Mini Launch Lock devices for small satellites

Project Information

MiniLLock

Grant agreement ID: 954782

DOI

10.3030/954782

Project closed

EC signature date 25 April 2020

Start date 1 May 2020

End date 31 July 2022

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 2 413 543,75

EU contribution

€ 1 689 480,63

Coordinated by

NIMESIS TECHNOLOGY SARL
France

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MiniLLock (Mini Launch Lock devices for small satellites)

Reporting period: 2021-05-01 to 2022-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Space industry is experiencing the most important paradigm shift in its history with the rise of small satellites (<500kg mass satellite) and mega constellations.

With its unique expertise, NIMESIS has developed a new high temperature memory alloy, the CN250X, the technological heart of its innovative range of intelligent actuators primarily intended for the space field. Resulting from 20 years of research, NIMESIS is the only one able today to manufacture this type of alloy on an industrial scale.
Within this Minillock project, Nimesis is able now to meet the current market demand and deliver highly innovative miniaturised devices at a reasonable price. This opportunity will allow NIMESIS to step up as a game changer and reach a significant market share on an international level, for small and large satellites and other spacecarfats (rovers...)

The importance of the project can be seen on two levels:
For Nimesis:
The Minillock project will allow us to stand up in the space market, attract different players from all around the world, thanks to an innovative range of the products, and achieve the awaited results of more than 20 years of research and development.
For Europe:
Creating a line of innovative products will enhance Europe’s position and become an economical leader in terms of miniaturised actuators, since it is the one helping us meet our current achievements.

Regarding our objectives, on the strategic side, NIMESIS is aiming to position itself as a key player for space actuators, a reliable provider of complete actuators ready to use, by setting up a sustainable production line. This is a major shift for NIMESIS that all its customers are waiting for.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Thanks to MiniLLock project, we have been to achieve many improvements on many levels :

- We have developed the first two products of a complete range to come
- We have an operational, modern and reliable production line
- We now have a clear and recognized positioning for the space industry, as a supplier of space components

MiniLLock allowed us to boost our developments, and thanks to it and to the internal strategy of Nimesis, we have succeeded to create our own range of products. We have several flight opportunities, and a clear identification of our know-how on the European market. The ambition is to develop further at the large-scale export market.

On the communication part, we have gained a great visibilty towards the space players through our targeted prospection actions, and our communication campaigns. Many actions have taken place to achieve this goal, including participation to conferences, exhibits, and increasing our press and social media visibility...

The MiniLLock project has also allowed us to empower our human resources, we have hired many new profiles to improve our production line, complete product development and foster our commercial position.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The Minillock program has allowed us to empower our current situation within the space players, we have witnessed many changes since the beginning of the project.
Regarding the state of art, we still meet the current demands of the Space players, in terms of weight, reliability, dimensions, power supply, lifetime, ease of use, ease of assembly, and shock wave generated. We have been able to attract clients and even competitors through an increased demand on our products, fostered by our latest communication campaigns, allowing our correspondents to keep track of our latest updates (products developpement status, different testing, expected flights and more), and rising by that the trust bar and the visibility towards our prevailed customers.

On a technical term, Nimesis has been able to internalise its production line by validating the machines, which will ensure a better monitoring of the production rate and the quality of our product. Each step of the production process has also been validated. We now have an operational and reliable production line for our space actuators

Being the only company able to master the single crystallisation process on CuAlNi, is helping us achieve our goals of becoming a key player in the space market.

Concerning the socio-economic impact, we have the following results:
- The internal sourcing that Nimesis has opted for, is already helping the company reduce the manufacturing costs, as well as being able to perfectly achieve the needs of the market by monitoring the quality and controlling the production rates.
- The creation of a new line of innovative products will empower the economical position of Europe internationally,through its ability to achieve miniaturised actuators.
- In terms of Sales, we have been able to attract many clients and potential ones also, through commercial and communication campaigns, we believe that the rate will increase even more once the upcoming flights will take place.
- Post programme, we intend to continue the development of our other actuators in order to increase our market share internationally.

So far, regarding our societal implications, we have been able to:
- Approximatively double our workforce number since 2020 (from 10 to 24), new recruitments will also take place by the end of the project.
- Add work advantages to the personnel including a modern workplace, the ability to create a saving plan and a profit sharing one.
- Enhance technical and commercial trainings to the personnel, in order to raise their awareness regarding the new changes that the company is undergoing.
- Empower the internal communication, through internal presentation of the latest projects and achievements, in order to build a powerful team.

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