Thales Deutschland GmbH
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defense, aerospace and security markets worldwide. 22.000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems support Thales leading-edge technology. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development.
Working Fields
Thales Deutschland GmbH (Business unit “Electron Devices” (TD)) is a Business Line of the Avionics Division, one of the seven divisions of THALES Group. It is the world leader in electron tubes and devices for professional applications.
TD develops, produces and sells Microwave Tubes, High Power Gridded RF Tubes, X-Ray Tubes, X-Ray Image Intensifiers and Flat Panel Displays. Inside TD all activities regarding RF and microwave sources are linked to RFM (RF and Microwave Sources) with 3 sites of facilities in Vélizy, Thonon and Ulm. In addition to this field of activities there is a development division for Electronic Propulsion Systems (EPS) on the site in Ulm.
Thales Ulm
The Ulm plant was built in 1945 when it started to manufacture RF and microwave tubes. The plant employs 480 people including 40% of managers, engineers and highly qualified technicians in 16 000 m² of industrial surface, including 1 200 square meters of clean-rooms. About 80 Engineers and Physicists are working in the Technical, Engineering, Quality and production support departments. The facility is certificated according to EN 9100 (including 9001) and EN 14001 as well as social security 18001.
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defense, aerospace and security markets worldwide. 22.000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems support Thales leading-edge technology. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted part...
Relevant infrastructure and equipment
Manufacturing of the TWTs and the EPS is handled in-house with a high production depth. Apart from some special components, like insulation ceramics and rare earth magnets, the Ulm plant produces down to the level of piece parts from raw materials. Quality inspection of incoming goods is supported by a highly specialized metallurgic laboratory, equipped with sophisticated analytical tools. The following production facilities exist for the manufacture of large quantities of parts, including helix winding and TWTs of all power and frequency ranges:
Manufacturing of the TWTs and the EPS is handled in-house with a high production depth. Apart from some special components, like insulation ceramics and rare earth magnets, the Ulm plant produces down to the level of piece parts from raw materials. Quality inspection of incoming goods is supported by a highly specialized metallurgic laboratory, equipped with sophisticated analytical tools. T...
- Parts manufacturing: 1400 m² total
- Parts control: 60 m² controlled environment
- Chemical treatment: 1250 m² total
- Assembly and subassembly: 1100 m² total
- Class 30.000 clean room: 510 m² (under working hoods class 100)
- Cathode manufacturing: 300 m² total (class 10,000: 170 m²)
- Capacity: 300 cathodes per month
- Pumping: 250 m² total
- Testing and final assembly: 1800 m² total (class 10,000: 480 m²)
- Controlled environment: 1250 m²
- Burn-in and life test facilities: 400 m² total
Role of Thales Deutschland in the Project
TD is defining the EPS and developing the HEMP-Thruster modules, having setup and qualified the Hemp thruster assembly in the frame of the HEMP-TIS project for the OHBs SGEO platform.
In that sense TD has demonstrated the capability to develop and to deploy such complex electric propulsion systems.
In addition TD has the manufacturing capacity already today to manufacture space products in quantities that would be needed to satisfy the LEO market needs due to being the market lead for traveling wave tubes.
Other HEMPT-NG2 Consortium Members
As Power Lead Center inside the Thales Alenia Space group, Thales Alenia Space BELGIUM is the European number one in power conditioning and distribution equipment for any type of satellites. Thales Alenia Space BELGIUM is a Belgian industrial establishment with over 650 employees, 35,000 square meters of which 6,000 square meters of cleanrooms.
Aerospazio Tecnologie was founded in 2000 with the aim of providing testing and engineering services in the fields of vacuum technology and Electric Space Propulsion to European industries and R&D organisations. In 2003, the first vacuum test facility was employed for the endurance test of the RIT-22 thruster proposed by Astrium (now part of Airbus D&S) for the ESA Bepi-Colombo mission to Mercury.
The University of Greifswald was founded in 1456 and is one of the oldest academic institutions in Europe. Over 12,000 students from all over the world receive the most modern academic instruction and exciting research opportunities in a time-honoured environment. Research priorities at the University of Greifswald are in the life sciences, physics and geosciences, cultural interaction in the Baltic/Nordic region, as well as law and economics. Scientists engage in inter-disciplinary collaborations across faculties and aim for excellence in both research and teaching.
TAS-UK is a subsidiary company of Thales Alenia Space. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space is a key supplier of satellite and orbital infrastructure solutions. The company develops the very latest space and ground segment technologies for scientific, commercial, military and security applications. It is a global market leader in telecommunications, navigation, space exploration and Earth observation, particularly for weather forecasting, altimetry, oceanography and environmental management applications.
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defense, aerospace and security markets worldwide. 22.000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems support Thales leading-edge technology.
The company Advanced Space Technologies GmbH has been founded by Dr. Harmann in June 2010. Funded by the European Commission, AST gained technological leadership in miniaturized fluid control components.
Advanced Space Power Equipment GmbH is a privately owned company registered in Germany. ASP is fully registered as Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME). The company was founded in January 2004. It is 100% privately owned. Most of the owners work in the company, a fact that definitely supports the strategic direction of the company towards long-term and sustainable business.