Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales 67% and Leonardo 33%, today announced the construction of a new site in Hasselt, Belgium, for the automated assembly of photovoltaic (PVA) cells on solar panels for power generation. With a global budget of around 20 million euros, the new site, the first of its kind in Europe, intends to become a showcase for Thales Alenia Space's Industry 4.0 production approach. The site is complementary to the activities of Leonardo's PVA center in Nerviano where assemblies of photovoltaic panels are designed and manufactured for the major programs of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The new Industry 4.0 will allow the Space Alliance and its shareholders to provide highly competitive solutions for photovoltaic assembly for all satellite segments.
Thales Alenia Space has decided to develop the production of photovoltaic assemblies through the use of advanced technologies, while capitalizing on the skills of the teams that underpin the process. The new techniques include the robotic assembly of the panels, the digitization of the production process with the consequent digital management of data and traceability, including online tests and verifications, and the use of augmented reality technologies. People and machines share the working environment, in a harmonious union between physical and cognitive abilities, thus opening up new possibilities in terms of greater efficiency and flexibility. The acquisition and rapid analysis of data from various sources provide added value and competitiveness: Thales Alenia Space pays attention to the competent management of data from its Engineering and Production processes.
The space industry today is undergoing a profound transformation, which includes the advent of new operators and new initiatives leading to significant industrial change. While innovation continues to play a strategic role in a competitive environment, companies must imperatively optimize their processes and transform production plans to meet market needs in terms of cost and accelerated production rates.
“With the construction of an automated production center of excellence, Thales Alenia Space confirms its position at the forefront of innovation and its ability to accompany its partners in the significant evolution of the space industry. The site will be the first to be equipped with automated software, unique in the world for this type of space product" - said Jean Loïc Galle, CEO of Thales Alenia Space - "This project is the implementation of a corporate strategy aimed at increase our presence in Europe, in full complementarity with the already existing sites. We expand our global offer, transform our production methods and acquire the ability to respond quickly to the needs of the fast-changing market in which we operate”.
The photovoltaic assemblies will be made directly within the new Hasselt facility and will then be integrated into the solar panels at the Cannes plant in France. The solar panels are an essential part of the telecommunications satellites that carry the Spacebus platform made by Thales Alenia Space .
Today's telecommunications operators require lean and flexible solutions, innovative and reliable products, real-time monitoring of the production process, a high degree of traceability and shorter work cycles. They are launching large-scale projects such as mega-constellations that require disruptive technologies and imply unprecedented challenges both in terms of technology and production rates. Through its Industry 4.0 approach, Thales Alenia Space is preparing to meet these challenges. Furthermore, the construction of this new site fits perfectly into Thales Alenia Space's strategic plan, which includes an increase in its presence in those key countries that are investing heavily in the space sector.
