New type of propulsion system for SmallGEO “Electra” variant

Bremen, 13.02.2017. OHB System AG is going one decisive step further in the development of the SmallGEO geostationary satellite platform: OHB Sweden (a subsidiary of OHB SE, Prime Standard, ISIN DE0005936124) has now been tasked with developing the electric propulsion system and the Attitude-Orbit-Control software for the fully electric version known as “Electra”.

“Electra” is based on the SmallGEO program developed with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The purpose is to develop a modular geostationary satellite platform in the 3-ton class. Customers can select a classic, hybrid or electric propulsion system for the satellite.

SmallGEO platform “Electra” with fully electric propulsion

With the SmallGEO “Electra” configuration, OHB wants to gain a decisive competitive edge in the commercially attractive telecommunications sector. In view of the enormous weight-saving potential as less fuel has to be carried on board, the payload capacity, i.e. the payload mass and electric power available to the customer for its application on the satellite, will be twice as large in the case of the “Electra” satellite. Similarly, the service life of the satellite and the ability to maneuver it to another orbital position can also be enhanced. Moreover, this configuration offers a broad range of compatible carrier and orbit injection systems (SubGTO, GTO, SSTO). OHB System AG is developing “Electra” in a public-private partnership with ESA and the satellite operator SES under the ESA’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) program. The satellite also complies with ESA’s clean space policy.

At the core of the new platform is the electric propulsion system developed by affiliated company OHB Sweden. The various components will be engineered and tested after which the propulsion module will be integrated and delivered to OHB Bremen for satellite integration. The contract is worth a total of EUR 28.8 million.

High-caliber team of developers

OHB Sweden is performing a large volume of internal development work on a cost-efficient mechanical propellant control system and a tri-axial mechanism (Thor Boom) to reduce the electric propulsion thrusters required. At the same time, it has been able to assemble a high-caliber team of European partners.

The xenon tank with a capacity of 440 liters will be sourced from MT Aerospace AG in Augsburg, Germany, which is also an OHB SE company.  Thales Belgium will be supplying the high-performance electronics, while the 5kW thruster will come from SNECMA/SAFRAN, France. Various mechanical and thermal elements required for the tri-axial mechanism are being provided by RUAG Austria. European partnerships such as these are of crucial importance for projects in key strategic markets of the future such as telecommunications satellites. 

Key components sourced from the OHB Group

For OHB, the contract awarded to its Swedish subsidiary marks an important milestone in the development of the SmallGEO platform. “The modular structure and flexibility of the SmallGEO platform will open the door to the global commercial market for us. This extends beyond the telecommunications market as SmallGEO is also ideally suited for Earth observation projects and research missions,” says Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB System AG. “The fact that we are developing the crucial components for the next step, namely the ‘electric revolution’ in the satellite market, is of great strategic importance for us. “Electra” marks a paradigm change in the geostationary market and, with our technologically significant components, we will be a sought-after partner for further satellite developments projects in other weight classes.”