In the space sector, we hate to arbitrarily add up the functional system components on board, known as “payloads.” They are aptly named, as we could translate this as “paid load” or “paying load”!
When calculating productivity in business, it is often said that 1+1=3, and this is true: put two bricklayers to work building a wall, and they will do the work of three. In this case, it is the team that wins. But does the same logic apply when you want to improve your manufacturing process and reduce the cost of your product or service through innovation or technology transfer?
In the space sector, we hate to arbitrarily add up the functional system components on board, known as “payloads.” They are aptly named, as we could translate this as “paid load” or “paying load”! It is considered unacceptable to unduly increase the weight or volume of a satellite or rocket payload. This is due to the cost of launching rockets... And even if a single-use spacecraft such as Super Heavy with its booster will probably make it possible to put full payloads into orbit for around $250 to $600 per kilogram (which will be 100 times cheaper than current costs), the fact remains that the logic of “excess weight is harmful!” still very much exists at ESA.
Every constraint has its advantages: the space technologies we offer to terrestrial industries are particularly geared to simplified solutions, component reduction, weight reduction, and volume reduction! And for you, that means lower costs! Contrary to what one might think about the space sector, space fears complexity: complexity means increased weight and (future) maintenance problems. The fewer parts there are, the closer the payload (the system) will be to zero maintenance. Because in space, there are no mechanics, or if there are, they are very expensive, since they are astronauts!
These are the qualities of the processes, products, and services that ESA offers you when you transfer all or part of a space component or system into your manufacturing process. Think about it!
An example coached and experienced by CREACTION?
If you are proud to have control over all (or part) of your manufacturing chain, as MGC Diagnostics International is, which designs, develops, and produces a complete range of medical equipment used in the cardiorespiratory industry under the trade name Medisoft, then come and see us too.
Some time ago, CREACTION was approached by the company's management to improve one of its basic pieces of equipment following an initial strategic analysis. A major project to research new components was then launched, particularly in the area of cardiorespiratory recording equipment used during various astronaut training sessions and manned flights. The company was already one of the world's leaders in data collection and processing, but wanted to improve patient comfort during analysis. Astronauts in the ISS and during extravehicular activities are monitored continuously. For its part, ESA was looking to miniaturize on-board respiratory diagnostic devices. Two conclusions emerged: we had identified a high-temperature space microsensor (a solid electrolyte sensor: 1/2 cm x 3 cm) to study the presence of oxygen microparticles in space, and the company owned and developed one of the best respiratory component analysis software programs.
We also had a technological solution (partly derived from space technology) to control the high temperature (+ or - 516 degrees) required by the sensor (in a fraction of a second) to release its O2 ions and analyze them, almost at the patient's mouth. This was a major challenge, but the results were conclusive in a joint research project with other space industry players, conducted under the auspices of ESA: “Development of a new respiratory sensor system (RSS) for human respiratory investigations.”
The spirometers, which are partly the result of the research, reflection, and testing carried out at the time, are currently on sale from MGC Diagnostics International.
