Thermo-elastic distortion tests (TD/TED)
The unusual environmental conditions in space can lead to antennas, reflectors or basic structures deforming due to temperature loads and/or vacuum. This can have a major impact on the satellite’s functionality. It is therefore indispensable to first carry out tests on earth which closely reflect reality.
IABG has different measurement systems for this purpose:

Digital photogrammetry / videogrammetry
- Highly precise photogrammetric measurements of absolute geometry and relative deformation of surfaces under atmospheric and vacuum conditions
- Test items up to diameters of 5 m can be measured with an accuracy of ± 15 µm at 1σ
- The method requires application of reflecting targets on the test item
Laser ESPI
- Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) is suitable for deformation measurements with an extreme resolution (< 50nm)
- Test implementation in the vibration free 2m-TVA
- 22.06.2022 ILA – Internationale Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung 2022
- 18.09.2022 IAC International Astronautical Congress
- 10.02.2020 Test series for the cryogenic rocket engine Vulcain®2.1 for Ariane 6: IABG and ArianeGroup are hosting a special press event
- 15.11.2019 IABG presents Sentinel-6 / Jason-CS satellite at an international press event
- 18.10.2019 Solar Orbiter Satellite Successfully Tested: Invitation to an IABG International Press Event