ClearSpace, a Swiss startup that specializes in space debris removal, is expanding to the United States.

The move will help the company address the world’s largest space economy.

ClearSpace’s expansion beyond Europe is driven by their desire to create “a safer, more sustainable, and more circular space ecosystem”.

ClearSpace’s Expansion to the United States

ClearSpace, the Swiss startup that won a prime contract from the European Space Agency worth almost $100 million to develop and conduct the world’s first orbital debris removal mission, is expanding to the United States. The company has announced its US subsidiary, ClearSpace Today, which will help it address the world’s largest space economy. With offices in the UK, Germany, and Luxembourg, ClearSpace is expanding beyond Europe for the first time.

“As a global leader in IOS, ClearSpace is in an excellent position to meet the needs of US customers in both public and private sectors,” said its Chief Strategy Officer and US General Manager, Tim Maclay. “Combining our experience in Europe with the broad supplier base and deep talent pool present in the United States creates a potent recipe for a safer, more sustainable, and more circular space ecosystem.”

ClearSpace’s Mission

ClearSpace’s mission is to remove space debris, which poses a significant threat to space missions and satellites. The company employs nearly 100 people and is working on an additional debris removal mission and a mission with Intelsat to extend the life of a satellite in geosynchronous orbit.

In September last year, the UK Space Agency backed ClearSpace and Astroscale to design missions to help clear hazardous space junk. Contracts worth £4 million were awarded following the completion of a feasibility study of the CLEAR mission to remove two UK-registered derelict objects from low Earth orbit.

Original article: https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/swiss-space-debris-startup-sees-clearspace-in-united-states-2023-04/

Smart Hangars: The Future of MRO

What are Smart Hangars?

The aviation industry is constantly evolving, and one of the latest developments is the introduction of “smart hangars.” These innovative spaces are equipped with real-time location solutions (RTLS) that track and locate assets and people in complex environments, making maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations safer, more efficient, and cost-effective.

Smart hangars are equipped with RTLS technology that tracks and locates assets and people in complex environments, improving MRO operations.

How do Smart Hangars work?

Smart hangars use a product called SmartSpace, developed by UK-based company Ubisense. This RTLS system combines real-time location data with analytics and visualization tools to provide valuable insights that help improve MRO operations and increase efficiency. SmartSpace can track the movement of workers, ensuring they are following safety protocols and avoiding dangerous areas. It can also track tools and equipment, reducing the amount of time mechanics spend searching for items and eliminating foreign object debris (FOD) left inside airframes.

What are the benefits of Smart Hangars?

Smart hangars equipped with RTLS technology can help MRO providers become more efficient, better optimized, and safer places to work. By tracking tools and equipment, SmartSpace reduces downtime and increases productivity, while also eliminating FOD and preventing accidents and injuries. This helps MRO providers keep their costs lower, which is a significant benefit for airlines, and tighten their turnaround times.

The Future of MRO

The MRO market is projected to grow at a rate of 5% through 2030, reaching a revenue forecast of $119 billion[1]. As the industry continues to expand, MRO providers must work hard to keep a lid on their costs. Smart hangars equipped with RTLS technology provide a solution to this challenge, making MRO operations safer, more efficient, and cost-effective. With the help of companies like Ubisense, the adoption of RTLS solutions is expected to proliferate in the aerospace industry, making Smart Hangars the future of MRO

Web address of the original article: https://simpleflying.com/smart-hangars-the-future-of-mro/

Foreign Debris Seen on Mars During Ingenuity Helicopter Flight

No Damage Detected, Investigation Underway

NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, which has been exploring Mars since April 2021, encountered a small piece of foreign object debris (FOD) during its 33rd flight.

Foreign Debris Seen in Navcam Footage

During the 33rd flight of NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, a small piece of foreign object debris was spotted in the footage from the navigation camera (Navcam). The FOD was not visible in the Navcam footage from the previous flight. It was seen in the earliest frames of the Flight 33 Navcam imagery and remained visible for about half of the video before falling from the leg and drifting back to the Mars surface.

No Indication of Vehicle Damage

Despite the presence of the FOD, all telemetry from the flight and a post-flight search and transfer showed no indication of vehicle damage. The Ingenuity and Perseverance Mars 2020 teams are currently investigating the source of the debris.

Ingenuity Continues to Explore Mars

Ingenuity has been exploring Mars since April 2021 and has completed 33 flights as of the time of this writing. Its primary mission was to demonstrate the viability of powered flight on Mars, but it has also been used to scout out locations of interest for the Perseverance rover and to gather data on the Martian atmosphere.

Original article: https://phys.org/news/2022-10-foreign-debris-mars-ingenuity-helicopter.html

FOD Dogs: The New Runway Clearing Solution

A Low-Cost, Robust Robot Platform for Runway Safety

The United States Air Force has signed a contract with Siemens Government Technologies to develop a new technology that aims to clear runways of hazardous debris. The technology is a four-wheeled robot known as a FOD Dog, which will be used to detect Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on runways and flight decks.

How the FOD Dog Works

The FOD Dog is a basic rugged chassis with an electric motor that scans runways for foreign objects using off-the-shelf laser sensors. The sensors detect anything projecting out from the surface of the runway. The scanner is simpler than a camera and works just as well in conditions of poor visibility like driving rain. The robot is equipped with a perception system developed by TurbineOne, which serves as the operating system to make all of these detections possible without an internet connection. The FOD Dogs start with a catalog of different objects but are able to learn new ones. They can even share information between pack members, so they will steadily become better at identifying specific types of FOD on a particular site.

The Advantages of the FOD Dog

The FOD Dog has great potential as a low-cost, robust robot platform for runway safety. The combination of a low-cost, robust robot platform and smart sensing has great potential, and the FOD Dog may be the forerunner of many breeds of helpful robots working in a variety of fields. The robots can ignore weather and carry a heavier payload of varied sensors, making them ideal for industrial inspection. The FOD Dog technology is also being developed for use in factories, construction sites, and other applications.

The Importance of FOD Detection

The FOD Dog is a promising technology that could revolutionize runway safety. By detecting FOD on runways and flight decks, the FOD Dog can help prevent foreign objects from damaging aircraft and causing catastrophic accidents. The FOD Dog is a low-cost, robust robot platform that has great potential in a variety of fields beyond runway safety. The FOD Dog technology is being developed under an Air Force contract signed with Siemens Government Technologies and subcontractor TurbineOne. A full working prototype system is expected to be demonstrated by next January.

Original Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2022/01/10/robot-dogs-to-keep-usaf-runways-clear-of-hazardous-debris/

Debris Found in Fuel Tanks of Boeing 737 Max Jets in Storage

Latest Problem for Boeing 737 Max

Boeing has found debris in the fuel tanks of several 737 Max jets that have been sitting in storage, according to a note to Boeing employees from Mark Jenks, vice president and general manager of the 737 program and the Renton, Washington, factory.

Foreign Object Debris Unacceptable

Boeing has called foreign object debris, referred to as FOD, “absolutely unacceptable” and vowed to eliminate it from the production system. The company plans to address the problem by updating instructions and required checklists for employees, along with additional verifications including inspections and audits.

Safety Threats on Planes

Debris on a completed aircraft is a serious quality problem that can pose significant safety threats on planes, including short circuits and fires. The note from Boeing did not say how many planes had debris discovered in the fuel tanks.

Debris Problem Not New for Boeing

This is not the first time Boeing has faced debris problems. The US Air Force temporarily halted deliveries of the KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft twice last year after debris was found in closed compartments of the aircraft. There were also problems with debris on the 787 Dreamliners built at a plant in South Carolina, according to a whistleblower complaint first reported in the New York Times last year.

Original article: https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/19/business/boeing-737-max-fuel-tank-debris/index.html