We concluded our incubation period with ESA BIC CZ by a successful final review. We presented the ATLAS22 non-explosive release actuator together with future plans of the company to accelerate space markets through portfolio of smart components.
SPACERACE unveiled ATLAS22 at SpaceTechExpo 2023 | November 2023
We were excited to finally unveil ATLAS22 non-explosive release actuator together with Initiation Control Unit and preload device UNIKA to the world at the largest European space show in Bremen!
SPACERACE met with president of the Czech Republic | September 2023
SPACERACE had an opportunity to be 1 of 10 companies to present their vision to Czech president Petr Pavel and representatives of South Moravian county. The meeting was charged with positive energy that will fuel us for quite some time 🚀.
Mr. president seemed delighted to hear that our ATLAS hold down and release actuators can safely hold his whole limousine if needed ...until he learned we can release it in miliseconds too :-).
Prototype test campaign finished | June 2023
The test campaign of the prototypes of ATLAS hold down and release actuator and it's Initiation Control Unit (ICU) is nearly finished with more than 100 full preload releases with the same hardware! As advertised, reset of the device can be done within 30 seconds. The prototypes served as a design demonstrators that are now followed by qualification models - final products which will undergo harsh and unforgiving full qualification.
Mid Term Review successful | May 2023
The company passed the major incubation review ahead of schedule. The major lessons learned from the development and testing of ATLAS prototype were presented together with the plan towards the qualification model and first commercial units of ATLAS release actuators.
SPACERACE at Paris Space Week | March 2023
SPACERACE participated in B2B space industry event ParisSpaceWeek and presented the advantages of use of ATLAS release actuators for development and ground testing of space mechanisms in the scope of ESA Space Challange pitch contest.
SPACERACE selected by ESA BIC | November 2022
SPACERACE company was selected by ESA Business Incubation Centre Czech Republic for the development of ATLAS release actuators for ground testing of space mechanisms. This achievement, among other support, secured 50 000 € for the actuator development.
Use of ATLAS will enable our customers to properly test their mechanisms both at a lower cost and at a higher rate than was possible before. The first ATLAS units will get our customers faster in second half of 2023.
Richard is a true space freak who dedicated his professional life to space industry. As a structural engineer, Richard worked on missions like EUCLID, James Webb Space Telescope or Proba3 in the European Space Agency. After that, as a space systems engineer, he has been developing space technologies in the Czech Republic for ESA as well as various European commercial space players. Richard makes sure that our customers are provided with exceptional product experience.
Tomáš Valenta
Chief business developer
Mechanical engineer by heart and soul. Tomáš designed space mechanisms and related ground support equipment for JUICE mission or new generation of solar arrays. He has more than eight years experience of general mechanical design and project management in mechanical industry, manufacturing and post processing. He is also experienced entrepreneur and coach. In SPACERACE, Tomáš takes care of our customers and help them to select the best solution to their needs.
Testing and qualification of space mechanisms can be slow and painful process. Especially when release actuators are involved. Some of these devices can be only fired once and then sent for refurbishment to the United States. Some can be refurbished on site in exchange for high costs and considerable time spent with resets. Some of the new generation devices are resettable, but are limited in number of releases. We have been there and we decided that we do not want to select the least evil.
So we created ATLAS. In 2024 SPACERACE brings a rapidly resettable substitution of space qualified release actuators for ground testing. Resettable under 1 minute only with supplied tooling. Designed for efficiency, ergonomy and reliability. Designed to make you faster.
The ICU (Initiation Control Unit) is a user centered control electronics designed for easy initiation of ATLAS actuators in ground test campaigns of space mechanisms. With intuitive control software, configuration of release scenarios becomes simple - achieved within seconds with a few clicks on your PC. This unit ensures guaranteed synchronized activation of up to 5 actuators (10 independent power lines) via current pulse with millisecond precision.
The unit is able to sumultaneously deliver a current pulse up to 10 A (achieveable value depending on circuit resistance). Although developed for ATLAS, it is compatible with any fuse-based non-explosive release actuators and the completely enclosed design is cleamroom friendly. Do not hesitate to contact our technical team to discuss the compatability with your release actuators.
The ICU integrates robust safety features. Activation from an internal memory and a tripled safety barrier ensures enhanced protection during actuator initialization, effectively minimizing potential risks and ensuring security of operation.
The ICU package includes the unit itself, accompanied by a laptop with user-friendly software for seamless control, and a dedicated transportation box for convenience and protection during transportation and storage.
SPACERACE introduces the new generation of preload devices. Light, compact, powerful and clean. Typical use is for preload of Hold Down and Release Mechanisms on spacecraft. Preload is achieved electronically by controlled heating of the Shape Memory Alloy in a force feedback loop using internal load cell. The device is corrosion resistive, without use of any fluid or grease or any parts under heavy friction. Thus, it can be safely operated in clean room environment.
It is designed to be operated in small and difficult to access locations (HDRM tunnels in solar array) and can be operated on external battery. Final tightening of the nut is achieved through the device itself – no side access to the nut is required! Except cleanrooms, UNIKA can be operated hand held out-door in severe environmental conditions of other industries.
UNIKA proof of concept was succesfully demonstrated (TRL4) and the product is planned to be lauched in 2025.
Junior manufacturing and test engineer | Part time
We are looking for passionate individuals to help us to qualify the ATLAS hold down and release actuators for use with space hardware according to European space standards ECSS and subsequently produce the commercial units to support an ESA project. The job is particularly well suiting (but not limited to) engineering university students or graduates looking for a part time job and work experience.
What should you have:
- High school graduation or higher
- Manual dexterity and engineering skills (previous participation in school/university technical projects is an asset)
- Experience with standard workshop tools
- Feeling for detail
- Responsibility above standards
- Capability to work both alone and in a small team
- Problem solving mindset
- Willingness to learn
- Proficiency in written english (fluent English is an asset)
- Passion for space industry and science
- Experience with 3D modelling (CAD) and FDM 3D printing is an asset
What will be your responsibility:
- Preparation of manufacturing and integration
- Quality assurance of specific parts
- Integration of components from incoming parts
- Acceptance testing of manufactured components
- Management of product assurance database
- Design and prototyping of toolings
- Participation on improvement of internal processes
What do we offer:
- Part time contract
- Participation in projects for space industry
- Very solid renumeration reflecting the responsibility of the job
- Flexible hours (agreed in advance)
- Startup spirit and informal atmosphere
- Long term cooperation
In case of interest, contact us at career@spacerace.cz with a CV and a few words about you.
Career - open positions
We are accelerating spacecraft manufacturers through the smart components. For that we must challenge the ways things have been done, designed, manufactured and tested so far. We search for a passionate individuals who feel the most alive when they create. When they can shape the product from the requirements up to the delivery to the client. Who like to think deeply, create innovatively, analyze critically, present clearly and then get their hands dirty to prototype and test rapidly. Not just CAD, FE or test engineers - we search for the true Designers.
Maybe we are looking for you - to help us to design, test and manufacture cutting-edge electro-mechanical components for satellites, scientific probes, rocket launchers and ground segment of space industry.
What should you have:
- Experience with parametric CAD tools including drawings, FEM tools
- Experience with design principles manifested in projects, theses, internships or work experience
- Responsibility and attention to detail above standards
- Problem solving mindset and willingness to learn
- Written and spoken English on technical level
- Capability to work both alone and in a small team
- Assets: Experience with FDM and SLA 3D printing and other prototyping techniques, passion for space, international studies/internship
- CZ citizenship or work permit is conditional
What will be your responsibility:
Design of components for space industry including:
- Definition of concepts
- Definition and management of product requirements
- 3D modelling
- Structural and functional analysis (FEA, handcalcs)
- Manufacturing documentation
- Rapid prototyping and iteration
- Participation on the definition of test plans and test activities
- Presentation of the work internally and to the international clients
What do we offer:
- An opportunity to accelerate space activities in CZ and Europe
- Hands on introduction to the space industry through part time contract
- Very solid renumeration reflecting the responsibility and the quality of delivered work
- Flexible hours (agreed in advance)
- Startup spirit and casual atmosphere
- Support and topics for theses and university projects
- Long term cooperation
In case of interest, contact us at career@spacerace.cz with a CV and a few words about you.
MISSION
We are all members of a space race. Whether we realize it or not we travel through the cosmos on our beautiful giant blue spaceship. And just as we have learned to use the gifts of the oceans and traverse their vast expanses, we will learn to travel and live in space and use its resources for the advancement of all humanity.
We want to get you faster in the new space race. To be faster means to be more efficient both in terms of time and cost. This requires to have a deep trust in the products of the supply chain. SPACERACE aims to build this trust and provide exceptional experience through the off-the-shelf or on demand components. We believe in these basic values:
Proven cost and time savings for the user
Top notch quality
Non questionable reliability
Customer care beyond standards
Respect to environment on Earth and on orbit
We are looking for partners on this mission. If you share the same values do not hesitate to get in touch with us to create extraordinary things.
CONTACT
We will be happy to answer your questions and discuss ideas at
