Description
From the Heart of Europe into Space. Since 2018 OHB Czechspace, located in Brno, Czech Republic, has been a member of the Space and Technology group OHB SE, one of the space industry leaders in Europe. OHB Czechspace focuses on the development, design, verification, procurement, testing and related product assurance tasks of spacecraft and launcher structures for governmental space agencies as well as for other space industry players. Over the short history the company has been awarded multiple contracts within European Space Agency (ESA) programmes such as the planetary defence mission HERA, PLATO space exploration mission and the Copernicus Earth observation mission CO2M. In 2022, OHB Czechspace was awarded a contract by ESA for the Czech satellite mission SOVA to conduct the first phase of the Ambitious Project. SOVA will observe processes in the middle and upper atmosphere to improve climate and weather prediction models. The success of the company is driven by our team of highly skilled employees with passion for innovation and space, their commitment and quality of work performed.
Competences and capabilities
OHB Czechspace provides the development, design, verification, procurement, testing and related product assurance tasks of spacecraft and launcher structures.
Spacecraft Design
Design of complex spacecraft systems from the conceptual phase to detailed design according to the customer’s requirements and standards.- CAD/Step file Generation
- Material Selection
- Mass Estimation
- Selection of Standard Parts
- Drawing Generation
- Definition of Electrical Grounding
- IRD Generation
Structural Analysis
Analysis and verification of space products, such as structural items, sub-assemblies, satellite systems, electronic equipment. All verification according to ECSS Standards if required.- Generation of FE models
- Static Analysis (linear and non-linear)
- Dynamic Analysis – modal, harmonic, random vibration and acoustic analysis
- Stress Verification
- Thermo-elastic Analysis
- Deformation Analysis
- Stability Analysis
- Design Optimization
- Sandwich Panel Insert Verification
- Bolt Verification
- Weld Analysis
- Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue Analysis
- Generation of Condensed Models
- Model Correlation with Test Data
- Printed Circuit Board Analysis
Thermal Design & Analysis
Design and Analysis of the space thermal control subsystems in accordance with European space standards and customer’s requirements.- Critical mission/subsystems thermal environments definition
- Generation of thermal models (GMM, TMM)
- Definition of relevant boundary conditions and thermo-optical properties
- Conduction of thermal analyses (steady state / transient heat flow)
- Subsystem requirements definition (radiator area, heater power, location within the structure)
- Thermal components definition/selection and optimization (Heaters, Heat pipes, Heat straps, Radiators, SLI/MLI, Thermal interface fillers, Coatings and paints, etc.)
Procurement
Procurement of all metallic and composite structural items.- Central Tube
- Sandwich Panels
- CFRP Laminate Designs
- Metallic Items
- Mechanical Ground Support Equipment
- Strut Assembly Design
- Satellite Platforms
Mechanical Test Conduction
Lead of different types of mechanical tests, such as modal, random and acoustic vibration, static, sine burst, microvibration or shock testing.- Coordination of the test facility
- Co-operation on the test preparation
- Preparation of the test procedure and definition of the test instrumentation
- Design of test adapters and supporting structures
- Lead of the test activities
- Evaluation of the test data
- Reporting of the test results
Major Space Projects & References
OHB Czechspace has been awarded various contracts within European Space Agency (ESA) programmes.
SOVA - Satellite Observation of waves in the Atmosphere (Phase 0/A/B1/& B2/C/D/E/F)
- Prime contractor of the SOVA mission.
NEP - Study on the Use of Nuclear Energy for Challenging Space Missions (Phase 0)
CRYSA - Cryostat Straps for Athena (Phase A1)
HERA - Planetary Defence Mission (Phase B1 & B2/C/D/E)
- Development, design, verification and supply of the complete spacecraft‘s structural subsystem and mechanical ground support equipment.
- Support of the spacecraft’s vibrational test campaign (sine and acoustic vibration).
PLATO - PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (Phase B2/C/D/E1)
- Structural analysis of the spacecraft’s central tube, planning and execution of its static load test, FE model correlation.
CO2M - The Copernicus Earth Observation Mission (Phase B2/C/D)
- Detailed verification of the satellite structure.
Space Related Equipment, Labs & Certificates
Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015