Mechanisms for space systems
Tripod
Antenna Pointing System for Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) and data downlink transmission.
COMAT designs and provides any kind of pointing mechanisms for antennas and instruments, according to customer’s specifications.
Compact actuators
COMAT designs and manufactures rotary actuators that point and deploy space appendages (antennas, thrusters, radiators…). COMAT develops its own product line of ITAR-free actuators, namely Compact actuators.
Reaction wheels
COMAT is designing highly reliable reaction wheels thanks to a cross-development between nanosatellite technology and “standard” space equipment.
Our ITAR-free and space-qualified reaction wheels offer:
-Excellent reliability,
-A specific range (12U to 20U) of interest to many space platforms,
-Brushless motor with low-friction bearings, and therefore Lower power consumption,
-Practical size: 3 reaction wheels fit in 1 U for a ready-to-plug flight-set in a 1 U-package.
The Occitanie Regional Council supports COMAT’s nanosatellite equipment
Equipment for space science and exploration
ChemCam Curiosity rover
COMAT has built the structure of the ChemCam instrument in use on NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover since 2011. COMAT is currently manufacturing an enhanced version, SuperCam, to be deployed on planet Mars in 2020.
Incubator for microgravity
COMAT has designed and built the Kubik facility for the European Space Agency. Several models have been operated since 2004 onboard the International Space Station, and are still in use today.
COMAT is currently working on a new generation of this incubator / cooler facility for biology.
Open stratospheric balloon
COMAT designs and manufactures mechanisms for this kind of balloons, such as venting mechanisms.
Electric propulsion systems
COMAT is developing an advanced electric propulsion module for nanosatellites. This propulsion module of 30W is able to give a speed increment of 200 ms-1 to a 20kg satellite.
The Occitanie Regional Council supports COMAT’s nanosatellite equipment
Manufacture, Assembly, Integration & Test
Manufacturing
COMAT manufactures high-precision mechanical parts (for optical instruments, scientific instruments, mechanisms, electronic cases, etc…).
COMAT manufactures elementary parts or subsets, in large series or as single units, using a wide range of materials (aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, EPM203, carbon…).
Our air-conditioned production plant includes several machine tools, namely:
– 2 x 5-axis machines,
– 4 x 3-axis machines,
– 3 x conventional milling machines,
– 2 x conventional lathes,
– 1 x digital lathe,
– 2 x 3D measuring machines for control, (accuracy within 1/100th of millimetre)…
Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT)
COMAT meets customer’s requirements by offering the whole chain of services (assembly, integration and test), including quality assurance, with full customer’s delegation, in customer’s premises or in our own clean rooms. Our facilities include:
– ISO Class 5 clean room (20 m²),
– ISO Class 7 clean room (100 m²),
– Integration area (with controlled temperature & hygrometry) (200 m²),
– Oven (-40°C +180°C),
– Vacuum chamber with thrust balance.
Our expertise in AIT covers:
– Integration & tests in ISO environments (management of whole projects, quality procedures, traceability…),
– Equipment assembly (torque tightening, grounding, thermal paste…),
– Harness integration (routing, support, connection…),
– Multi-Layer Insulation,
– Alignment operations (Laser tracker, theodolite…),
– Handling operations (bridge, nacelle, forklift operators; work at height…).
Mechanical Ground Support Equipment
For 40 years, COMAT has been designing, engineering and manufacturing Optical and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment.
COMAT also manages large-scale co-engineering MGSE projects in international contexts, combining CAD, mechanical and thermal engineering, subcontractor management and cost reduction.
The LYRE project for Airbus is an instance of COMAT’s experience in this field.
This equipment allows the introduction and support of a satellite in a thermal vacuum chamber. High precision is necessary to introduce the satellite, with a combined movement of rotation and translation. The LYRE was assembled in a clean room, with strict procedures regarding pollution control. It is currently used by the Intespace company.
