During recent months Barum & Dewar have been proud to have supplied a number of large specialist storage and transit containers used to safely deliver multi-million pound satellites from factory to launch sites in both Russia and Kazakhstan. These bespoke containers represent some of the best in custom design and fabrication undertaken by B&D in this demanding of market sectors.

It should not to forgotten that B&D’s principle aim as a solution provider is to ensure that the best solution is selected for each and every client application. A recent project undertaken for our long standing client, Qinetiq demonstrates this approach perfectly and of the core values that underpin B&D’s everyday activities.

Qinetiq approached Barum & Dewar in 2013 with an exciting new project and a requirement for a quantity of specialist hand carry containers initially suggesting that bespoke containers we had supplied for a previous project were what they had in mind. Once a detailed specification was received and reviewed B&D’s Tech Design team looked at all options and eventually settled on a simpler custom solution based on a standard Zarges K475 case – its existing certification and qualifications being key drivers. A bespoke integrated attenuation plate supported by specially selected wire mounts was installed to provide shock and vibration dampening. Desiccant basket, pressure relief valve, lifting points, custom fixings, data logger were all added and the container was finished with full paint and labelling.

The use of an “off the shelf” outer case from B&D’s range of distributed products as the basis for this project, whilst not anticipated by Qinetiq at the outset, helped to reduce costs without sacrificing any performance requirements.

B&D supply the full range of Zarges containers all of which can be customised as necessary.

Barum & Dewar are well known for its highly regarded satellite containers but our experience in the Space sector and innovative design capabilities are equally suited when other space related items require to be protected and placed in containers.

Many space projects can take several years to reach the point when transportation containers are required but when key client SSTL required a bespoke container solution for their GMP-T project (Geostationary Minisatellite Platform) in a matter of weeks and included some height and assembly criteria, B&D had to work fast. The container was to be used to transport safely parts of the structural engineering model of the geostationary satellite, the GMP-T.

With an assembled height of around 4m 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 flatpacked for storage and empty shipping. The use of aluminium honeycomb panels reduced weight whilst retaining strength.

From concept to delivery in 8 weeks was a great achievement and testamony to all involved.

It has been a busy time for B&D’s satellite containers recently – whilst one was bound for Russia another was making the equally lengthy journey to the launch facility at Baikonur in Kazakhstan.

Although our bespoke containers don’t make it all the way to space themselves they do carry the precious satellites on the first part of their long journey. This initial journey from factory to launch site is a pretty dangerous one for satellites designed to operate in space and therefore the satellite containers B&D design and manufacture need to be up to the job in hand.

Thankfully, having been supplying satellite container solutions for over 20 years’ to the Space Sector, B&D not only have a highly skilled team in place but have lots of experience too. This combination provides our clients such as SSTL with the confidence to entrust their multi-million pound, technology driven, leading edge cargos to our containers. That and our excellent track record.

Now safely transported to Kazakhstan SSTL’s TechDemoSat-1 satellite has been unloaded and is being prepared for launch on 8 July 2014. It is an innovative satellite that will trial UK space technologies with the aim of winning substantial international business. It will function as an “in-orbit test facility” for innovative UK payloads and software. A large mission for a small satellite, the successful delivery and ultimate decommissioning of TechDemoSat-1 will enable UK industry and academia to qualify on board payloads and UK satellite software, thereby overcoming the problem of a lack of in orbit flight heritage that often becomes a major barrier to commercial success in the space industry.

Barum & Dewar can’t offer to get your satellite into space but we can get it safely to a suitable launch site.

The SSTL KazMRES satellite will be launched today from a site in Russia having been safely transported from the UK in a B&D designed and manufactured transit container.

After three years of development and production the team at SSTL once again entrusted B&D with task of producing a suitable shipping container for this new satellite being built for the Republic of Kazakhstan. The container is just the latest in a long line of bespoke containers supplied by B&D to SSTL designed to ensure that the cutting-edge technology contained within each of its satellites is protected throughout its journey from the UK to launch site.

The KazMRES satellite is a medium resolution multi-spectral earth observation satellite which will deliver wide swath imagery of the Kazakh territory and other parts of the Earth.

With over 20 years’ experience in the Space Sector, the B&D Technical Design Team are fully aware of the responsibility that is placed with them as any damage to the satellite during transportation would have a huge impact on the whole project.

Stephen O’Donnell, Head of Assembly Integration and Test at SSTL, commented “The flight containers we use to ship our satellites out to launch sites across the world are vital to ensure that our multi-million pound spacecraft arrive in perfect condition.  We have used B&D to supply bespoke containers to us for many years and are very pleased with the product and the level of service we receive from the company. “

From a detailed scope B&D designed, manufactured and tested the container before handing over to SSTL for installation and shipment.

Barum & Dewar are delighted to be exhibiting at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow. As one of the world’s largest exhibitions and air displays, the show provides a wealth of dedicated and focused business platforms for the global aerospace industry.

For further information including visitor registration, directions and opening times link to www.farnborough.com/trade