TU Delft spin-offs in space
Many successful startups have emerged from the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. From life on Mars to off-the-shelf satellite missions. The 10 that we selected all have one thing in common: space.
Founded by four rocket experts, T-Minus Engineering designed rocket products for the European market. In 2014, the company took a sidestep to NASA when it became involved in the InSight project.
Ursa Minor supplies navigational and communications services and was closely involved in the Galileo programme, Europe’s biggest space project ever. Among Ursa Minor’s products is the Ursa Minor Search and Reference Beacon, civilian satellite navigation systems that have been operational since 2016.
Space Products and Innovation (Spin) is currently working on a multi-functional adapter. It supplies a plug-and-play pre-fab kit to build your own satellite. There’s a reason that the company’s slogan is ‘Build a satellite like Lego’.
Science & Technology Corporation (S&T) researches and designs measuring and control systems for space travel, science and defence. The company does space monitoring, such as monitoring pipelines. S&T was also closely involved in the building of ESA’s Sentinel-3A satellite.
Travelling to Mars and living there permanently seems impossible but Mars One says that living on the red planet is closer than ever. The team, that intends to house the first Earth emigrant in 2031, is involved in unmanned missions to try to build a liveable settlement.
Innovative Solutions In Space (Isis) works across the world. It specialises in completing small off-the-shelf satellite missions, including take-off. The company also supports the general development of space travel through training programmes and knowledge sharing.
This company supports the entire aerospace industry by designing and building advanced structures. These could be designing and producing solar panels and antennae for small satellites, and testing materials in space.
Dawn Aerospace hopes to be the first company in history to fly twice a day with the same aircraft to space. The aircraft has not yet been built, but the team has already won several world firsts. Such as the first 3D printed pressure vessel ever approved by the European Space Agency.
Airborne supplies affordable space components such as the design and production of composite panels for satellites. The company has offices in the Netherlands, Spain and England.
Arceon Novel Elements developed a versatile advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) that can withstand extreme temperature variations. The company has just entered a partnership with the builders of the Lunar Zebro.