The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
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Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
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Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Image of the final rotor demonstrator.
A GSTP funded activity utilised the benefits of additive manufacturing with laser powder bed fusion technologies to improve the material properties of soft magnetic material.
A rotor for a magnetic bearing was designed, acting as a demonstrator, and manufactured from a nickel iron alloy. The demonstrator was successfully verified through testing and inspection, raising the technology readiness level to 4. The rotor reached a part density of over 99.5 % and a tensile strength above 365 MPa, with improvements in the magnetic properties of the nickel iron alloy, including high permeability and low coercivity. Furthermore, the manufacturing of a light weight, lattice-like structure permits the creation of more complex design elements, with an increased design freedom, which improves the overall efficiency of satellite actuators.