4th ESA Workshop on Advanced Manufacturing
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the ESA led advanced manufacturing cross cutting initiative which has served the European Space Community. To celebrate this, ESA will be hosting the 4th ESA workshop on Advanced Manufacturing.
The central theme of this 3 day workshop is the use of advanced manufacturing as an enabler of Europe’s ambitions in Space. The workshop continues to address emerging technologies that open up new industrial possibilities in terms of design freedom and streamlined production, while enhancing product performance and reducing cost. This encompasses:
• Materials Processing (including shaping, joining, composite, additive manufacturing)
• Materials Development (including alloy and resin development, smart materials, surface engineering)
• Hybrid Manufacturing (including repair)
• Electronic Assembly (including lead-free transition and PCB technology)
The workshop will highlight the growing importance of digital innovation across the entire Materials & Manufacturing Processes value chain.
• Sensor Integration (NDI, in-process monitoring, health monitoring)
• Predictive analytics (predictive maintenance, End of Live prediction, operational performance feedback)
• Simulation of Materials & Manufacturing Processes (Design assisted by Artificial Intelligence, virtual testing of Process-Structure-Property, Digital Twins)
In addition to the latest status of ESA funded research and technology development activities, round table discussions will also take place to outline the future direction of advanced manufacturing in Europe.
A compliant mechanisms developed by CSEM in a test configuration
Two mirror telescope fully assembled after testing (image courtesy of OHB and TNO)
Test samples printed on the first metal 3D printer, now installed on the International Space Station
Optimal composite structures using Isogrids (Image courtesy of Airbus Defence and Spece)
Agenda
Note: the agenda is still being finalised and may be subject to some last minute changes. We will endeavor to keep these changes to a minimum.
Tuesday 4th March 2025
09:00 Onsite Registration
10:00 Introduction and Welcome, Tommaso Ghidini (ESA)
10:10 Overview of Discovery, TDE and GSTP funding opportunities (ESA)
10:25 Introduction to the Advanced Manufacturing Cross Cutting Initiative, Thomas Rohr (ESA)
10:45 Coffee Break
11:10 Handover of metal 3D specimens printed in Space
11:15 Technical Session 1: Propulsion
Chairs: Benoit Bonvoisin, Marco
Mulser
11:15 Advanced manufacturing for space transportation, Kate Underhill (ESA)
11:45 How to train your Dragon: making in space propulsion work, Simon Hyde (ESA)
12:10 Development of cubesat xenon tanks using Cold Spray, Vito Di Pietro (TWI Ltd, UK)
12:35 Quality assurance of propulsion components by high-energy x-ray CT, Dirk Müter (Force Technology, Denmark)
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Technical Session 2: Comms and RF
Chairs: Oilid Bouzekri, Vito Di Pietro
14:00 SWISSto12’s Additive Manufacturing for Satellite
Payloads, Bas Martens (SWISSto12, Switzerland)
14:30 Evaluation and consolidation of Additive Manufacturing processes and materials for the manufacturing of RF hardware, Mauro Lumia (CNR - Thales Alenia Space, Italy)
14:55 Metal 3D-Printed Microwave and Millimetre-Wave Waveguide Passive Devices and Antennas, Yi Wang (University of Birmingham, UK)
15:20 Additive
Manufacturing for Frequency and Polarization Selective Surfaces, Carlos Alberto
Leal Sevillano (Sener, Spain)
15:45 Coffee Break
16:15 Breakout sessions on the future of advanced manufacturing (1 hour)
Wednesday 5th March 2025
09:00 Technical Session 3: Structures
Chairs: Benoit Bonvoisin, Erich Neubauer
09:00 Keynote presentation on the role of advanced manufacturing for Structures (ESA)
09:30 Fibre Steering for Lightweight and Cost Efficient Space Structures, Trevor Seabrock, (iCOMAT, UK)
09:55 Development of grid-stiffened cylinders for space transportation applications, Bart Smeets (ATG Innovations, Ireland)
10:20 Linear Friction Welding of structures for Space applications, Pedro Santos (TWI Ltd, UK)
10:45 Coffee Break
11:15 Technical Session 4: Mechanisms
Chairs: Dorota Budzyn,
Paolo Zaltron
11:15 Introduction to the advanced manufacturing of mechanisms (ESA)
11:20 Study on Electroactive Polymer (EAP) Actuators for Space Applications: design, testing and compatibility, Fabio Beco Albuquerque (Dätwyler Schweiz AG)
11:45 Advanced Manufacturing of Rotors for Reaction Wheels, Dimitri Albert (Collins Aerospace, Germany)
12:10 Metallic Glasses for High Performance Mechanism Applications, Andy Norman (ESA)
12:35 Additive manufacturing of shape memory alloys for space applications, Vaclav Pejchal (CSEM, Switzerland)
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Technical Session 5: Power
and Electronics
Chairs: Jussi Hokka, Hoda Amel
14:00 Introduction to the advanced manufacturing for Power and Electronics Applications, Jussi Hokka (ESA)
14:05 Development and integration of embedded sensors for advanced manufacturing processes, Sebastjan Glinsek (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology)
14:30 Modelling, simulation and automated inspection of electronic assemblies, Bart Vandevelde (IMEC, Belgium)
14:55 Investigation of Additive Manufacturing of improved ceramic packages for detectors, Erich Neubauer (RHP Technology, Austria)
15:20 Printed structural electronics, Iban Quintana (Tekniker, Spain)
15:45 Coffee Break
16:15 Technical Session 6: Miscellaneous
1
Chairs: Advenit Makaya, Norberto Jimenez
16:15 In-orbit demonstration of metal 3D printing, Rob Postema and Advenit Makaya (ESA)
16:45 Additive Manufacturing of ATHENA's large Optical Bench by Direct Energy Deposition, Mirko Riede (Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology, Germany)
17:15 Advanced manufacturing for thermal applications, Emmanuel Caplanne (ESA)
Thursday 6th Of March 2025
09:05 Technical Session 7: Miscellaneous 2
Chairs: Joao Gandra, Sébastien Eyrignoux
09:05 Implementing data driven and Machine Learning based solutions for the optimization of Friction Stir Welding, Christian Roeger (MT Aerospace, Germany)
09:30 Benchmarking of aluminium and copper alloy powders for Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Hoda Amel (MTC, UK)
09:55 Development of new titanium alloys for additive manufacturing, Steve Nardone (Larbolec, Belgium) and Norberto Jimenez (CRM Research, Belgium)
10:25 Direct Energy Deposition (DED) of a new high strength aluminium alloy, Norberto Jimenez (CRM Research, Belgium)
10:45 Coffee Break
11:20 Technical
Session 8: Miscellaneous 3
Chairs: Caterina Iantaffi, Marc De Smit
11:20 Additive manufacturing of metal matrix composites, Riccardo Casati (Polimi, Italy) and Massimiliano Zito (Thales Alenia Space, Italy)
11:45 Finishing technologies for additively manufactured complex parts, Philippe Hendrickx (SABCA, Belgium)
12:10 Development of in line non-destructive inspection techniques for advanced manufacturing, Ian Nicholson (TWI Ltd, UK)
12:35 Anomaly detection dashboard & advanced NDI in Ariane 6 production line, Franz Engel (Nebumind, Germany)
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Panel:
Future of Advanced Manufacturing for Space
15:00 Technical Session 9: Miscellaneous 4
Chairs: Andy Norman, Mirko Riede
15:00 From AM Prototypes to Serial Production, Sebastián Greco (CITD, Spain)
15:25 Development and integration of embedded sensors for advanced manufacturing processes, Alejandro Revuelta (VTT, Finland)
15:50 Closure of Workshop / Summary (ESA)
Registration
Registration is required for all participants attending the 4th ESA Workshop on Advanced Manufacturing.
- Access to all general and concurrent sessions
- Refreshment breaks according to the scheduled programme
Note: lunch is taken in the main restaurant at ESA-ESTEC at own expense.
Apply for a scholarship
The 4th ESA workshop on Advanced Manufacturing is offering companies the opportunity to sponsor the participation to students. Students qualify for the sponsorship if they are completing their PhD/Master or are working as intern in an organisation not supporting their participation. The sponsors will have the possibility to select the student the intend to support among the applicants.
ESA Academy Scholarship
The ESA Education Office is pleased to sponsor up to 3 tertiary education students to attend the 4th ESA Workshop on Advanced Manufacturing in the frame of the ESA Academy Short Course Scholarship programme. The scholarship will provide a maximum reimbursement of EUR 700 towards travel and accommodation expenses, which will be reimbursed via a single bank transfer after the workshop and will be paid upon submission of receipts.
To be eligible for an ESA Academy Short Course Scholarship, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application:
- be minimum 18 years old at the time of the short course;
- be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, or Canada;
- be enrolled as a student (Bsc, Msc, or Ph.D.) in a tertiary education academic programme (not graduating before the short course);
- not be able to attend the course through their academic programme;
- not benefit from an overlapping financial support to attend this workshop, unless duly justified;
- agree with the conditions of the ESA Academy’s Privacy Policy
Priority will be given to students who have less than 2 years of professional experience and have never taken part in an activity sponsored by the ESA Education Office.
Click HERE to fill-in the application form.
The deadline for applications is 17 February 2025 at 23:59 CEST.
The decision by the Selection Committee will be communicated by 19 February 2025.
Please send you form to andrew.norman@esa.int
ESA is committed to achieving diversity and creating an inclusive environment. To this end, applications from all eligible candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, social origin, or other characteristics are welcome.
The ESA Education Office is pleased to sponsor up to 3 tertiary education students to attend the 4th ESA Workshop on Advanced Manufacturing in the frame of the ESA Academy Short Course Scholarship programme. The scholarship will provide a maximum reimbursement of EUR 700 towards travel and accommodation expenses, which will be reimbursed via a single bank transfer after the workshop and will be paid upon submission of receipts.
To be eligible for an ESA Academy Short Course Scholarship, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application:
- be minimum 18 years old at the time of the short course;
- be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, or Canada;
- be enrolled as a student (Bsc, Msc, or Ph.D.) in a tertiary education academic programme (not graduating before the short course);
- not be able to attend the course through their academic programme;
- not benefit from an overlapping financial support to attend this workshop, unless duly justified;
- agree with the conditions of the ESA Academy’s Privacy Policy
Priority will be given to students who have less than 2 years of professional experience and have never taken part in an activity sponsored by the ESA Education Office.
Click HERE to fill-in the application form.
The deadline for applications is 17 February 2025 at 23:59 CEST.
The decision by the Selection Committee will be communicated by 19 February 2025.
Please send you form to andrew.norman@esa.int
ESA is committed to achieving diversity and creating an inclusive environment. To this end, applications from all eligible candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, social origin, or other characteristics are welcome.
Accommodation
Hotel bookings will be dealt with by the ESA Travel Office. The list of hotels and rates are available for download HERE. Kindly note that these rates are only available when booked via ATPI and are subject to availability. If the rates for 2024 have not yet been agreed for your preferred hotel then feel free to reach out to ESA Travel Office to request an update.
For the booking of a hotel room via ATPI a booking fee will be applied. To make a booking please e-mail: esa.traveloffice@atpi.com.
Booking Procedure:
Your card will be used to guarantee the room and our service fee of EUR 20 will be charged exclusive of 21% VAT (total amount EUR 24.20).
A secured link will be emailed to you in order to provide the card number and will remain valid for 72 hours. The link works best when you use the Google Chrome browser. Should the link not work please call us during office hours to provide your card number.
If you require a specific company address on your invoice, please inform ESA Travel Office at the time of booking. As they won’t be able to change this once the invoice has been processed.
How to get to ESTEC
The conference will be held at the Space Research and Technology Centre of the European Space Agency (ESA/ESTEC) in Noordwijk, located 35km south-west of Amsterdam International Airport.
ESTEC is well connected with the local public bus services. Website links to train and bus time schedules are published here below. No dedicated transportation between Noordwijk and ESTEC will be provided by the course organiser.
Arriving by car
ESTEC is located at the southern tip of Noordwijk.
From Amsterdam: take the A4 (direction Den Haag-Rotterdam) then at the junction follow the A44. Take the exit "Noordwijk-Voorhout", continue to Noordwijk and from there, follow signs to "ESTEC".
From Den Haag (The Hague): take the A4 (direction Amsterdam) and exit at "Leiden". Follow the N206 towards Katwijk and Haarlem. Take the exit "Katwijk Noord". From there follow signs to "ESTEC" (small white squares).
To reach ESTEC from Noordwijk or how to navigate to Noordwijk please use the following link: Map and Directions.
Purchasing OV-Chipcard
The easiest way to travel using the Dutch public transport system is using an OV-Chipcard. The OV-Chipcard is used in all busses, trains and trams within the Netherlands. Purchasing an OV-Chipcard can easily be done via any ticket machine at larger stations (such as Leiden and Schiphol). The OV-Chipcard uses a simple prepaid system where you top-up money on your card. For more information please follow this link or use the service point finder to find a OV-Chipcard machine in the area.
Purchasing OV-Chipcard
The easiest way to travel using the Dutch public transport system is using an OV-Chipcard. The OV-Chipcard is used in all busses, trains and trams within the Netherlands. Purchasing an OV-Chipcard can easily be done via any ticket machine at larger stations (such as Leiden and Schiphol). The OV-Chipcard uses a simple prepaid system where you top-up money on your card. For more information please follow this link or use the service point finder to find a OV-Chipcard machine in the area.
Arriving by train
The nearest railway station to ESTEC is Leiden Centraal and the Amsterdam Airport railway station is called: Schiphol. To plan your trip, visit www.ns.nl.
Arriving by bus
From Leiden Centraal station, take the number 430 Qbuzz to Katwijk. The bus stops in front of the ESTEC entrance gate. Please note that this bus leaves four times an hour during peak periods and twice an hour during normal hours. Journey time is approx. 30 minutes.
Alternatively you can take Bus 385 from The Hague Central, which stops at the 'Schorpioen' bus stop. To get from this bus stop to ESTEC is only a five minute walk. To plan your trip, visit www.9292.nl.
Arriving by plane
From Schiphol airport, either take a taxi to ESTEC (30 min), or a train to Leiden (20 min) and then the number 430 Qbuzz to Katwijk (30 min). The bus stops in front of the ESTEC entrance gate. By rental car, follow the "Arriving by car" instructions as above from Amsterdam.
Visiting address
European Space & Technology Centre
Keplerlaan 1
2201 AZ Noordwijk (The Netherlands)
Contact Us
ESA Conference Bureau