Kistler Instruments Supports Airbus Defence & Space With Developing The Service Module For The Orion Spacecraft

July 2019, MARIETTA, GA ~ Fifty years after Apollo 11 landed on the moon, a new chapter in manned space flight is opening with the Orion spacecraft. This development is being driven ahead by NASA with support from the European Space Agency (ESA). On behalf of ESA, Airbus Defence & Space is developing the ESM service module for the Orion program. The propulsion unit and vitally important technical components are physically close together in the module – which means that intensive tests are essential. Kistler's measurement technology experts are supporting Airbus with piezoelectric pressure sensors to supply critical information about potentially hazardous pressure surges in the fuel pipeline.

Following exhaustive tests, the Orion spacecraft (Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle or MPCV) is due to transport humans to the moon again in 2023. After this mission, manned flights with the MPCV could reach destinations such as Mars for the first time. The ESA's contribution is the ESM service module, which will sit directly below the crew capsule after Orion is assembled at NASA. The ESM houses the propulsion unit as well as the energy generation and control equipment, the air conditioning plant and vital technical components to supply water, oxygen and nitrogen.

This is the first time that NASA has placed its trust in technology from outside the USA for a mission-critical component. A key factor in NASA's decision was the success of ESA's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which can dock automatically with the International Space Station (ISS). ESA's participation also means that European astronauts will get the chance to be on board the next flight to the moon. Airbus Defence & Space, which was commissioned by ESA to develop and build the ESM service module, was already able to deliver the first ESM to the USA in November 2018. The module underwent extensive functional and stability testing in Bremen prior to delivery.

To read the complete story and find out how Kistler’s piezoelectric pressure sensors are used click here

If you are looking for a product recommendation, please e-mail sales@flwse.com