SCHURTER has maintained a development collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) for many years. Two fuses have already been qualified by the ESA for use in space.
SCHURTER has maintained a development collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) for many years. Two fuses have already been qualified by the ESA for use in space.After an intensive evaluation and qualification process in cooperation with representatives of the European Space and Research and Technology Center (ESTEC) from Holland, SCHURTER received certification of the HCSF fuse. Eight years after the successful qualification of the MGA-S, SCHURTER is still the only Swiss company and thus also the only European supplier of fuses with this qualification [1].
The MGA-S [2] is a SMD (surface mounting device) fuse, which is manufactured with thin-film technology and is hermetically sealed with the ceramic housing and designed to be extremely robust. Similarly, the new HCSF fuse [3] was developed for applications with higher rated currents. The approaches to solutions of this development are summarized in the history of this successful cooperation [4]. Besides the description of the technical possibilities, the relevant collaboration documents with the ESA are also referenced therein.
Both fuses meet the exceptionally demanding requirements of the aerospace industry, e.g., consistent properties during operation in a high vacuum or an acceleration of 1,600 g’s. Further relevant details about the products are listed in the respective data sheets. Each article delivered goes through a specified burn-in test lasting 168 hr at 85°C and 96% of the rated current. As a result, the failure rate of the fuse during operation is practically reduced to zero. The products are provided with an extensive test report.
SCHURTER is proud is be listed as the supplier of qualified products on the ESA webpage [5]. The excellent quality of the SCHURTER products is based on focused, market-oriented development in close cooperation with our partners as well as use of state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and production facilities. The company is distinguished by its consistent quality management.