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From now on, every week counts: Assembly of the European-led planetary defense mission RAMSES (Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety) has officially begun in the cleanroom at hashtag#OHB in hashtag#Bremen. With the spacecraft now taking shape, the project is gaining momentum under significant time pressure. To reach the hashtag#asteroid hashtag#Apophis ahead of its spectacular close flyby of hashtag#Earth in April 2029, the RAMSES spacecraft must be launched as early as spring 2028.
“RAMSES represents Europe’s clear ambition to take a leading role in planetary defence – and our ability to successfully deliver highly complex missions even under extreme time pressure,” says Marco Fuchs, CEO of the space and technology group OHB. “It is impressive to see how this project is now taking shape in the cleanroom. Together with ESA and our international partners, we are building on our experience from Hera to bring this mission forward on schedule – and to set new scientific and technological standards.”
At the heart of the current integration activities is the spacecraft’s central tube. Measuring approximately 1.55 metres in height (1549 x 945 x 945 mm) and weighing just under 40 kilograms, it forms the structural backbone of the spacecraft. In Bremen, the first structural components are now being assembled, including panels and mechanical subsystems. The integration of these elements marks a key milestone in the development of the spacecraft’s two main modules.
“Currently, around 35 specialists are working on RAMSES in Bremen across two teams: about 20 experts in structures, mechanics and propulsion, and around 15 in system engineering, avionics and software validation. The latter are using, among other things, a modified testbed from the Hera mission to develop and test the new mission software and scientific instruments. We are on track,” says RAMSES Project Manager and Hera Chief Engineer Diego Calzolaio.
From a technological perspective, RAMSES is based on European Space Agency – ESA’s Hera mission, which was developed and built by OHB System AG in just four years. This Hera heritage enables the RAMSES mission to be implemented on a record timeline: development, integration and testing of the spacecraft must be completed within only 3.5 years to reach the asteroid in time. ESA has appointed OHB Italia S.p.A. as prime contractor for the spacecraft, with parts of the spacecraft being built at OHB in Bremen.
“With the start of integration activities in the cleanroom, RAMSES has clearly entered its implementation phase,” says Dr Andreas Gierse, responsible at OHB for the spacecraft’s structure, thermal and propulsion systems. “The schedule is ambitious, but thanks to our experience – particularly from the Hera mission – we have the know-how needed to meet this tight timeline while ensuring the highest quality standards.”
#Ramses #PlanetaryDefence OHB Italia S.p.A. #PrimeContractor European Space Agency – ESA ESA Space Safety #OHBSE
