Clive Towndrow

ASTRONICS CORP: FLYING TO NEW HEIGHTS Excited to share an article about Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO), a supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace, defense, and other mission-critical industries. Over the past year, Astronics has shown remarkable growth, with a 28.5% YoY increase in revenues for FY23. This upward trajectory is expected to continue, driven by favorable market dynamics and compelling growth drivers, making Astronics an exciting prospect to watch. Read on to find out more! https://lnkd.in/gUcBNxUp Astronics Corporation Peter Gundermann David C. Burney James Kramer Mark Peabody James Mulato #technology #aerospace #defense #aircraft #aviation #communications #commercialization #airbus #risk #profit #market #nasdaqlive #aviseanalytics

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As NASA focuses on exploring the Moon, Mars, and the solar system for the benefit of humanity, the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is shifting how it prioritizes technology development. As part of this refinement effort, NASA is asking the American aerospace community for feedback on nearly 190 national space technology needs – or shortfalls – it has identified for future space exploration and science endeavors https://lnkd.in/gp4CCJS8

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More details on #Artemis heat shield issue and other risks from 5/1 report uncovered in the Artemis 1 flight campaign. Was interesting to see photos of avocat damage not previously released. Was also very interesting to hear there was thermal erosion of heat multiple heat shield separation bolts due to inaccurate thermal modeling. And blast damage to the mobile launcher was due at least in part to inaccurate low frequency acoustic modeling. As I’ve stated before, I’m glad that the NASA risk management model puts final flight readiness decision power in the hands of the astronauts! Hopefully that cadre is given comprehensive data and true freedom to determine a final “ready for launch” finding without undue political pressure.

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Could airships lift payloads into orbit? JP Aerospace has designed a three-stage system to get their Orbital Ascender airship-to-orbit concept off the ground. Jamie Little, our Cofounder and CTO, is intrigued by the approach John Powell, President of JP Aerospace, is taking. She says, "I love the Ascender concept. Using an airship to lift a rocket to the upper atmosphere will dramatically reduce the amount of propellant necessary to achieve orbital velocity. It also eliminates the need for the lower stages of the rocket itself since you don't need giant propellant tanks or atmospherically-optimized rocket nozzles.” We’re excited to see the ways in which aiships are revolutionizing aviation! #Airships #Orbit #AirshipToOrbit #SpaceInnovation https://lnkd.in/ej_ZvsPe

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Advanced Power for Extreme Space Exploration! Consider submitting an abstract to this special session we are putting together at the AIAA SciTech 2025 Conference. Go to aiaa.org/SciTech to submit your abstract, and select “Other Topics in Aerospace Power Systems."

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Our next Tech Feature is ready to take “FLITES” and showcase what the future of high fidelity simulations will look like for the US Air Force, U.S. Space Force and beyond. The Fast Line-of-sight Imagery for Targets and Exhaust-plume Signatures - or FLITES - software is creating a more in-depth representation of the real-world in simulated IR, UV and Visual spectrum. These simulations come together in time-sequenced radiance images from the sensor’s perspective, which coupled with the fact that FLITES primary design is that of an Application Programming Interface, or API - it’s an excellent fit for large scale simulations and specialized physics-based software models. #AFResearchLab | #TechTuesday | #FLITES | #ModelingandSimulation

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Moving forward

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Microchip Launches Radiation-Tolerant DC-DC Converters for Space Applications Microchip has introduced the LE50-28 series, a new line of radiation-tolerant DC-DC converters tailored for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. These converters, available in nine variants with single- and triple-output options, aim to enhance the power and SWaP (size, weight, and power) efficiency of satellite payloads. Key Features: ① Radiation Tolerance: Withstands up to 50 Krad total ionizing dose and offers single event effects latch-up immunity of 37 MeV×cm²/mg. ② High Efficiency: Achieves 80% power conversion efficiency at full load, supporting up to 50 W of power. Up to 200 W is achievable by paralleling four converters. ③ Lightweight Design: Weighs 120 g, with the accompanying EMI filter at 82 g, ideal for size and weight-constrained satellite applications. ④ Robust Performance: Operates off a standard 28-V bus with output voltage ranges between 3.3 V and 28 V. Offers a million hours of mean time between failures, ensuring reliability in harsh space environments. ⑤ MIL-STD Compliance: Meets MIL-STD-461 for EMI and provides a fast route to qualification for satellite applications. Strategic Impact: The LE50-28 series allows space industry designers to integrate high-performance, radiation-tolerant power solutions quickly and cost-effectively. By using standard packages, these converters facilitate the reuse of existing circuits, streamlining development processes and reducing costs. Microchip’s LE50-28 series reinforces its robust space-grade portfolio, meeting the growing demand for reliable electronics in the aerospace sector. Website: www.ftcelectronics.com Email: info@ftcelectronics.com #Microchip #SpaceTechnology #DCConverters #LEOSatellites #RadiationTolerant #Innovation #AerospaceElectronics

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Synchronization of oscillatory growth prepares fungal hyphae for fusion In fungi, oscillations are a well-described feature of hyphal tip extension, where calcium ions control vesicle accumulation, actin depolymerization, and vesicle fusion with the tip membrane .

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CCS5 Powering 30+ Space Missions! At Terma, we take pride in being the driving force behind over 30 successful missions. From Euclid to MTG, OneWeb to Galileo, and the historic Rosetta mission, CCS5 has been at the forefront, ensuring unparalleled testing, integration, and mission control excellence. Our partners have reaped remarkable benefits with CCS5: 🚀 Security Features Trust in the security of your operations. CCS5 is equipped with robust security features, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of your mission-critical data. 🚀 Value for Money Maximize your investment with CCS5. We offer excellent value for money with a high quality performance. 🚀 Agile Corrections and Improvements Our system allows for swift corrections and improvements, fulfilling customer wishes. 🚀High Data Handling Capability With its unparalleled ability to manage high data rates, CCS5 stands as the go-to solution for seamless satellite operations. Check comments for more information. #CCS5 #TermaSpace #Space #WorldClassExpertise #ChallengingTasks

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Plenty of plane types and capabilities to assure mission success.

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Very interesting use of ICEYE daily frequency interferometry to better understand glacier melting in Antactica.

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NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications Demo Transmits Data Over 140 Million Miles NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology demonstration, housed aboard the Psyche spacecraft, has successfully transmitted data over a distance of 140 million miles (~225 million km). This achievement, which took place on April 8, 2024, represents a significant step forward in the development of advanced optical communication systems for future deep space missions. The Psyche mission, which carries the DSOC technology demonstration, is a journey to a unique metal-rich asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. What makes the asteroid Psyche unique is that it appears to be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet, one of the building blocks of our solar system. This mission aims to provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of planetary bodies. The DSOC experiment transmits data at rates 10 to 100 times faster than current Radio Frequency (RF) systems. During the test, the laser communications demo sent a copy of engineering data at a rate of 25 Megabits per second (Mbps), surpassing the project's goal of achieving at least 1 Mbps at this distance. This technology could be used from relay satellites on exploration missions, such as those on Mars, to enable the transmission of scientific information, high-definition imagery, and video at high speeds. Optical communications will play a vital role in ensuring reliable, high-bandwidth communication between Earth and distant spacecraft. The DSOC experiment has also demonstrated the ability to receive data from Earth-based laser facilities and relay test data, in a round trip spanning up to 280 million miles. By combining multiple ground stations to avoid cloud cover, the project team has showcased the potential of using laser communication from large distances at faster rates than possible with RF communication.   #NASAPsyche #OpticalCommunications #DeepSpaceCommunication  #LaserCommunications  #InnovativeTechnology #FutureOfSpaceComms    

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Military, aerospace and defense programs last for decades and require long-life systems from a long-life supplier. When it comes to Pre-Planned Product Improvements and technology refresh, find out how we at General Micro Systems keep our finger on the pulse and adapt to long-life, rugged defense applications: https://lnkd.in/gYxBSp-J #P3I #ModularComputers #NextGenSystems

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NASA is soliciting industry proposals to carry out rapid studies of mission designs and mission elements capable of delivering samples collected by the Mars Perseverance rover from the surface of Mars to Earth. NASA recognizes that U.S. industry has innovative ideas and substantial capabilities that may be relevant to a Mars Sample Return campaign. This Rapid Mission Design Studies for Mars Sample Return program element (henceforth “program element”) seeks to establish whether there are viable mission designs or mission element options, such as a smaller Mars Ascent Vehicle, to return samples from Mars that offer benefits (e.g., less complexity, lower overall cost, lower annual cost, earlier sample return, and/or lower risk; see Section 3.4) compared to NASA’s reference mission design. Studies may be for complete mission designs, for mission designs that include elements of NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program or NASA’s Artemis Program as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), or for individual mission elements; see Section 3.2. The results of these studies may inform revisions to NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program and may result in future procurements. go.nasa.gov/rasmsr24

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Save the date and understand how 3D metrology can improve in-line measurement of flexible electronics and photovoltaic foils. OE-A (Organic and Printed Electronics Association) #gianlucamartini #avionics #actuators #powerelectronics #mechatronics #robotics #productmanagement #innovation

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