Engineering for the realms of air and space is the ultimate innovation and testing ground for all aspects of engineering. The challenges dictated by the various aspects and differences of air and space are numerous. Construction of air and space craft, their propulsion, the multitude of applications make for a veritable playground for engineers. Applications of Aerospace Engineering range from aeronautics to space travel, communication technology, space experiments, as well as research pertaining to all of these.
The University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt carries out research in the field of aerospace through its research subsidiary FOTEC, as well as through student projects; some initiated by students, some by the industry as well as other research institutions or by the European Space Agency (ESA). CubeSats, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Autonomous Aircraft, the use and implementation of state-of-the-art materials present a broad field of applications as well as areas to learn and develop. Numerous mission and project types are dedicated to space exploration, but some are purely based on commercial interests. The research in the field of aerospace addresses the following key topics:
For the implementation of research, a CubeSat Lab, an Experiment Lab for fluid mechanics, a Composite Lab and a Lab for development and qualification of propulsion systems and components are available. Read more
Facilities available on site:
The aim of this project, funded by the EU within the frame of H2020, is the development of electron sources using electrite material. FOTEC's task is to test an electron emitter with particularly low power for space applications.
The aim of the project financed by the ESA SCIENCE department is to further develop and optimise the ion thruster developed by FOTEC for future ESA science missions (e.g. LISA, NGGM).
The aim of this ESA project is to determine suitable methods for the production of components from so-called metallic glasses for space applications. FOTEC develops welding parameters for laser beam melting for the additive manufacturing of demonstrators.
The aim of this ESA project is to develop and test a thin (<3 cm) in-plane variable emissivity spacecraft radiator with a size of 10x10 cm², suitable for cubesats. Within a consortium consisting of CSEM (project lead, CH), ENBIO (IE), Heron Engineering (GR), FOTEC is responsible for environmental tests of the developed radiator.
This ESA project is concerned with the development of next generation Active Spacecraft POtential Control (ASPOC) devices, building on experience collected with an instrument built for the NASA MMS mission. Instead of single capillary emitters, porous crowns are used. FOTEC leads the project and develops the emitter modules, the space research institute (IWF) in Graz is responsible for the electronics.
The aim of this ESA project is to qualify the IFM nano and micro thrusters. FOTEC is responsible for further development of the power processing unit as well as for parts of the verifaction testing.
In this ESA project, research is being carried out on HF components, which are produced additively. The aim is to increase the electrical power through new available geometries, to shorten the production and delivery time through higher integration and to reduce volume and mass through the integration of different functions (electrical, thermal, mechanical) in one part. The task of FOTEC is the revision of the design as well as the additive manufacturing of the components.
The aim of this FFG project is to develop an error catalogue for additive polymer matrix composites and multi-material parts as well as to predict the influence of defects on service life by means of FEA simulation. FOTEC produces additive samples and supports the development of a simulation model.
In this FFG-supported project, upgrade potential for the Indium Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) thruster developed by FOTEC and commercialised by ENPULSION will be investigated. A significant increase in power density necessitates development of modified electronics and thermal management solutions. Possibilities of manufacturing heat pipes with an additive manufacturing process will be investigated.
The aim of this ESA project ist to develop and test concepts of integrating propellant storage functions into (primary) satellite structures exploitung advanced manufacturing techniques, such as additive manufacturing.
Through its NEOSAT project, ESA aims to help Europe's space industry become more competitive. The new communications satellite platform could reduce orbital operating costs by up to 30 percent compared to conventional satellites. FOTEC's task is to additively manufacture a bracket for a solar panel, whereby the focus is not only on additive manufacturing, but also on design and FEM-based simulation.
The aim of this ESA project is to carry out a long-term test of an indium-FEEP thruster (> 30,000 hours) and to optimize the ion emitter technology.
The aim of this ESA project is the development and characterization of a cluster of 7 individual Indium FEEP thruters to enable the adaptation of the orbit of microsatellites.
In this ESA project, a system for thermoacoustic electricity generators for satellites was studied. In the consortium with Airbus Group Innovation (FR) and Hekyom (FR), led by Surrey Space Technologies Limited (SSTL, UK), FOTEC was responsible for system-level modelling and the development roadmap.
The aim of this ESA project is to design, build and test an indium FEEP thruster for CubeSats. Tests included environmental tests such as radiation tests as well as ion beam characterization.
The aim of this ESA project is the design and manufacture of antenna components on satellites using additive manufacturing. This allows the components to be manufactured much lighter, more compact and without the screw connections that are still necessary today.
This ESA project aims at developing a hydrogen storage solution for a regenerative fuel cell system for satellites in cooperation with Prototech (Norway) and Thales Alenia (France). FOTEC is responsible for the development of the hydrogen storage system.
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