Flexure-based precision mechanisms for satellites, telescopes and planetary rovers — 30+ years heritage with ESA/NASA, flown on MTG, Metop, XMM and ExoMars.
High-Precision Space Mechanisms
Flexure-based precision mechanisms for satellites, telescopes and planetary rovers — 30+ years heritage with ESA/NASA, flown on MTG, Metop, XMM and ExoMars.
Description
CSEM has developed high-precision mechanisms for space exploration for over 30 years, specialising in flexure-structure technology that eliminates friction and enables micrometre-level precision with sub-micron resolution capability. Core technologies include frictionless flexure hinges and pivots, additive-manufactured topologically optimised structures for mass reduction and resonance tuning, magnetic bearings for attitude control with micro-vibration minimisation, and multi-variable control systems operating in cryogenic and vacuum environments.
Delivered products include Corner Cube Mechanisms for the Metop meteorological satellite series, the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) weather satellite (delivered 2026, built with Thales Alenia Space), and the ESA XMM X-ray multi-mirror satellite. The CLUPI close-up imager mechanism for the ExoMars Mars rover provides frictionless, high-precision moving focus capability. CSEM's microvibration test bench characterises vibrations generated within space apparatus, addressing the challenge of low-level vibration degradation in high-precision optical instruments.
ESA-accredited facilities including a MEMS qualification laboratory support the testing of components at the highest space qualification standards.
Specifications
| Precision | Micrometer-level, sub-micron resolution capable |
|---|---|
| Bearing type | Frictionless flexure structures |
| Operating environments | Cryogenic and vacuum |
| FEM analysis | COMSOL Multiphysics |
| Manufacturing | Conventional and additive (3D printed) with topological optimization |
| Qualification | ESA-accredited MEMS lab |
| Flight heritage | Metop, MTG, XMM, ExoMars (CLUPI), RemoveDEBRIS, LISA |
| TRL | 9 (multiple flight-proven programs) |
