Space

How TTTech Aerospace supported the development of the Ariane 6 avionics backbone and the benefits of a TTEthernet data network

The NASA Artemis program is one of the largest space projects of our time and will continue to include future generations. Technology from Austria is playing a big part. The Viennese high-tech company TTTech is on board, among others, on the Lunar Gateway space station and delivers communication technology for the setup of the data network (essentially the ‘central nervous system’).

TTTech Aerospace contributes to the European modules for NASA’s Lunar Gateway: The Lunar International Habitation Module (Lunar I-Hab) and Lunar View, a refueling module, both built by Thales Alenia Space and funded through the European Space Agency (ESA). This key contribution from ESA to NASA Artemis will use European versions of the TTEthernet networking and computing platforms already implemented in the US-built Gateway modules “PPE” and “HALO”.

As onboard computing power increases and the distance from Earth becomes greater, spacecraft will become even more autonomous. This shift has a significant impact on the skillsets required from astronauts. What remains unchanged, however, are the most important skills: Teamwork and international collaboration!  

Ariane 6’s inaugural flight came with spectacular images captured by the on-board camera system that provided live images   of the stage, fairing and booster separation events, and also included breathtaking views of the Earth from space, during the mission.

Open-standards-based networking technologies for safety-critical real-time applications  

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. 

#IMPACT25 Panel: Safety in human space flight – the astronaut’s perspective We are entering a new era of human space flight. As humanity prepares to return to the Moon and even set foot on Mars, many commercial endeavors in space are also on the rise. One central concept that makes all of this possible is safety. 

A new space race is on, and the Moon will be a stepping stone for further exploration into deep space. This time, the focus lies on establishing a presence in space beyond anything that has been done before.