Leading worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems, Moog, has contracted Barum & Dewar to design and manufacture a custom storage and shipping container for its Small Launch Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (SL-OMV).

The SL-OMV is a lightweight and low-cost propulsive adapter that distributes small satellites and cubesats. The SL-OMV provides the ability to deploy multiple payloads to different orbits. The system features composite structures, standard cubesat interfaces and a green propulsion system enabling launches from spaceports and other facilities that do not have hazardous payload processing capabilities. This spacecraft will advance commercial spaceflight by increasing the quality and availability of data for small satellite missions.

The SL-OMV’s maiden voyage will launch as part of UK Space Agency’s Spaceflight Programme from the UK’s first commercial spaceport at the Sutherland site in Melness, Scotland.

Barum & Dewar is delighted to announce that it will be working together with new client Astroscale to support its ELSA-M mission, which is set to launch at the end of 2024.

Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the leading company dedicated to in-orbit servicing across all orbits. Astroscale is developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of in-orbit servicing to create sustainable space systems and mitigate the growing and hazardous build-up of debris in space.

The ELSA-M mission is part of the European Space Agency’s Sunrise Programme and is a partnership with the UK Space Agency and commercial satellite operator OneWeb. The mission is designed to develop a servicer spacecraft that will be capable of capturing and de-orbiting multiple satellites in a single full-service commercial mission.

Astroscale reached out to Barum & Dewar to design, develop, manufacture, test and deliver a suitable transit and storage container for the ELSA-M servicer.

The container is required to safely transport the ELSA-M spacecraft both domestically and internationally providing a secure, clean, and dry environment. In addition, the containers will need to protect the payload from shock, vibration and ground handling movements whilst providing safe working load practices.

With over 20 years’ experience in the Space sector, Barum & Dewar is able to provide clients such as Astroscale with a high degree of confidence and proven heritage. As a recognised and trusted supplier to many of the key players in the space sector, Barum & Dewar has the credentials to contribute and suggest features and recommended approaches to container design.

Simon Prasad, AIV Group Manager at Astroscale, said of the contract agreement,

"Having successfully utilised Barum & Dewar's transport solutions in the past, they were my first choice for Astroscale UK's ELSA-M. Working together with Barum & Dewar's excellent design team, we have a solution that is now in manufacture, targeting delivery to Astroscale UK's new cleanroom facility at the end of this year. I am looking forward to working with Barum & Dewar as we progress to the flight spacecraft."

To keep up to date with all things Astroscale, follow them on Twitter.

Barum & Dewar is pleased to announce that it has secured a sizeable multi-system contract for the design and manufacture of deployable transit cases for Leonardo.

The Hostile Artillery Locating (HALO) system is currently in service with over ten nations including the British Army, Canadian Army and US Marine Corps. The demand for HALO continues to grow due to the ever-increasing threat from electronic warfare based targeting and anti-radar weapon systems countering radar-based weapon locating systems.

HALO incorporates highly sophisticated acoustic data processing techniques to determine the Point of Origin (POO) and Point of Impact (POI) locations of enemy artillery and mortars with high accuracy, exceptional speed and reliability.

Barum & Dewar has developed a range of rugged deployable case and container designs based on its field-proven DELTA range. This fully custom orientated range offers a single style of container for all parts of the HALO system enabling space optimisation, weight reduction and a recognisable system solution.

Following the contract award, Barum & Dewar will finalise case designs and production will begin in a matter of weeks, with systems due to be delivered before the end of 2022 and early 2023.

Barum & Dewar is delighted to announce that it has been invited to join Space Scotland.

Space Scotland is a not-for-profit organisation working across industry, academia and government to deliver Scotland’s Space Strategy and secure the future of Scotland’s space sector.

Space has become a critical part of the national infrastructure and of the economic and social fabric of Scotland, the UK and the international community. Satellite, data and communications technologies are behind most aspects of everyday life including online banking, shopping transactions, mapping, location applications, weather forecasts and online meetings.

With over 25 years’ experience working with both UK and global clients in the space sector as a supplier of transit and storage containers for both flight hardware and ground support equipment, Barum & Dewar is looking forward to lending its expertise to Space Scotland and helping to shape the future of the Scottish space sector.

Find out more about Space Scotland here: https://scottishspace.org/

Barum & Dewar has been proudly working with Aerospacelab for several years. The relationship began in 2019 when Aerospacelab approached Barum & Dewar to design and supply a suitable transportation container for its PROBA-V companion cubesat (PVCC).

Established in Belgium, Switzerland and France, Aerospacelab is a fast-growing company created in 2018, counting more than 140 full time employees. With a unique vertically integrated approach, Aerospacelab is specialised in satellite platforms and geospatial intelligence. It designs, manufactures and operates constellations of remote sensing satellites, empowering intelligence and insights by its proprietary satellite data.

Following the success of the PVCC project and Barum & Dewar’s proven track record working in the challenging space sector, Aerospacelab approached Barum & Dewar once more to design and manufacture three specialist containers for its Versatellite Satellite Platforms (VSP).

The VSP satellite containers needed to provide environmental protection as well as mechanical dampening and protection from mechanical loads during transportation. The container also needed to be sealed, ISO 7 clean room compatible and suitable for nitrogen purging.

Satellite containers are engineered, precision manufactured items whose performance during transportation is crucial to safeguard the payload at crucial stages on its journey. Barum & Dewar offer a proven design and build service to clients who face these challenges and concerns.

Taking the brief into consideration, Barum & Dewar was immediately able to identify the most suitable container construction method and concept for this project.

Barum & Dewar proposed a fully fabricated aluminium container with a shallow base and deep removal lid of welded and riveted construction. A bespoke sub-frame to provide support for wire shock mounts and a custom interface plate onto which the payload would be secured. Stainless steel sittings, desiccant port, purge valves and lifting points would all be included and once fully painted the container would be labelled with all warning signs and branding.

By demonstrating a thorough understanding of the client’s brief and the environment in which it operates, Barum & Dewar provided support and reassurance to Aerospacelab and provided full design details and drawings in addition to CAD models ahead of manufacture which enabled the proposed design to be fully checked and discussed before moving into production.

Production of the VSP containers is underway, and delivery is scheduled towards the end of 2022.

David Frame, Managing Director at Barum & Dewar, said of the project,

“We are thrilled to be working with Aerospacelab again and are happy to see that our approach of utilising field proven design features, construction techniques and high-quality materials has helped to build trust and confidence between the two parties.”

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About Aerospacelab

Established in Belgium, Switzerland and France, Aerospacelab is a fast-growing company created in 2018, counting more than 140 full time employees. With a unique vertically integrated approach, Aerospacelab is specialised in satellite platforms and geospatial intelligence. It designs, manufactures, and operates constellations of remote sensing satellites, empowering intelligence and insights by its proprietary satellite data.

www.aerospacelab.be | Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook

For more information or press enquiries, please contact Erika Verbelen, Marketing and Communications Manager (Erika.Verbelen@aerospacelab.be, +32 470 32 61 55)