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UCL Department of Space and Climate Physics

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Mechanical and Thermal Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering Group has had a long tradition of Space hardware design and construction, and has proven itself up to this technical challenge. The experience of our highly qualified engineers, designers and technicians is vast and diverse over a number of successful space missions, since its formation in 1965. It facilitates Design, Analysis, Project Management, Manufacture, Test and Integration of development and hardware components and instruments.

Designing for space presents a unique and fascinating technical challenge. The skills needed to design scientific instruments for this special environment span many disciplines and specialists, whom MSSL are proud to call their own.

Manufacturing and design support continues through from integration within our clean room to delivery to the spacecraft integration facility.

The Mechanical Drawing Office at MSSL

Mechanical Design

Our complete instrument development capability enables the integration of design activities with manufacturing, analysis, test and mechanical development.

CAD model of ExoMars PanCam

3D CAD Design

Catia, 3D computer aided design (CAD) software made by Dassault Systemes, components are designed in a virtual, three dimensional workspace.

Results of ESATAN analysis

ESATAN Thermal Analysis

ESATAN is a software package for the prediction of temperature and heat flows using either a thermal lumped parameter or a finite element network.

Results of a finite element analysis test

Finite Element Analysis

The group uses finite element software to analyse the designs for structural integrity and rigidity assessing the effects of dynamic mechanical loading.

Checking machined parts with a micrometer

Mechanical Workshop

The construction of all mechanical systems, flight or developmental including plasma detectors, full telescopes, radiation shields and cyrogenic coolers. 

Vibration testing of TechDemoSat components

Testing

The engineering group regularly performs vibration tests to confirm strength and stiffness as well as thermal tests to assess performance. 

Mechanical and Thermal Engineering:

Mechanical Design
3D CAD Design
ESATAN Thermal Analysis

Finite Element Analysis
Mechanical Workshop
Testing

General Enquiries:
Berend Winter
+44 1483 204 215
b.winter@ucl.ac.uk