Commercial flexibility in NewSpace – with NPC Spacemind

Podcast

A discussion about providing commercial flexibility and rapid delivery in the NewSpace sector – with NPC Spacemind

A conversation about progress in the development and production of components and sub-systems for the NewSpace sector.

In this episode we speak with Riccardo Carlini from NPC Spacemind – the aerospace division of Italy-based automated machines manufacturer New Production Concept (NPC). We discuss:

  • How to bring expertise from different industry sectors to space
  • How CubeSat missions and services are evolving, and what this means for technology manufacturers
  • The use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components in satellites
  • Ensuring quality control and mission reliability, while delivering rapidly and to spec

About NPC Spacemind’s products and services

NPC Spacemind manufactures a range of hardware for CubeSats and other small satellite form factors:

A 1U CubeSat structure with 6 kill switches and PC104 stack layout. NPC Spacemind's SM structures are modular CubeSat frames designed for ease of integration and compatibility with off-the-shelf components.

A 2U CubeSat structure with 6 kill switches and PC104 stack layout. NPC Spacemind's SM structures are modular CubeSat frames designed for ease of integration and compatibility with off-the-shelf components.

A 3U CubeSat structure with 6 kill switches and PC104 stack layout. NPC Spacemind's SM structures are modular CubeSat frames designed for ease of integration and compatibility with off-the-shelf components.

A 6U CubeSat structure with 6 kill switches and PC104 stack layout. NPC Spacemind's SM structures are modular CubeSat frames designed for ease of integration and compatibility with off-the-shelf components.

A 12U CubeSat structure with 6 kill switches and PC104 stack layout. NPC Spacemind's SM structures are modular CubeSat frames designed for ease of integration and compatibility with off-the-shelf components.

A solar panel for the X/Y sides, compatible with 1U/2U/3U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 2 parallel picoblade power connectors.

A solar panel for the Z side, compatible with 1U/2U/3U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 2 parallel picoblade power connectors.

A solar panel for the X/Y/Z sides, compatible with 2U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 2 parallel picoblade power connectors.

A solar panel for the X/Y/Z sides, compatible with 3U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 4 parallel picoblade power connectors.

A solar panel for the X/Y sides, compatible with 6U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 4 parallel picoblade power connectors.

A solar panel for the Z side, compatible with 6U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 4 parallel picoblade power connectors.

A solar panel for the X/Y sides, compatible with 12U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 4 parallel picoblade power connectors.

A solar panel for the Z side, compatible with 12U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 4 parallel picoblade power connectors.

A solar panel for the X/Y sides, compatible with 1U/2U/3U form factor systems, and featuring high-efficiency triple junction UTJ solar and 2 parallel picoblade power connectors.

The NPC Spacemind ARTICA Deorbiting System is a passive de-orbiting system designed for CubeSats. The system is designed to allow the integration of sensors and devices on the bottom/up surface. The system deploys a sail of 2.1m2 and is designed to be completely stand alone in order to provide its functionality even in presence of satellite failure. ARTICA is designed to be mounted onboard the CubeSat.

A 3U CubeSat deployer with no pyrotechnic actuation and that produces no debris release during actuation. The system features high allowable lateral clearance for the satellite (>9 mm) and provides confirmation signals for door opening and deployment.

The MORAL (Mount Robotic Alt-azimuth) is an Alt-Az mount for 1m class telescopes and professional observatories. It is designed to enhance the accuracy and speed of pointing of in-orbit objects. It has a pointing accuracy of less than 2 Arcsecs and allows unlimited angle rotation on the azimuth.


NPC Spacemind on satsearch podcast manufacturing services

NPC Spacemind also offers manufacturing and production services for space applications including:

  • High precision machining
  • Aerospace welding
  • Surface treatment
  • Non-destructive inspection and testing

In addition, the company provides complete manufacturing of structural elements for space application (satellites structures, deployable systems, supporting elements):

  • Manufacturing of structural parts in aluminum, titanium, steel, special alloys
  • Manufacturing of structural parts with additive manufacturing technology (CFRP; aluminum; titanium; fittings)
  • Assembly and qualification

NPC Spacemind also offers engineering design services for complex electromechanical systems and structural element for space applications. For structural design for space applications, NPC Spacemind offers:

  • Design of structural parts and full structure
  • Structural optimization
  • FEM analysis and ground tests
  • Verification and validation

For the design of complex electromechanical systems, NPC Spacemind provides:

  • Concept design on the basis of specific application requirements
  • Detailed subsystem design
  • Executive design – (Mechanical-Electrical-System Interfaces)
commercial flexibility
cubesat
engineering
member spotlight
satellite structures
supply chain

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