Industry
Space transporter “Edoardo Amaldi” reaches ISS: Safely docked thanks to reliable electronics
Hanover/Madrid: TÜV NORD engineers in Germany and Spain have been closely following the docking manoeuvre of the third Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) with the international space station (ISS). ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD (ATN) supported the development of the transporter by testing and qualifying electronic components. Guido Rettig, Chairman of the Board of TÜV NORD, spoke of a “success story for Europe’s leading technology.”
When the space transporter successfully docked with the international space station last night, TÜV NORD also played a part. The unmanned ATV-3, known as the “Edoardo Amaldi”, which supplies the astronauts on board the ISS with food, water, fuel and other equipment, is fitted with extremely reliable electronic components tested by TÜV NORD.
ALTER TECHNOLOGY, a subsidiary of TÜV NORD with locations in Madrid, Toulouse and Rome, has been involved in the project for 14 years. Among other things, the company has selected, tested and qualified electronic, electrical and electro-mechanical (EEE) components for the various ATVs. EEE components for space travel must fulfil special requirements as regards radiation, vibration and temperature resistance.
As Guido Rettig says: “More than 2.5 million individual EEE components have been selected, tested and qualified by ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD. Some of these were used on board the ATVs. I would like to congratulate all the companies involved in this successful docking operation. It is yet another success story for advanced European technology – which means that we have further strengthened our strong global position in the area of satellite technology”. Guido Rettig is also responsible for the Aerospace Division within TN Group.
The ATVs are built for the European Space Agency and are delivered to the ISS by means of an Ariane-5-ES-ATV launch vehicle.
About the TÜV NORD Group
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD Group is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industry Services, Mobility and Education and Training. TÜV NORD Group occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of raw materials and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: “Making our world safer”.
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