independent Czech company, has been providing complete implementation of Hi-Rel electronic devices and assembly of cable harnesses in the aerospace industrial sector since 2008. The company also offers testing services in ISO8 certified clean rooms and in a testing laboratory accredited according to the international standard ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018.

The production of electronic devices takes place within the ECSS standards in ISO8 certified clean rooms. The production is carried out by technicians certified according to ESA standards.

Development continuation of the 3 VPX board up to TRL7 or TRL8 based on the same FLPP requirements.
Production of Flight Models for T1H second flight campaign (summer 2024) or T3. Maturity (TRL6, TRL7 or TRL8), schedule and amount of boards needed still TBD. An Incremental approach can be applied in order to handle schedule/maturity. In addition, the use of the VPX boards in non-critical/non-functional chassis can also be also envisaged.
Possible additional studies/development around the 3 VPX boards: Increase of the channel density per board and the RC optimisation and Enhancement of the qualification levels (mainly vibration).

GMV Aerospace and Defence SAU

GMV is a privately owned technological enterprise group with an international presence. Founded in 1984, GMV mainly operates in eight large sectors for both public and private organisations: Aeronautics; Space; Defence; Health; Security; Transportation; Telecommunications; Information Technologies.

The leadership position that GMV has reached in its areas of specialisation is based on an in-depth knowledge of the needs of the client that allows to provide solutions specifically adapted to their individual needs. GMV is a private engineering and technology group, being one of the strongest players in the Space domain. It is a premier provider worldwide for space organizations and agencies, and the major satellite manufacturers and operators.

In the frame of SALTO, GMV is responsible for the development of the Modular Power Unit (MPU) that will support all the vital functions of T3 Themis.

GMV is working since 2017 on the development and qualification of a complete avionics systems for micro-launchers and in particular on equipment for the power conditioning and distribution. This experience in power electronics design development and qualification for rugged environment is a prerequisite for the development of an efficient and modular unit MPU for SALTO project.

GTD

During more than 34 years, GTD Sistemas de Información offers to European space transportation industry world-class systems engineering solutions for all Ariane, Soyuz and Vega family, including development and qualification of flight software, launch pad control centre, Flight safety systems, mission control centre, simulation control benches, and operation services for all those systems. Working for the Space and Launchers, Ground and Earth Observation segments, GTD has been supplying best-of-breed high-assurance software solutions to high profile Space industry customers since 1989. We provide all types of engineering solutions for the space sector, from the development and incorporation of critical systems to complete solutions covering all the system’ operational requirements.

GTD is responsible for Ground AFTS demonstrator (T11.6). GAFTS is a ground autonomous safety system designed to be deployable on multiple spaceports providing services to multiple launchers Ground AFTS contributes helps Spaceports in handling launch mission preparation and missionization (e.g. training, safety parameters validation), in autonomous real time flight safety monitoring and in decision-making during launch. This activity is developed in synergy with CNES and SSC as spaceport operators and experts in ground operations.
GTD is also responsible for the development of IT demonstrators interfaceable with ground mechanical systems (T11.7). The IT systems together with ground systems aim to demonstrate new services based on 4.0 technologies that contribute to ground operations in terms of cost, flexibility, scalability and modularity.

iDSERVICES

As an engineering and IT service company, iDSERVICES supports start-ups, small, medium and large industries to secure new concepts and new technologies along the major step of the innovation cycle.

The company is involved within the industries of energy, environment, automotive as well as aeronautics and space sectors.

Created in 2019, iDSERVICES is already recognized its skills and expertise relating to robotic systems, IoT and embedded connected systems, HMI, artificial intelligence, and mechatronics. iDSERVICES secures innovation by implementing fast and dependable proof of concepts (POC) and advanced technical and technological solutions.

We aim for high level of dependability and realism, we bring creativity, agility and technics. Our target is to support clients to secure complex projects, to optimise Time To Market for new concepts to ensure future steps of innovation.

The organisation is responsible for developing removable thermal back shield solutions.

INCAS - National Institute for Aerospace Research “Elie Carafoli”

INCAS – National Institute for Aerospace Research “Elie Carafoli” is the leading research establishment in aerospace sciences in Romania, with a tradition of over 70 years in aerospace engineering, flow physics and applied aerodynamics, using state-of-the-art technologies and a unique infrastructure of national strategic importance. Having been involved in all major national aeronautical projects for civil and military areas, INCAS currently acts as a major player in EU policy making for Research and Development under the FlightPath 2050 vision and the Horizon Europe program. INCAS initiated a solid long-term strategy for recognizing Romania’s status and capabilities in aerospace sciences, using unique research infrastructure (including state-of-the-art wind tunnels) and outstanding expertise in major and niche areas for international development. At the same time, INCAS has been recognized as a policy maker in both Europe and on an international level, playing a major role in all documents and programmatic visions developed over the last 15 years in aeronautics. INCAS continues to strengthen its position as a regional leader in aerospace research, building on the constant modernization and development of the institute’s capacity and capabilities.

INCAS is involved in WP 7 – System Monitoring and Safety Technologies; T7.1 – Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) Technologies; ST7.1.1 – Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) together with ONERA, JVERNE, and SABCA.

INCAS will provide metallic test samples instrumented with piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) and FBG optical fibers with the purpose of their use in the subsequent subtasks. Also, laminated composites, as well as sandwich structures composites, are provided. Both type of specimens will be suitable, in terms of dimensions, for mechanical and thermal investigations, and, also, for the study of the ultrasonic guided waves propagation. NDI techniques will be applied in order to validate the health state of the test samples. In collaboration with the Partners, a SHM system for T1H demonstrator will be defined.

IRT Jules Verne

The IRT Jules Verne (Institut de Recherche Technologique Jules Verne) is one of the 8 mutualised research and technology centres created in France in 2012. Since then IRT Jules Verne has been developing industrial research dedicated to advanced manufacturing technologies and developing solutions for the design, processing and manufacturing of parts and structures for the aeronautic, shipbuilding, automotive and energy sector. Based in Nantes, France, and central to the Loire Valley’s economic strategies, IRT Jules Verne activities are mainly driven by industrial needs and manufacturing challenges. It brings together manufacturers, training facilities, private and public applied research laboratories, prototyping and industrial demonstration resources with the goals of becoming a reference in the field of advanced production for composite, metallic materials and hybrid structures parts, and providing solutions to the technological challenges faced by industrials, e.g. the design and implementation of advanced breakthrough technologies for manufacturing and production engineering.

The organisation is responsible for damage detection, localization and characterization algorithms (WP7) and Non-destructive inspection (WP12).

MT Aerospace AG

MT Aerospace is an internationally leading company in the field of aerospace and defense as well as a global partner for antennas and mechatronics. We develop and produce essential subsystems for the European launch vehicle ARIANE, the Airbus fleet as well as for spacecrafts and satellites.

About 700 employees are located in Augsburg, Bremen and Mainz (Germany), Cagliari (Italy), Santiago de Chile and Kourou (French Guiana). With 50 years of heritage in major programs and continuous investments in research and development we are technology leader in light weight structures and tanks using metallic and composite materials.

World-class performance and minimum weight is assured by innovative production technologies, including counter-roller flow forming, spin-forming, complex welding technologies and out-of-autoclave composite technologies

MTA is specialized in the production of components and subsystems for the aerospace and space industry.

Within the project MTA addresses three major topics: CFRP landing legs, stainless-steel tank and ground segment activities.

ONERA (Office National d’Etudes de Recherches Aérospatiales)

ONERA is a central player in aeronautical and space research and employs over 2,000 people. Operating under the authority of the French Ministry of Armed Forces, its 2022 budget amounts to €266 million, over half of which comes from study, research and testing contracts. As the government expert in aerospace technologies, ONERA strives to prepare tomorrow’s defenses, address the aerospace challenges of the future, and boost the competitiveness of the aerospace industry. It boasts skills in all disciplines and technologies used in aerospace applications. All the major civil and military aerospace programmes in France and Europe are rooted in ONERA’s DNA, including Ariane, Airbus, Falcon, Rafale, missiles, helicopters, engines, radars, etc. Its world- renowned, prize-winning research scientists mentor many doctoral students.

ONERA is responsible for the development of Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) Technologies and develop the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM).

Réaltra Space Systems Engineering

Réaltra Space Systems Engineering is a division of Realtime Technologies Ltd., based in Dublin, Ireland. Réaltra provides dedicated design & development engineering expertise for space electronics systems combined with Realtime’s proven manufacturing capability for space applications. Réaltra is dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of cost-effective space electronic systems using cutting-edge technologies. Our highly experienced team of space industry experts have a proven track record in combining COTS and traditional approaches for the development of highly reliable solutions to meet the challenges set by our customers. Réaltra is the Irish word for Galaxy and at the core of our company is an exceptional team of people who consistently deliver excellence through a commitment to innovation, attention to detail, flexibility to adapt and respond to our customers’ evolving needs and a dedication to quality. The enhanced combination of engineering design and production of spacecraft electronics equipment available in Réaltra enables our customers to meet the challenging technical and cost constraints across a wide range of commercial and non-commercial space missions. We have built the reputation of Réaltra based on the core principles of; Innovative Design; Technical Excellence; Quality Processes; Exceptional Support.

The organisation is responsible for the development of the HD video camera system that will be used on the THEMIS re-useable launcher.

SABCA

SABCA is the Belgium industry leader in the field of space launchers, having since more than 60 years expertise. Sabca is currently the European leader in the field of thrust vector actuation systems, mastering this technology for all ESA developed (or under development) launchers. This activity is completed by structural integrated systems such as interstage skirts or multi-engine bays. These expertise’s are also developed by Sabca in the fields of space exploration, civil and/or military aviation as wall as drones, covering the complete life-cycle of its products.

Sabca is responsible for the relevant activities linked to the Thrust Vector Actuation Systems (up to T3 model manufacturing); the Multi-Engine Bay (adaptation and revalidation for T3 based on T1H model), Grid Fins (up to manufacturing of one full scale model) and the Grid Fin Actuation Systems (development in synergy of the TVAS). All these activities include the analysis and incorporation of Health Monitoring Systems (both Structural and Health & Usage – SHM / HUMS).

Safran Electronics & Defense and Safran Data Systems

Safran Electronics & Defense, a super OEM with high rooted tech capabilities, is a world leader in optronics, avionics, electronics and critical software for both civil and military markets. These markets span across land, naval, aeronautical and space applications. Every day, our know-how allows operational experts to observe, decide and guide, all over the world. Safran Electronics & Defense is the No. 1 company in Europe and No. 3 worldwide for inertial navigation systems (INS) used in air, land and naval applications. Safran Electronics & Defense is the No. 1 worldwide for high performance space and astronomical optics.

Safran Electronics & Defense (SED) ‘s role will be to evaluate COTS navigation system and innovative solution to update the location for the final landing system using optronics systems.

SENER TAFS

Leading company as supplier of high-performance aerospace systems for Space, Defence and Science, with more than 50 years of experience as supplier of antennas and communications systems for the Space market.

Develop up to TRL6, and manufacture a flight demonstrator of an active antenna array system composed of 7 L-band Tx/Rx radiating elements and dedicated RF-front End (including HPA, LNA and filtering) and a GNSS antenna (including if needed LNA and filtering).

This will include:

Requirements review based on the results obtained from the Ground Demonstrator Prototype.
Thermo-mechanical design.
RF design update after thermo-mechanical design.

Manufacturing and testing of four antenna arrays and RF-Frontends.

Shark Robotics

Shark Robotics designs and builds autonomous cutting-edge robots in fire safety, security, nuclear and space fields in order to save lives and offer more efficiency.

Organisation is responsible for development of a refueling robot for reusable space launchers.

SpaceForest sp. z o. o.

SpaceForest is an SME founded in 2004 in Poland. It develops and commercializes innovative solutions specializing in microwave technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced electronics and rocket technologies. Its first innovative product was an AI-based software for microwave filter tuning, which powered fully automated tuning stations. SpaceForest has also completed several ESA projects focused on satellite communication system components like ultra-low phase noise frequency generators and solid-state power amplifiers. In 2018 SpaceForest started developing a suborbital rocket called PERUN. It will allow SpaceForest to launch payloads of up to 50 kg to an altitude above 100 km. Similarly to THEMIS, PERUN will be recovered and reused after each flight. In SALTO project SpaceForest is developing a secondary propulsion system that utilises green propellants, which are also used by PERUN’s main engine. The skills and knowledge gained during ESA and PERUN projects will be used in SALTO project.

SpaceForest is responsible for developing a Green Flip Control System, a secondary propulsion system that initiates the rotation of the THEMIS main stage before the re-entry burn. The flip manoeuvre is required to achieve the correct attitude of the stage („engine first”) at the moment of re-ignition of the main engines. The flip control thruster will be powered by green propellants, which SpaceForest extensively used in its previous rocket projects.

Swedish Space Corporation (SSC)

Swedish Space Corporation, SSC, helps space organizations, companies, other commercial actors and research institutes to get access to space. SSC’s products and services enable successful space projects within Earth observation, telecommunications, security, meteorology, navigation and positioning, scientific research and other applications. Through our local presence on all continents and more than 600 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services, flight test services and data analytics. Among our strongest assets are Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, set to become first to launch satellites from continental Europe in 2023, as well as one of the world’s largest commercial ground station networks. Via our subsidiary GlobalTrust, we also leverage satellite data and analytics applications to help companies, organizations and governments to develop and deliver sustainability strategies.

Esrange Space Center will ensure SALTO project hop tests in their new test facility in Sweden.

Thales Alenia Space in Belgium (TAS-B)

In Belgium, Thales Alenia Space is represented by its subsidiary Thales Alenia Space Belgium, in Charleroi in Leuven and Hasselt. This Belgian company is an expert in several high-technology fields.

Thales Alenia Space in Belgium is the Belgian front-runner in space electronics applications for satellites and launchers, a world leader in power conditioning and distribution for satellites, a key supplier of electronics for European launchers and will be the first automated manufactory of photovoltaic assemblies (PVA) in the Europe.

We are a world leader in satellite power conditioning and distribution. Our product range covers needs from observation microsatellites up to the large geo-stationary satellites for telecom applications, with power requirements from 250 W up to 20 kW. The company also enjoys a position at the forefront of flight electronics products: avionics, power supplies for plasmic propulsion thrusters, power supplies for travelling wave Tubes, DC/DC converters and other dedicated power products. To cite just one example of how all this equipment is used, we manufacture the electrical core of satellites.

TAS-B is responsible for development of in-flight demonstration of Autonomous Safeguard also named Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS). Our main task is to develop and validate a first on-board autonomous decision algorithm and to deliver it into associated hardware.

WIT Berry

SIA WIT Berry (WIT) is a small digital marketing and communication company based in Latvia. WIT Berry aims to help organizations reach their goals, namely increase sales, gain popularity and new clients, and develop brands and others by implementing an efficient communication strategy. WIT Berry was founded in 2012. Its founder has extensive experience in online communications and digital marketing.

WIT Berry has worked with leading insurance and telecommunication companies in Latvia, where its experts were responsible for web content analysis, development of website concepts, as well as content strategy and copywriting for different markets. For the last few years, WIT Berry has been actively involved in different activities, projects and events in the space sector. For example, the company has participated in the Horizon 2020 project HATCH, has ensured all the communication and marketing activities for the space event in Belgium called Switch to Space and has consulted space companies in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Estonia.

Responsible for communication activities and support to dissemination of project results.