Barum & Dewar is thrilled to announce that they have been awarded a single delivery contract from Belgian company, Aerospacelab. 

Aerospacelab is one of the leading European businesses specialising in Geospatial intelligence and small satellite platforms. Their new project, The PROBA-V Cubesat, a small, low-cost satellite is part of a 12-unit mission that will provide vegetation monitoring of the entire world’s plant growth.

With a launch date scheduled for late 2021, Aerospacelab were looking for a partner to design and supply a suitable transit and storage container to accommodate the PROBA-V companion CubeSat during trials and final delivery to the launch site. Due to the nature of the equipment, the brief from the client had various other conditions that had to be met in order for the solution to be suitable. The other requirements were that the container must protect the delicate equipment from shock, vibration, environmental issues and be suitable for use within ISO 5 cleanroom conditions. In addition, the container is required to allow nitrogen purging.

Having previously provided a solution for a similar challenge to another client, Qinetiq, the Barum & Dewar team was chosen to deliver the contract. By drawing upon the success of a previous field proven solution, B&D was able to offer the client a fast response and a reduced risk solution.

What makes Barum & Dewar's methodology so unique when delivering projects is the partnership philosophy with clients and suppliers that ensures a full engagement with all parties throughout and this project is certainly no different. The design will utilise an aluminium container from partner supplier, Zarges’s K475 range which provided certified environmental approvals. This also provides a perfect base into which all other features could be incorporated. Shock and vibration requirements were dealt with through the selection of high-performance wire rope isolation mounts from partners, Socitec, which were integrated into design of the container and fitted to a bespoke interface plate. Clamping system, auto PRV, humidity indicator, purge valves, full paint and labelling were all added.

Managing Director of B&D, David Frame, commented, “This is a new client for B&D and our first order from them. As part of our overarching business strategy, we had set a goal to widen our client base in Central Europe, with Belgium being a key target location so we are delighted to have this contract signed off with our new customer. The space sector is a market we actively target at B&D as we look to diversify our portfolio across Europe, having previously delivered successful projects to space clients in Belgium and other parts of the world. We have one other existing Belgian client, so we are delighted to now include Aerospacelab as another key client in the country and the team are looking forward to successful project delivery and making further connections.”

With the new digital way of working, Barum & Dewar has found that working with clients in other parts of the world have been no different than working with the UK based clients. Drawings were shared online with the client for approval and meetings were able to progress through digital communication channels, resulting in a quick turnaround and having all aspects of the design and development fully controlled in-house by B&D’s technical design team ensured the speed of response on a short lead-time was met. The client confidence provided by B&D through the proposed fully detailed, costed and scheduled solution which enabled the client to commit quickly to the contract which has been a great step forward for Barum & Dewar in their European business development plans.