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
Tuesday 4th March 2025
09:00 Onsite Registration
10:00 Session 1: Welcome, etc.
The morning of the first day will include the registration at ESTEC, followed by an introduction and Welcome to ESA. There will be additional presentations on the GSTP Programme, and the advanced Manufacturing Cross Cutting Initiative.
10:45 Coffee Break
11:15 Technical Session 1: Propulsion
Dedicated session related to the manufacturing of propulsion components including launcher and satellite applications.
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Technical Session 2: Comms and RF
Topics are expected to include the advanced manufacturing of antennas and guided waves, and the use of novel materials for the production of high power filters.
15:45 Coffee Break
16:15 Breakout Session on the future of advanced manufacturing
Wednesday 5th March 2025
09:00 Technical Session 3: Thermal Applications
Presentations are expected to address the manufacturing of heat pipes, cryosats, and the application of a thermal digital twin.
10:45 Coffee Break
11:15 Technical Session 4: Structures
This session will address the use of carbon fibre reinforced composites for use in structural applications, with an emphasis on fibre steering and grid stiffened structures. The application of linear friction welding of large structures will also be presented.
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Technical Session 5: Mechanisms
The sessions on mechanisms will concentrate on the manufacturing of actuators, compliant mechanisms, 3D printed flywheels for reaction wheels, and the use of bulk metallic glass for gears.
15:45 Coffee Break
16:15 Technical Session 6: Power and Electronic Assembly
Latest manufacturing developments in the field of power generation systems (e.g. solar arrays) and electronic assembly including printed circuit boards and printed electronics will be presented.
Thursday 6th Of March 2025
09:05 Technical Session 7
For the final day of the workshop, there will be 3 Technical Sessions dedicated to technology activities which cut cross various manufacturing topics (2 in the morning and one after lunch). Presentations are expected to include:
· Benchmarking aluminium and copper alloys for Laser Powder Bed Fusion
· Direct Energy Deposition of a new aluminium alloy
· New titanium alloys for additive manufacturing
· The first metal printer for the International Space Station
· Finishing technologies for additively manufactured complex parts
· Additive manufacturing of metal matrix composites
· Development of in line non-destructive inspection techniques for advanced manufacturing
14:00 Panel on the Future of Advanced Manufacturing
Finally, there will be a technical panel which will build on the break out session held earlier in the workshop and consider the Future of Advanced Manufacturing.
The workshop is expected to end around 16:30.
Note: A more detailed programme with titles, speakers and timings will be provided at the end of January 2025.
Topics and timings are still subject to change
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.
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