Nasmyth selected by AD&S for spacecraft transport container contract
Above:
Eurostar Neo from Airbus Defence and Space.
Courtesy ESA © Airbus 2017
Precision engineers at Nasmyth Group will manufacture the Spacecraft Transport Container for Eurostar Neo, which is one of the two new satellite product lines of the European Space Agency’s Next Generation Platform, NEOSAT.
The Spacecraft Transport Container will house the crucial ‘clean room’, enabling its safe transportation by road, rail, sea or air whichever is deemed applicable. The Container has self-generation and air conditioning with full external/internal monitoring system in place.
The Container will be supplied with two removable transfer trollies which will allow the spacecraft to be rotated 360 degrees and is capable of powered movement from both horizontal and vertical planes. This will be supplied with all test and operating equipment.
The NEOSAT programme aims to support Airbus Defence and Space in providing a commercially attractive platform in the mid-range and high-end telecommunication satellite segments.
An important goal of the NEOSAT programme is to build a European supply chain which optimises costs and guarantees on-time delivery of satellites. Known for its high industrial and technical performance, Nasmyth efficiency and expertise will play an important part of this success.
The Spacecraft Transport Container and the Turnaround Trollies will both be manufactured at Nasmyth’s CE facility based in Coventry. This project will see the site’s workforce increase by 25%, ensuring the delivery to Airbus Defence and Space by March 2019 Nasmyth is supported by Kent-based EPS Logistics for the design of the Container and Trollies.
Peter Smith, CEO of Nasmyth Group said: "This is another significant step in the growth of Nasmyth Group in the Space sector. We are delighted to have secured such a prestigious contract, which builds on our strong portfolio of work with Airbus Defence and Space. The design and manufacturing expertise that Nasmyth will bring to the Eurostar Neo platform will demonstrate our capabilities to produce Spacecraft Transport Containers. DSEI is an ideal opportunity to announce this contract to the global defence and aerospace sector."
