Beyond Gravity

No April fool's trick: Tonight, April 1, NASA aims to send humans near the Moon 🌑 🚀 - for the first time in more than 50 years. Four astronauts 👨🚀 will embark on a 10-day journey, flying around the Moon and back. Our site in Zurich (Switzerland) provided the 2-axis solar array drive mechanisms for the European Service Module that powers the Orion crew capsule. Our mechanisms include slip rings from our Nyon site and are used to supply the Orion crew vehicle with electricity from its solar wings.   Each NASA Orion spacecraft 🛰️ has four solar wings. Therefore, four solar array drive mechanisms are being used from us. The main challenge for our mechanisms is to transfer the electricity from the rotating part (solar array) to the crew vehicle. Another challenge is to orient the solar array under extreme conditions, such as the cold environment. Our slip ring (integrated into our solar array drive mechanisms) is a key mechanism in that context. A slip ring (see image to the right) is an electromechanical device that enables the transmission of power⚡and electrical signals from a stationary structure to a rotating one. Our Nyon site is one of the major suppliers of space slip rings with over 60 years of experience. https://lnkd.in/dqMHrirm The prime contractor for European Space Agency - ESA's European Service Module is Airbus Defence and Space. Artemis II is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the SLS rocket, the first launch window opens on 1 April 18:24 local time (2 April 00:24 CEST). Live coverage 👉 https://www.nasa.gov/ For later Artemis missions, we also provide elements of the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration SLS rocket. Image credits: ESA-S. Corvaja / Beyond Gravity. #space #launch #Artemis #NASA #ESA #Artemis2 #ArtemisII #Moon

Back to the Moon 🌑 For the first time in over 50 years, humanity is preparing to return to the Moon. Beyond Gravity is supplied the solar array drive mechanisms for the European Service Module. The mechanisms were developed in Zurich, Switzerland, and include slip rings from Nyon, Switzerland. Our drive mechanisms deploy and move the four solar wings of the European Service Module, transferring the generated electricity to the Orion spacecraft from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “These Solar Array Drive Mechanisms are some of the most complex mechanisms in space. Beyond Gravity has been selected for the development and manufacturing of these items based on our unique know-how and capabilities in that field of technology,” says Alexandra Isele, Vice President Mechanical Satellites Solutions at Beyond Gravity 👉 https://lnkd.in/dg7e4EDi Our mechanisms are designed for extremely precise movements. They enable the solar wings to tilt and rotate to track the Sun and to position cameras for spacecraft inspection. They can also tilt forward to shield the solar cells from Orion’s main engine exhaust during lunar orbit insertion, and tilt back to reduce acceleration loads - critical requirements for mission success 👉 https://lnkd.in/ex-8xav4 Artemis II will take four astronauts on a journey around the Moon and back, testing and validating critical systems for future missions. NASA’s Artemis II is scheduled to open its launch window tomorrow. A central element of all Artemis missions is ESA’s European Service Module (ESM). The ESM powers NASA’s Orion spacecraft and supports the crew throughout the journey. The ESM was developed and manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space on behalf of the European Space Agency - ESA. It powers Orion and provides the astronauts onboard with electricity, propulsion, drinking water, a breathable atmosphere, and a comfortable temperature. Image credit: NASA Caption: In November 2022, this image was captured by a camera placed on the tip of one of the European Service Module’s four solar array wings, part of the Orion spacecraft during Artemis I.

We have delivered key payload components for ESA’s Celeste 🛰️ project aimed at making existing satellite navigation systems more accurate and resilient. The first demo satellites were launched into space this weekend. "Expanding our payload capabilities is a top priority, as we continue to deliver high‑performance solutions for diverse missions — including radio occultation, reflectometry, electronic signal intelligence, and positioning, navigation, and timing", says Oliver Grassmann, COO at Beyond Gravity. More: https://lnkd.in/d-qMZSfn ESA has chosen Beyond Gravity as a key payload partner for Celeste alongside the Spanish space company GMV (prime contractor) and OHB in Germany. Celeste will demonstrate how a satellite navigation constellation in low Earth orbit (~500km from Earth) can complement Europe’s current Galileo system in medium Earth orbit (~23000km from Earth). Celeste aims to enhance Europe’s current navigation systems, making them more resilient, and capable of delivering completely new services. On Saturday, 28 March, the first two satellites of the Celeste in-orbit demonstration mission lifted off from New Zealand aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket 🚀 👉 https://lnkd.in/dxvktnGA Beyond Gravity's FoX electronics platform offers a flexible and modular solution that can host different payloads. Examples for such payloads include electronic signal intelligence (ELINT), which can be used for detecting and characterizing radar signals, or a payload for PNT (Positioning, Navigation, Timing). More about the FoX platform https://lnkd.in/ducMNMzD The FoX 🦊 electronics platform, together with the payloads selected for the customer, can be easily integrated into Beyond Gravity’s satellite platform (Multi-Purpose Platform), which successfully underwent its Preliminary Design Review. Image: Celeste in-orbit demonstration satellites orbiting (c) European Space Agency - ESA

Weekend is coming, satellites are leaving (into space) 🛰️ 🚀 Tomorrow, Saturday, the first two satellites of the Celeste LEO-PNT in-orbit demonstration mission will lift off aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from New Zealand. Watch live from 9:53 CET at European Space Agency - ESA TV https://lnkd.in/eT_FEetW The rocket is scheduled for liftoff on Saturday, at 10:14 CET (Central European Time). Celeste will demonstrate how a complementary satellite system flying about 500 km from Earth can enhance Europe’s current Galileo system at an altitude of 23000km. Celeste aims to boost the overall resilience and performance of the European satellite navigation system. https://lnkd.in/dMpwmafH Image credit: Rocket Lab

A crewed capsule carrying four astronauts is set to launch next week on a journey around the Moon 🌑 and back. Our mechanisms will ensure that the Orion capsule's solar wings are aligned towards the Sun. Watch this SRF - Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen report (in German) on the NASA Artemis II mission. From Minute 9 onwards, the crucial role of our solar array drive mechanisms is explained.  https://lnkd.in/dDjqY6zM

Our Annual Report 2025 is out! It was an important year of transition and direction-setting for RUAG International and Beyond Gravity. While operational challenges weighed on the result, we also made important progress: full focus on the space business, profitable growth in Satellites, key milestones in Launchers, and continued investment in efficiency, transformation, and scalable production. You'll find more details here: https://lnkd.in/eK7vjV8P #BeyondGravity #SpaceBusiness #SpaceIndustry #Aerospace #Transformation #Industrialization #Innovation #Launchers #Satellites

Our new Multi‑Purpose Platform is a versatile, payload‑agnostic satellite platform 🛰️ designed for Low Earth Orbit missions up to 1,000 km. It went from Preliminary Design Review to testing in just one year. Watch this interview with Mathias Burkhalter to learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/dViAD2HN More about our Multi-Purpose Platform: https://lnkd.in/drt37sPR

Mobile communications,⚡power grid,🚦traffic lights, and 💰 financial trading. All of these sectors rely on precise time signals from space. Next week's Munich Space Summit will focus on the topic of PNT (Positioning, Navigation, Timing). Our expert, Manfred Sust, will participate in a panel discussion on Thursday titled “Services Enabling Secure and Trusted Navigation.” 👉 https://lnkd.in/dYmG_f7w Indeed, timing is key. The conference is taking place in the same week that two new European navigation satellites are due to launch. The European Space Agency - ESA Celeste demonstration satellites are set to make Galileo more resilient and precise. Currently, more than 30 EUSPA - EU Agency for the Space Programme Galileo navigation satellites are in space.

🚀 What a journey! Starting in Emmen, Switzerland, our payload fairing has traveled thousands of kilometers across land and sea - and has safely arrived at the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Its next mission: protect the HTV-X spacecraft during its upcoming launch to orbit. From Swiss precision to space-bound performance — the journey continues. Next stop: launch campaign. 🚀   #HTVX #Tanegashima #SpaceLaunch #MissionInProgress #BeyondGravity Credits: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

We're excited to announce that Dr. Barbara Frei-Spreiter will take over as the new CEO of RUAG International and Beyond Gravity, starting April 7th, 2026. Barbara succeeds André Wall, who announced his resignation in 2025. Until Barbara's start date, André will continue leading the company and ensure a seamless transition. We thank André for his leadership over the past 5.5 years. He significantly shaped Beyond Gravity’s positioning as a global space industry supplier. As we enter this new chapter, Barbara is the ideal leader to take us into the next frontier. She brings extensive experience leading large, global high-tech organizations through complex transformations. She's known for her collaborative, empowering leadership style that enables teams to thrive. As the space industry continues evolving towards more industrialization and standardization, her ability to drive operational excellence and transformation, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and delivery, will be invaluable. Welcome to the team, Barbara! We are ready to further build on our 60-year heritage under your leadership and reach new heights together. Let's get ready for lift-off! 🚀 Find more information at: https://lnkd.in/ekEWr_EY #leadership #space #CEO