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How quality supports the quest for clean energy
Over the centuries, there have been numerous experiments that have found their way into the shared consciousness: Foucault’s pendulum; Doppler’s trumpets, Volta’s battery, and many others.
In terms of scale and impact, there is an experiment under construction in the South of France that could eclipse them all: ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. The project started in 2006 and works began in 2010 with the with the grandest of objectives – to harness the power of nuclear fusion, the same energy source that fuels the sun.
Its potential, if successful, would truly mark a new energy era for our planet. But to say the least, there are challenges ahead. To achieve success, the experiment must create an environment far hotter than the core of the Sun, which will generate a plasma and allow hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium, to fuse and form helium. In doing so it will release large amounts of energy; hopefully many times more energy than was put into the process.
As you can imagine, this type of experiment involves a great deal more work to conduct than to conceive. Making a star on Earth requires a totally unprecedented level of skill and precision, but at the end of this colossal undertaking is the opportunity to harvest abundant safe, sustainable power to improve quality of life for everyone on the planet.
Alain Becoulet, the chief scientist at ITER, sums up the magnitude of this vision: “Quality of life depends on energy. And yet energy is one of the greatest challenges we face. We need cleaner, more efficient and more reliable energy than any other source. To make that a reality, we are creating a sun here on planet Earth.”
Hexagon is our preferred supplier for metrology. We’ve had great support and a vast amount of capability.”
David Wilson
Metrology Principal Engineer, ITER Organisation
Beatrice Alix continues: “The Hexagon metrology equipment we use ranges from probing systems to scanning devices on the large volume side and handheld scanners for more close-up areas of the components.”
With hardware and software that can be completely trusted, the team has a chance of capturing non-conformities as early as possible during the process. The later these issues become evident, the bigger the problems and the bigger the cost to the project.
$15.8 M
cost of an F1 car
€128 M
team spending cap per season
1/10
of a second can determine a victory
20,000
updates to the car per season
400 GB
data gathered per race
50%
fewer faults in two years
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Time to read: 4 minutes
A championship spirit | The challenger culture | Making a legendary car | Right the first time | Looking to the future
How quality supports the quest for clean energy
Over the centuries, there have been numerous experiments that have found their way into the shared consciousness: Foucault’s pendulum; Doppler’s trumpets, Volta’s battery, and many others.
In terms of scale and impact, there is an experiment under construction in the South of France that could eclipse them all: ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Work started in 2007 with the grandest of objectives – to harness the power of nuclear fusion, the same energy source that fuels the sun.
Its potential, if successful, would truly mark a new energy era for our planet. But to say the least, there are challenges ahead. To achieve success, the experiment must create an environment far hotter than the core of the Sun, which will generate a plasma and allow hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium, to fuse and form helium. In doing so it will release large amounts of energy; hopefully many times more energy than was put into the process.
As you can imagine, this type of experiment involves a great deal more work to conduct than to conceive. Making a star on Earth requires a totally unprecedented level of skill and precision, but at the end of this colossal undertaking is the opportunity to harvest abundant safe, sustainable power to improve quality of life for everyone on the planet.
Alain Becoulet, the chief scientist at ITER, sums up the magnitude of this vision: “Quality of life depends on energy. And yet energy is one of the greatest challenges we face. We need cleaner, more efficient and more reliable energy than any other source. To make that a reality, we are creating a sun here on planet Earth.”
Enhancing quality of life with cleaner energy
The availability of fusion energy could transform access to energy, providing an equitable solution to energy distribution challenges and helping to lift communities out of energy poverty.
Fusion energy offers several major advantages over traditional nuclear fission and fossil fuels. Unlike fission, fusion does not produce highly radioactive, long-lived waste, and it does not carry the meltdown risk. As Alain Becoulet explains: "The advantage between fission and fusion is that with fusion you cannot have a chain reaction and it cannot go out of control."
In addition, the fuel used - isotopes of hydrogen like deuterium and tritium - is abundant and widely distributed across the planet. This abundance, coupled with the minimal environmental impact of fusion, makes it an attractive energy solution for the future and this is why the experiment at ITER is so important for everyone on the planet.
A crucial next few years
The team at ITER expect initial operations to start in the mid 2030s, so all eyes will be on the project over the coming years. Every detail will need to be perfect; every millimetre alignment and interface, to ensure successful operation.
With Hexagon’s mastery of measurement and unique hardware and software portfolio, together we can build towards a more sustainable future by accelerating innovation in energy sources, to shape a better reality and improve quality of life for all.
Discover more about the solutions used at OHB
Quality is not simply a nice-to-have, it’s absolutely a must-have”
Alain Becoulet
Chief Scientist, ITER Organisation
Tokamak weight
Magnet alignment
1mm
23,000
tonnes
Conductor tolerance
microns
100
The OHB story at a glance
cameras must align perfectly for PLATO
The distance from which PLATO can study the diameter of a dime
The amount of g-force components must endure
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Are we alone in the universe?
This question has been pondered upon by humans for thousands of years. But are we any closer to finding the answer?
The search for extra-terrestrial lifeforms has been the focus for much of our space endeavour during the 20th and 21st centuries. But it is simply not possible to send people into space to do the searching. Instead, we rely heavily on incredibly sensitive equipment that is able to detect the subtle variations that reveal the types of environments existing on planets within and beyond our solar system.
The fact we are here at all means we know for sure that rocky planets with liquid water are able to support organic life. So these qualities are high on the list of signals to search for.
The challenge in building satellites is that we typically build only 1 or 2 of them, and they need to work the first time and throughout the entire mission.”
Bernhard Sang - Chief Engineer, Optical Missions & Instruments, OHB System
OHB System AG
At the forefront of this search for extra-terrestrial life is OHB System AG, a leading European space engineering company specialising in satellites and space systems. The projects OHB supports with its expertise of more than 40 years bring improvements to a wide range of stakeholders, from weather forecasting, to precision agriculture, to civil security. To achieve this, OHB requires absolute precision in its processes, particularly in areas such as optics and assembly.
"Quality is not simply a nice-to-have, it’s absolutely a must-have."
Alain Becoulet, Chief Scientist, ITER Organisation
With Hexagon, we found the ideal partner. It's just a phone call, and then we have the right team supporting us.”
Dr Axel Müller – Senior Expert, Quality Control, OHB System
The search goes on
One of the universal truths of space exploration is that it takes an enormous amount of collaboration to achieve successful missions. This is vital because the unique demands of space-grade manufacturing requires adaptability, trust in data and different departments working together with unity and precision.
As shown by OHB, quality drives every decision made in space technology manufacturing. There is simply no room for error as the extreme environments endured by every component will put pressure on any flaw or misalignment.
Together, OHB and Hexagon’s commitment to quality ensures that humanity can continue to explore the deep universe and find the answer to that fundamental question of whether we are alone or part of a web more vast than we can possibly comprehend.
Sub-micron shims are used to align components
1 million stars will be observed
Conditions vary from +150 °C to -150 °C
Embed quality in your operation
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The PLATO mission
One of OHB’s key projects is PLATO, a planet-hunting satellite designed to detect rocky, water-bearing Earth-like planets capable of supporting life. Equipped with 26 cameras, PLATO will study stars and their planets in precise detail while orbiting the Second Sun–Earth Lagrange point (L2). The manufacturing of PLATO requires highly exacting, micron-level precision to ensure it is fully capable of detecting minuscule dips in starlight; the indicators of planets transiting their stars.
Choosing Hexagon as their preferred supplier of metrology solutions has given the team the assurance that they are utilising the most accurate technology available on the market to achieve their objectives. OHB use Hexagon’s laser trackers, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and software.
OHB faced several challenges during the PLATO project, particularly the micron-level accuracy required while protecting against the harsh conditions of space, such as extremes of temperature (-150°C to +150°C) and high launch accelerations (up to 50G). On top of this was the need for clean room conditions to prevent contamination of any optics. Working in collaboration with OHB, Hexagon were able to modify the CMM to operate within an ISO5 clean room for measurement of the PLATO system, ensuring all components, even the grease used, had no negative impact on the cleanliness of the environment.
With the PLATO project, one of the major challenges is the camera alignment, which must be perfect. The alignment is performed using Hexagon’s laser trackers, while Hexagon’s CMMs supported the process by measuring sub-micrometer shims which are introduced to the system until perfect alignment is reached.
As part of this project, non-destructive testing software solutions from Hexagon helped optimise soldering processes and predict material wear which contribute to overall operational reliability. The software makes it possible to see the evolution of any solder cracks, so the team can optimise the soldering process and avoid the cracks starting in the first place. With the extreme conditions and extremely tight tolerances, solutions such as these are critical for improved system durability.
The Mars rover project, part of the ExoMars mission, also presented significant engineering challenges, particularly with the development of the crushing station designed to detect life on Mars within its rocks. This device drills into the Martian surface, collects samples, and processes them into powder for onboard analysis. One major challenge was ensuring the crushing station could withstand the intense wear and tear and forces involved. Traditional testing methods involve disassembling components like gearboxes, however, the disassembly process makes accurate insights impossible to achieve.
OHB resolved these issues by employing non-destructive testing using Hexagon’s VGSTUDIO MAX software. This technology allowed them to assess wear and damage without disassembly. Additionally, computed tomography was used to monitor and optimise the soldering of electronics, addressing potential damage from thermal expansion and contraction in space.
VGSTUDIO MAX provides non-destructive insights across every stage of the product lifecycle, empowering manufacturers to enhance quality, reduce costs, and accelerate production. With a comprehensive suite of inspection tools including CT reconstruction, AI-driven segmentation, GD&T analysis, material evaluation, and simulation. VGSTUDIO MAX is the preferred software for precision-focused industries.
Hexagon Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) deliver exceptional accuracy, seamless workflows, and advanced software integration. From ensuring part compliance to boosting production efficiency, Hexagon’s solutions enable you to meet tight tolerances and make confident, data-driven quality decisions.
Designed for medium to large part inspection and large-scale assembly applications, these ultra-portable systems are indispensable across industries. With precise 3D measurement to reflectors and six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) functionality, laser trackers support handheld probes, laser scanners, and machine control solutions for versatile, high-performance metrology.
24
300 km
50 g
The quality of the data from Hexagon’s technologies is fundamental to the success of our space missions.”
Dr Axel Müller – Senior Expert, Quality Control, OHB System
ExoMars
OHB社の歩み
のカメラが完全に揃うことがPLATOの必須条件
PLATOが「10円玉ほどの直径」を
観測できる距離
PLATOの部品が
耐え抜く極限の重力加速度
24 台
300 km
50 g
メニュー:
OHB |
私たちは、宇宙で孤独なのだろうか。
この問いは、何千年ものあいだ人類が思い続けてきたものです。では、私たちはその答えにどれほど近づいているのでしょう。
20世紀から21世紀にかけて、地球外生命の探索は宇宙開発の大きなテーマとなってきました。しかし、人間が宇宙へ出向いて直接探すことは現実的ではありません。そこで私たちは、太陽系内外の惑星に存在する環境のわずかな変化を捉えられる、極めて高感度な観測機器を用いて探査を進めています。
そもそも私たちがここに存在しているという事実は、「岩石質で液体の水を持つ惑星が生命を育むことができる」という確かな証拠です。だからこそ、こうした条件は生命の兆候を探すうえで最も重要な手がかりとなっています。
"衛星づくりの難しさは、通常1〜2基しか製造せず、しかも一度で確実に、そして、
その後のミッション期間中ずっと正常に機能し続けなければならないことにあります。"
ベルンハルト・ザング氏 - OHB System AG 光学ミッション＆機器部門 チーフエンジニア
OHB System AG
地球外生命の探索の最前線に立つのが、衛星および宇宙システムを専門とする欧州有数の宇宙工学企業 OHB社です。OHB社が40年以上の専門技術で支えてきた数々のプロジェクトは、気象予測から精密農業、市民の安全保障に至るまで、幅広い分野の発展に貢献しています。こうした価値を実現するため、OHB社では、とりわけ光学や組立といった領域で、工程の一つひとつに絶対的な精度が求められます。
"Quality is not simply a nice-to-have, it’s absolutely a must-have."
Alain Becoulet, Chief Scientist, ITER Organisation
"Hexagonのテクノロジーが生み出すデータの品質は、私たちの宇宙ミッションの成功に欠かせない基盤です。"
Dr. アクセル・ミュラー氏 – OHB System AG 品質管理 シニアエキスパート
PLATOミッション
OHB社の主要プロジェクトのひとつがPLATOです。PLATOは、生命を育む可能性を持つ、岩石質で、水を保持する地球型惑星を検出するために設計された惑星探査衛星です。26台のカメラを搭載し、太陽–地球系の第2ラグランジュ点（L2）を周回しながら、恒星とその惑星を精密に観測します。PLATOの製造には、恒星のわずかな減光 ― 惑星が恒星の前を通過する際に生じる 微小な変化 ― を確実に捉えるため、ミクロン単位の極めて厳密な精度が求められます。
計測ソリューションの主要なパートナーとしてHexagonを選んだことで、チームは市場で最も高精度なテクノロジーを活用できているという確かな安心を得ています。OHB社は、Hexagonのレーザートラッカー、座標測定機（CMM）、そしてソフトウェアを活用しています。
OHB社はPLATOプロジェクトにおいて、宇宙空間の過酷な環境 ― 極端な温度変化（−150°Cから+150°C）や、打ち上げ時に最大50Gに達する高い加速度 ― から機器を守りつつ、ミクロン単位の精度を確保しなければならないという、いくつもの課題に直面しました。さらに、光学系への汚染を防ぐため、クリーンルーム環境での作業も不可欠でした。OHB社とHexagonが協力することで、PLATOシステムの測定に使用する三次元測定機をISO5クリーンルームで稼働できるように改良し、使用される部品はもちろん、グリースに至るまで環境の清浄性に影響を与えないよう徹底することが可能になりました。
PLATOプロジェクトで大きな課題のひとつとなったのが、完全な精度が求められるカメラのアライメントです。アライメント作業にはHexagonのレーザートラッカーが使用され、さらにHexagonのCMMが、サブミクロン精度のシムを測定することで工程を支えました。これらのシムをシステムに組み込み、調整を重ねることで、最終的に理想的なアライメントが実現されます。
このプロジェクトでは、Hexagonの非破壊検査ソフトウェアが、はんだ付け工程の最適化や材料摩耗の予測に活用され、システム全体の信頼性向上に貢献しました。このソフトウェアにより、はんだクラックの進行を可視化できるため、チームははんだ付けプロセスを改善し、そもそもクラックが発生しないよう対策を講じることができます。極限環境下で、しかも非常に厳しい公差が求められる中で、このようなソリューションはシステム耐久性を高めるうえで欠かせない存在です。
OHB社が採用するソリューションについて詳しく見る
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Learn more
Hexagon’s SpatialAnalyzer metrology software is a powerful yet easy-to-use tool perfect for the analysis of large-scale applications, helping to improve measurement and inspection efficiencies.
SpatialAnalyzer
Hexagon’s flagship 3D scanning sensor gives the team at ITER the precision scan data they need and offers both simple usability and high-productivity non-contact 3D measurement.
Absolute Scanner AS1
Discover more about the solutions used at ITER to build the experimental reactor.
The team at ITER leverages a wide range of Hexagon’s metrology portfolio including laser trackers, scanners, probes and software to ensure all components fit perfectly.
Laser tracker systems
A long-term standard in industrial metrology: Laser tracker systems lead the field in terms of the accuracy, reliability and durability of portable coordinate measuring machines.
VGSTUDIO MAXは、製品ライフサイクルのあらゆる段階で非破壊によるインサイトを提供し、品質向上、コスト削減、生産スピードの向上を実現します。CT再構成、AIを活用したセグメンテーション、GD&T解析、材料評価、シミュレーションなど、幅広い検査ツールを備えた包括的なソフトウェアスイートです。精密さを重視する産業において、VGSTUDIO MAXは信頼される選択肢となっています。
Hexagonの三次元測定機（CMM）は、卓越した測定精度、スムーズなワークフロー、そして高度なソフトウェア統合を実現します。部品の適合性を確保する場面から生産効率の向上まで、Hexagonのソリューションは厳しい公差要求に応え、データに基づく確かな品質判断を可能にします。
中型から大型部品の検査や大規模アセンブリに向けて設計された超ポータブルなレーザートラッカーは、さまざまな産業で欠かせない存在です。反射ターゲットを用いた高精度の3D測定に加え、6自由度（6DoF）に対応しており、ハンドヘルドプローブやレーザースキャナー、機械制御ソリューションなど、多様な計測用途を高性能にサポートします。
"Hexagon は、まさに理想的なパートナーです。電話一本で、必要な専門チームがすぐに支援してくれます。"
Dr. アクセル・ミュラー氏 – OHB System AG 品質管理 シニアエキスパート
ExoMarsミッションの一環である火星ローバープロジェクトでは、特に火星の岩石から生命の痕跡を検出するために開発された「破砕ステーション」において、大きな技術的課題がありました。この装置は火星表面にドリルで穴を開け、サンプルを採取し、機体内で分析できるよう粉末状に加工します。最大の課題のひとつは、破砕ステーションがこの工程で発生する激しい摩耗や大きな力に耐えられるようにすることでした。従来の試験方法では、ギアボックスなどの部品を分解して検査しますが、分解してしまうと正確な状態を把握することができません。
OHB社は、HexagonのVGSTUDIO MAXソフトウェアを用いた非破壊検査によって、これらの課題を解決しました。この技術により、分解することなく摩耗や損傷の状態を評価できるようになりました。さらに、電子部品のはんだ付けについては、宇宙空間で起こり得る熱膨張・収縮によるダメージに対応するため、コンピュータ断層撮影を活用して状態を監視し、最適化を図りました。
ExoMars
探査は続く
宇宙探査における普遍的な真実のひとつは、成功をつかむには膨大な協働が欠かせないということです。宇宙仕様の製造には、柔軟性、データへの信頼、そして部門を超えた緊密な連携と精度が求められるため、この協働は極めて重要です。
OHB社が示すように、宇宙技術の製造では、あらゆる判断の中心に「品質」があります。宇宙の極限環境では、わずかな欠陥やずれでさえ致命的になり得るため、ミスは一切許されません。
OHB社とHexagonが品質にこだわり続けることで、人類はこれからも深宇宙へと探査を進め、私たちが孤独なのか、それとも想像を超える広大なつながりの一部なのかという根源的な問いに挑み続けることができるのです。
サブミクロン精度のシムで
部品をアライメント
100万個の恒星を観測
+150°Cから-150°Cの環境に対応
欧州宇宙機関（ESA）に特別な謝意を表します。本コンテンツに含まれる情報および見解は制作側のものであり、ESAの公式な見解・意見を必ずしも反映するものではありません。
PLATO
PLATO（PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars）は、欧州宇宙機関（ESA）がPLATOミッションコンソーシアムと協力して実施し、資金提供しているプログラムです。PLATO は、太陽に似た恒星のハビタブルゾーンまでの軌道を回る地球型系外惑星を調査します。このミッションでは、系外惑星のサイズを測定し、周囲のエクスムーンやリングの存在も発見します。また、受信する星のわずかな光度変化を解析することで、惑星を持つ恒星の特性も明らかにします。
ExoMars
この宇宙機構は、火星表面で採取したサンプルをその場で分析するための「サンプル準備・分配システム（Sample Preparation and Distribution System）」の一部です。
ESAのExoMars Rover and Surface Platform Missionにおけるロザリンド・フランクリン・ローバー向けに、Thales Alenia Spaceとの契約のもとOHB社が開発・製造・認証を行ったものです。
ソリューション |