The brief

SMILE (Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) is a joint mission being developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Due for launch in late 2021, SMILE will study the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere. As part of the project, Barum & Dewar was approached by the University of Leicester (UoL), who is the Principal Investigator Institute of the Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) instrument on SMILE to provide a bespoke transit container for the SXI. 

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The solution

Having reviewed the client specification and being aware of their past product offerings, the Barum & Dewar team agreed that a bespoke fabricated container, based upon a previous design, would be the best approach given the size of the payload. This meant that the container could be optimised to suit the hardware and include peripheral hardware that the specification required. The final deliverable was a bespoke container with a wire shock mounted plate for shock and vibration isolation that was painted internally and externally, and fully labelled.

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Barum & Dewar value

Barum & Dewar’s experience in this area enabled the design team to identify a solution that would be the best approach for this specification. Additionally, with an established relationship already existing between Barum & Dewar and UoL, the teams were able to work collaboratively on the design and once finalised, the client could trust that Barum & Dewar would deliver to its deadlines. 

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Client impact

Timing was a key element of the client’s requirement. The approach taken by Barum & Dewar of utilising proven tried and tested design elements, meant that risk was minimised, and the delivery date could be achieved without compromising on design or quality.

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Barum & Dewar project feedback

Barum & Dewar is delighted to once again be supplying bespoke packaging to the space sector for the transportation of its vital equipment and minimising risk within a challenging environment.