Aerospace & Aviation

In space or in civil aviation – the components used in this environment are subjected to extremely high mechanical stress but must still operate perfectly. FAULHABER drive solutions function reliably in a vacuum and at extremely low temperatures, and ensure safety and comfort for air travel.

Application Highlights

SEIS – Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure

When SEIS reaches its destination at the end of November, the most sensitive seismometer that has ever been built will begin its work on Mars. Six FAULHABER stepper motors with planetary gearheads are currently on their way through space and, after the instrument has landed, will have two tasks: firstly to precisely balance the measuring mechanics and secondly to compensate for the tension forces that occur as a result of severe seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Cimon flight assistant

The aerospace division of Airbus has developed the first artificial assistant for astronauts named CIMON. It has been supporting the crew of the International Space Station ISS in several experiments since June. The little helper's suitability for more significant tasks in the future is also tested and further developed. Motors from FAULHABER enable it to move freely about the station.

Amphibious aircraft

Be it on land, on water or in the air, the Flywhale moves safely and reliably in all three elements. And more than that: It is a special aeronautical pleasure with which to explore the world from above in this amphibious aircraft made from super-light fibre composite material. Innovative drive technology from FAULHABER is also put inside these fascinating seaplanes, which are manufactured in North Germany.

Mars Rover

2020 is the year of the next Rover mission to Mars. The main payload of the Russian Proton rocket: the ExoMars Rover, developed by the European and Russian Space Agencies (ESA & Roskosmos). The plan is for the vehicle to be equipped with nine measuring instruments. Including one that will be mounted on a two-meter mast on the rover.
"The Panoramic Camera", which was developed by Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL-UCL) in collaboration with OHB (Munich), DLR (Berlin) and TAS-CH (Zurich), will take stereo images of the planet.

Cabin equipment

In 2011 there were 15,556 passenger planes and almost as many private jets in operation worldwide. If predictions prove correct, this figure is set to double in the next fifteen years. At the same time there is a marked trend towards equipping aircraft cabins with additional features that provide comfort at the push of a button. This will require an increasing number of small electric motors which, of course, must be as reliable, light and powerful as possible. Drives from FAULHABER are predestined for this area of application – and this is not only the opinion of Robert Varonier who coordinates activities in this market segment for FAULHABER. We spoke to him about the present and future of the motorised flying experience.

Comet probe "Rosetta Mission"

At the end of May 2014, the Rosetta space probe will swing into an orbit around the comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko in order to, after more closely approaching it in August, map its surface and thus prepare for the landing of Philae. On 12th November, this ballistic lander, weighing 100 kg, touched down on the comet and began experiments intended to provide information about its composition. This lander has 14 FAULHABER drive systems which defied the harsh conditions of the 10 year long journey through the vacuum and incredibly low temperatures of space, in order to deliver valuable information on the creation and history of our solar system.

Hexapod

Why is it much warmer one million kilometres away from the sun than on its surface? Even today, we still do not have a definitive answer to this seemingly simple astronomy question. Two satellites, set to go into orbit in 2017 in a formation accurate down to the last millimetre, may be able to help solve the mystery. One satellite will cover the sun, so that the other will be able to observe the hot solar corona undisturbed. In order to install the measuring instruments for this incredible feat of precision, the technicians at the European Space Agency (ESA) are using a hexapod. Manufactured by SYMETRIE, a high-tech company based in the South of France, the hexapod is powered by motors produced by FAULHABER

Control rocket fuel valves

Brushless DC-Servomotors control rocket fuel valves. Amid tightening budgets, space agencies are increasingly looking to the commercial space sector to provide the launch vehicles of the future. Some companies now offer highly reliable and economically viable launch vehicles which can send a large variety of payloads into Earth orbit.

UAVs

Measuring sensor

Microdrives in magnetic field measurement probes on NASA mission. Combining outstanding performance with a small footprint, microdrives are predestined for a wide range of applications. Their low weight and long-term reliability make them useful for space exploration applications, among other things.