What benefits do the Materials and Components Laboratories deliver?
The Laboratories supply expertise for the European space community to investigate the effects of space on materials, parts and processes, and the causes of parts failures and mission anomalies.
Laboratory testing is a source of hands-on experience for the maintenance of engineering competence and ongoing training of ESA technical officers. And because these facilities are located on the same site as ESA project offices, relevant technical problems can be tackled on a joint basis.
The Laboratories' research findings have also led to the creation and maintenance of an authoritative database of materials, hardware and processes qualified for space applications. Their results have also guided the establishment of industrial production standards that help ensure the success of future missions.
