Yesterday, the new European launcher generation Ariane 6 successfully started on its first mission. On board: electronic components from Viennese high-tech company TTTech that ensure fail-safe data transfer in safety-critical systems.
Vienna, July 10, 2024: The Ariane 6 launcher generation ensures independent access to space for Europe once again. TTTech was part of the Ariane 6 program from the initial stages, as part of a research activity funded by the European Space Agency ESA. TTTech substantially contributed to the development of the launcher’s data network and its chips ensure that this ‘nervous system’ works smoothly. With this activity, TTTech was able to further develop its space business and play a role in the global space industry, participating in NASA Artemis, for example.
"We congratulate ESA, ArianeGroup and the European space industry involved in the successful launch of Ariane 6. We are proud to ensure fail-safe data communication in the launch vehicle with our high-tech products. These products are integrated into more than 50 avionics units. These are sensors and electronic control systems that exchange data with the control computer (the 'brain') via the data network (the 'nervous system') in Ariane 6 to operate safety-critical functions such as computing, power distribution or thrust vector actuation,“ explains Christian Fidi, who heads the aerospace division at TTTech (TTTech Aerospace).
Modern, future-proof avionics that are able to keep up with the high demands on data communication were a focus on Ariane 6. TTTech's chips are special because they make it possible to transmit safety-critical navigation and control data as well as less critical telemetry or video data reliably and at high speed on the same network. This makes the on-board electronics more powerful and robust and because fewer cables are required, it also reduces system complexity, weight, and maintenance.
Ariane 6’s avionics were developed from a research activity by the French Space Agency (CNES) and later by the European Space Agency (ESA), involving major European aerospace companies such as Airbus. TTTech worked primarily on the data network. The goals were to make communication and data transmission in the launcher safe and efficient and to ensure that the components (chips) required for the network were designed as compact as possible. Co-funding from ESA's Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) enabled TTTech to develop the first chip prototype and associated software. This radiation-hardened chip, which has been qualified for use in space, was then selected by ArianeGroup for the Ariane 6 program in 2015.
Christian Fidi says, the development of these products was essential and formed the basis for TTTech’s participation in other space programs, among others in human space flight: „Ariane 6 clearly shows the importance of Austria’s ESA contributions and funding by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG and the Federal Ministry for Space (BMK). Technology and product development for space require a lot of time and money, but once they have been completed to ESA standards, they can be successfully marketed on the global space market.” The first flight of
Ariane 6 and its series production were delayed by a few years, but today TTTech is, above all, grateful for the business opportunities that have arisen from it. Without the trust of the Aerospace Agency (ALR) within the FFG and the responsible ministry, as well as the predecessor company of today's ArianeGroup 10 years ago, TTTech would not have had the framework to develop a complete space product portfolio. With this portfolio, TTTech now has a strong foothold, among others, in the major NASA-led program “Artemis”. Currently, preparations are being made for the delivery of products for the Lunar Gateway and its first modules "PPE" (Power and Propulsion Element) and "HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost)" (habitation and logistics outpost). For the other programs, TTTech is already working on the next generation of these products.
Images
Ariane 6 before wet dress rehearsal
Image: © ESA | ESA Standard Licence
Ariane 6: key visual portrait
Image: © ESA | ESA Standard Licence
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