ICT | CASE STUDY
DORIS SCHULZ SCHULZ. PRESSE. TEXT, Korntal – Germany ds@pressetextschulz.de
Snow Ensures Cleanliness for Space Missions: quattroClean Technology for Cleaning Lightweight CFRP Structures Even the tiniest grains of dust or particles of manufacturing residues can be decisive for the performances of satellites in space. A global player in the international aerospace industry uses the quattroClean snow jet technology from acp systems as a solution to clean the interior of coated baffle and CFRP structures – with and without integrated cable harnesses.
T
he family-run listed space and technology group OHB SE is
Meeting and proving high cleanliness specifications
one of the top three players in the European space industry.
Even tiny amounts of particulate manufacturing residues can impair the
Divided into the three segments of Space Systems, Aerospace
success of a mission for which the company bears responsibility. “That
and Digital, the Group employs a workforce of around 2,800 people.
is why, eleven years ago, we set up the Cleanliness and Contamination
The largest subsidiary, OHB System AG, based in Bremen and with a
Control division. In the meantime, eleven experts deal with the aspect
further site in Oberpfaffenhofen, has over four decades of experience
of cleanliness along the process chain, as well as contamination
in the development of high-tech solutions for space travel and other
engineering, proof of cleanliness, simulation of contamination transfer
applications, with composite materials such as CFRP playing a key
phenomena and cleaning operations in the high-end sector,” states Axel
role. The company’s portfolio of products and services encompasses
Müller, Lead Expert Contamination Control at OHB System.
the construction of complete satellite systems for earth observation,
In 2016, work began on certifying the CO2 cleaning technology as a
navigation, telecommunications, science and reconnaissance as well as
cleaning process for space travel within the company. This involved
the development and execution of space exploration missions and the
cleaning cable harnesses and CFRP structures with a diameter of
development of systems for human space flight. As a systems specialist,
approximately 2,000 x 2,000 mm, which have a special black light-
OHB System cooperates with leading national and international
absorbing coating. Thanks to this so-called baffle, only the light to be
companies, combining technologies to create new solutions.
detected or the desired image information is transmitted to optical
© OHB Systems
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N. 84 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 - international PAINT&COATING magazine