In the third week of February 2019, ESA and Rovsing kicked-off a study to assess the feasibility to reuse existing, ESA owned, EGSE for new applications.

Most ESA project are unique and use dedicated satellite and payload designs to fulfil the specific mission requirements. Consequently, the EGSE required for development, qualification and assembly of the satellite subsystems and satellite integration and testing are often unique configurations, built from a mix of COTS equipment and special equipment. After satellite AIT and launch, the EGSE is stored at various places. When the mission is completed, the EGSE, which is still ESA property, becomes eventually obsolete. However, the EGSE can comprise elements, units and valuable COTS equipment that are still functioning and up-to-date. The objective of the study is to assess the feasibility if some or more of these elements can be made again available for use in existing or new space programmes, after refurbishment, recalibration and documentation.

The idea for re-using existing ESA EGSE was sparked by Rovsing’s refurbishments of EGSE and products for Copernicus and Galileo.

This study project is supported by the Danish contribution to the ESA/GSTP programme.

For more information about the above-mentioned study, Rovsing’s Turn-key System Solutions, or other products and services, please contact us at info@rovsing.dk or call +45 44 200 800.