Press Release

 

Germany – Land of Ideas: ElringKlinger drives satellite

Bietigheim-Bissingen, November 20, 2008 +++ Working in cooperation with the Institute of Space Systems (ISS) at Stuttgart University, ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik GmbH, Bietigheim-Bissingen/Germany, has developed a method whereby PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) can be used as a fuel for satellite propulsion systems. In recognition of this achievement, the company was honored with an innovation prize as part of the "365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas" competition.

"The helix-shaped solid-fuel propellant made of PTFE/Teflon® will be used in the satellite thrusters of the Baden-Württemberg 1 Lunar Mission directed by the Institute of Space Systems (ISS) at Stuttgart University" ElringKlinger receives German innovation award “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” From left to right: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ernst Messerschmid, Institute of Space Systems at Stuttgart University; Heinrich Schramm, General Manager ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik GmbH (Engineered Plastics division); Friedrich Stähler, Chairman of Deutsche Bank AG’s Executive Board for the Wuerttemberg region; Dr.-Ing. Georg Herdrich, Institute of Space Systems at Stuttgart University; Dr. Michael Schlipf, Head of Research&Development, ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik GmbH; Dr. Stefan Wolf, CEO ElringKlinger Group.

Friedrich Stähler, Chairman of Deutsche Bank AG's Executive Board for the Württemberg Region presented the award to Heinrich Schramm, General Manager of ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik GmbH, at the official event held at The Parkhotel in Bietigheim-Bissingen. The company thus joins an illustrious group of former award-winners taking part in the nationwide "365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas" competition for innovation, which is organized under the patronage of Germany's Federal President Horst Köhler. To mark the occasion, keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Ernst Messerschmid presented his thoughts on the future of space flight.

ElringKlinger Kunststofftechnik has developed a method whereby PTFE – which is more commonly known as the anti-stick material TEFLON® (DuPont) – can be deployed as a solid-fuel propellant for satellite thrusters. Satellites and space probes used for communication purposes, weather monitoring and scientific experiments in space require such thrusters for precision attitude control and flightpath adjustment. The new propellant is highly efficient and can be apportioned in very small quantities. Displaying excellent fuel economy, it significantly increases satellites' overall service life.

Lunar mission
The newly developed solid fuel is easier to handle and more robust under space conditions than liquid types of propellant. In addition, it achieves greater fuel economy compared with conventional chemical propulsion methods, and given the space constraints of satellites, lower fuel loads are a significant advantage. The PTFE-fuelled propulsion systems can be ignited as often as required. What is more, the plasma, which is accelerated by means of an electromagnetic field, reaches an exit velocity of more than 20 kilometers per second. The ISS plans to deploy the new satellite thrusters during the BW1 (Baden-Württemberg 1) lunar mission, which is to be launched at the end of this decade. Only around 50 kg of Teflon® PTFE will be needed for the flight to the moon. A conventional propulsion system would require at least three times as much fuel.
The first Teflon^®/PTFE solid-fuel units are currently undergoing successful ISS testing in a 1:1 model. ElringKlinger believes that other international organizations working within the field of satellite technology will also be interested in the system.

Teflon^® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company