Space Technology

Space Technology

19 September 2018

Taking thermal control to new heights

When Johannes van Es, Senior R&D Manager, talks about working on thermal control at NLR, it soon becomes clear that he operates in a unique environment. Thermal control is increasingly becoming a significant discipline in any situation where electronics are subjected to a challenging environment like space, engines or factories. It allows the computers and sensors in satellites, for example, to keep functioning at an optimum temperature. To do this correctly, Van Es has to combine a MacGyver-like technical insight with entrepreneurial goggles for business opportunities – and a healthy dose of dry humour. But it works, and the approach and contribution of Van Es and his team to the long legacy of thermal control at NLR have resulted in a leadership position that extends even into space.

Space Technology

14 December 2017

NLR essential link in Tropomi data processing

Tropomi was launched on 13 October 2017 on the European satellite Sentinel-5P, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the European Commission's Copernicus Earth Observation programme. The Tropomi instrument makes it possible to measure air quality on Earth with great accuracy, so the instrument equipped with Dutch technology is very valuable for a targeted approach to tackling global air pollution. NLR comprehensively tested the processing of the data that Tropomi sends back to Earth every day. The clients of Tropomi are the ESA and the Netherlands Space Office (NSO). From design to launch the entire satellite cost approximately 220 million euro, of which the Netherlands paid roughly half.