INNOVATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Imagine a 10x10x10 cm box that communicates using laser beams. It may sound like science fiction, but this box, called CubeCAT, is one of the world’s most advanced laser terminals for small satellites. In April 2023, the first CubeCAT travelled into space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. It faced a challenging mission: establishing an optical communication link with a ground station on Earth at a speed of 1 Gbps. That is faster than most home internet connections.

The CubeCAT is far more than just a small box. It is an impressive piece of engineering that combines optics, mechatronics, system integration and electronics. With CubeCAT, we are pushing the boundaries of optical communications for small satellites. This technology has significant potential for the future. It offers greater bandwidth, lower energy consumption, enhanced security and fewer licensing issues than traditional radio frequencies.

The universe is an unimaginably vast and mysterious place. It is filled with planets, stars and galaxies we have never seen before. How can we explore these hidden worlds? With the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), a gigantic telescope the size of a football stadium. It is being built in northern Chile, on top of Cerro Armazones, at an altitude of 3 km!

The ‘eye’, with a diameter of 39 metres, is a hollow mirror made up of 798 individual hexagonal segments. Each segment has a diameter of 1.4 metres and is 5 centimetres thick. We not only designed this masterpiece, but also manufactured it. The telescope is expected to become operational from 2027. Its unprecedented sharpness will allow us to capture detailed images of the universe. We will see things that have remained hidden from view until now. Together, we are looking towards a future full of discoveries!

One of our masterpieces is the development and production of components for SwissFEL at PSI in Switzerland. This machine accelerates particles to almost the speed of light. Magnets guide the charged electrons through a miniature chicane. This process produces X-rays that are powerful enough to see through almost anything. They help us better understand and improve the materials and biological tissues around us.

This advanced machine contains more than 10,000 discs and couplings, manufactured with incredibly high precision. They must fit perfectly because these discs propel particles at high speed. Any deviation could cause performance loss or, worse, machine failure. The discs and couplings result from a careful process of statistical analysis, assembly and testing. We can achieve dimensional accuracies of less than 0.1 μm and surface finishes better than 5 nm Ra. We achieved this unprecedented precision through our advanced ultra-precision technology (UPT).

How exciting is it when the cosmos is your canvas: your playground for innovation and exploration? At VDL ETG, we enable access to space by starting with the assembly of satellite buses, in cooperation with and under the guidance of our partners in the US. A satellite bus is the chassis in which a satellite’s equipment is mounted. It enables the satellite to carry out its mission – such as communication, navigation or observation – in the vastness of space.

The satellite industry is booming, creating a strong need for industrialisation. We therefore cooperate with a leading satellite bus manufacturer and system integrator. Together, we produce customised designs, considering shape, size, manufacturability and cost. Our aim is to bring satellite bus production to the Netherlands. This will create new opportunities for technological development in our country. Strength through Cooperation.

The Einstein Telescope, a revolutionary underground observatory, is unique in its unparalleled precision when detecting gravitational waves from space. These waves contain valuable information about extreme events in the universe. They reveal the nature of black holes and neutron stars, as well as the first moments after the Big Bang. Building it resembles assembling a complex three-dimensional puzzle. However, the rewards will be immense. New technologies will reduce technical challenges, such as noise and environmental disturbances. These include advanced algorithms, cryogenic systems and quantum technology. For example, they enable vibration-free cooling.

The technology is being perfected in cooperation with 12 knowledge institutions and companies. Construction is expected to start in 2028. Our ambition is to participate in this project. It will allow us to apply advanced knowledge and technology and enter new markets.