ION TRAP MASS SPECTROMETER (ITMS)
A Return to the Moon
With heritage going back to Rosetta we were delighted, not only to be given the opportunity to develop the ITMS (a key part of the Open University's Ptolemy instrument), but to support the entire mechanical function; from design, analysis, testing and interface/supplier management. This has meant working with ESA, RAL Space and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center on behalf of our client, the Open University.Having sucessfully passed CDR, we subsequently supported the vibration testing of the ITMS, which involved further collaborative efforts with RAL Space and NASA. The ITMS, which is part of a sophisticated instrument package, has now been delivered to NASA and is ready to launch. The expected launch date is the end of 2023.
PROSPECTING THE MOON
In Search of Water on the Moon
Expanding on the work done on the ITMS, we were given the opportunity to increase our support to the Open University on another prestigious Luna programme, where we are providing a full suite of engineering services, from design, mechanical and thermal analysis, testing, interface/supplier management and integration.For this mission, we are supporting the development of ProSPA, a miniature scientific laboratory, which will be part of ESA’s PROSPECT package and a payload on a forthcoming NASA-led Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) mission.ProSPA is an incredibly complex instrument and a collaborative effort with ESA, Leonardo, Airbus, RAL Space, the Max Plank Institute, DIAL and several other suppliers. DASTEC Consulting are delighted to be central to the OU's engineering function, helping to coordinate and integrate all stakeholders, whilst supporting the mechanical/thermal design, analysis and testing.
LUNAR POLAR EXPLORATION (LUPEX)
Lunar Exposure
Our support to the Open University continues to evolve as we have had the opportunity to develop the ITMS further on the joint Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission. This is a Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mission to explore the lunar surface, but this time in a different capacity.
UMBRELLA RADIATION MONITOR (URM)
Radiation Detection and Protection
DASTEC Consulting was invited to support Umbrella Space Science Ltd (USSL) on the design and development of their innovative, low-cost radiation monitor.
It has been a real pleasure to offer mechanical and thermal engineering support throughout their journey from concept through to qualification level testing.
As a start-up, one of the biggest challenges is navigating the myriad requirements, ECSS documentation, the various mechanical and thermal environments; all whilst developing a design that will satisfy all criteria. However, DASTEC were able to successfully remove the burden of the mechanical/thermal aspects, leaving USSL to focus on the objectives of radiation detection.