B&D’s innovative DELTA® range of fully configurable containers proved the ideal solution once again for the latest SSTL variant of its GMP-T small geostationary satellite platform.The “Eutelsat Quantum” will be SSTL’s first geostationary satellite platform and the design is based on the SSTL GMP-T satellite product, a small and scalable geostationary craft with a design life of 15 years, payload power of up to 7 KW, and payload mass of up to 450kg.

The flexibility offered by the DELTA® style container is a key attraction enabling the almost 4 metre high container to be reduced to less than 1 metre for storage and return shipping. Further features are due to be added to this container in early 2017 as the space qualification model undergoes a series of tests.

The ability to create a bespoke container solution which is re-usable, adaptable, can be reconfigured for future use and reduced in height for empty shipping and storage are just some of the key features of the DELTA® container range.

With height restrictions in many test facilities it becomes impractical to lift a conventionally constructed container lid up and over an almost 4 metre high satellite. With an assembled height of around 4 metres the container not only had to be robust and strong but also needed to be capable of being assembled and opened manually without the need of mechanical cranes. The container was designed in sections with each part easily man handled – the final design also enabled the empty container to be flat packed for storage and empty shipping. The use of aluminium honeycomb panels reduced weight whilst retaining strength.

Barum & Dewar are a leading UK manufacturer of complete packaging solutions to the Defence, Subsea, Industrial, Instrumentation, Space and Aerospace sectors with over 20 years’ experience in these markets. Capabilities include technical design services using the latest 3D CAD, manufacture of highly engineered and bespoke shipping containers, handling equipment, tarpaulin covers as well as off the shelf transit cases, 19” racks and containers.

Further information is available from our website www.barumanddewar.com