ALE Manufactures Composite Antennas for ESA Satellites
Over the last year ALE has produced a number of satellite antennas for the European Space Agency (ESA) in Noordwijk. Two of these antennas will be fitted onto a satellite as a part of the SPEDE project (Spacecraft Potential, Electron and Dust Experiment). On the ends of the 60 cm antennas electric sensors are mounted that are used for measurements. The production of an antenna starts with filament winding a tapered hollow tube from high modulus carbon fibre with a high temperature epoxy resin. The antenna is then fitted with a small end cap from the same material and glued into an aluminium bracket. The whole product weights slightly more than 100 grams. Two series of qualification models were made which were subjected to severe mechanical testing on a shaker. The antennas that are currently being produced are the flight models that will be used in space.