9T Labs successfully completes ESA StarTiger project
The project brought together leading companies and academic institutions to demonstrate cutting-edge advancements in space technology and manufacturing
9T Labs AG, a company specializing in digital, automated, and cost-competitive serial production of continuous fiber components, has successfully completed the ESA StarTiger project, a groundbreaking initiative that has brought together leading companies and academic institutions to demonstrate cutting-edge advancements in space technology and manufacturing.
The ESA StarTiger framework is renowned for fostering innovation and collaboration within the space industry. This collaborative effort involved key participants including Airbus Defence & Space, 9T Labs, Ommatidia Lidar, Cranfield University, LIST, and the ESA. Each of these entities contributed their unique expertise and resources to the project.
The journey of the ESA StarTiger project began with its kick-off in March 2023 in Toulouse, bringing together a diverse team representing six nationalities. This team was composed of four industrial entities, two academic research laboratories, and the esteemed ESA Agency. The initiative was designed to challenge the conventional boundaries of space technology by showcasing the complete manufacturing and assembly, integration, tests, and verification chain of a Space Robotic Factory within an ambitious timeline of just six months.
The multidisciplinary team undertook their mission within the Airbus incubation laboratory, where a fusion of space and non-space technologies was harnessed to achieve the project’s goals. Notable technologies included state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies for metal and CFRP-TP, robotic manipulators, and advanced perception capabilities featuring cutting-edge cameras and 3D LIDAR technology.
“We are immensely proud of the achievements of the ESA StarTiger project and the remarkable collaborative effort demonstrated by all participants,” said Gianfranco Visentin, Head of the Automation and Robotics Section at the ESA. “This endeavor exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in driving the boundaries of what is possible in space technology.”
The ESA StarTiger project’s successful conclusion marks a significant chapter in the journey of space exploration and technology advancement. It serves as a testament to the collective capabilities of the participants and their commitment to pushing the envelope of space innovation.
