Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space) is doubling its production capability of satellite dispensers in Linköping, Sweden, with the construction of a new facility.
Beyond Gravity is the world’s leading manufacturer for dispensers used for satellite constellations where multiple satellites of the same design are launched into orbit in quick succession. Beyond Gravity has successfully placed more than 1,100 satellites into orbit – from the European Galileo satellite navigation constellation, the OneWeb internet constellation, the TerraBella Earth Observation satellite constellation to the Canadian Radarsat Earth Observation constellation. All Beyond Gravity dispensers and separation systems are manufactured in Linköping, Sweden.
New production facility, 60 new jobs
On March 15 Beyond Gravity broke ground on a new production facility located just one kilometer from Beyond Gravity’s existing manufacturing plant. Construction of the new facility is scheduled for completion in 2023. With this new building, Beyond Gravity will double its production capacity in Linköping. Instead of one dispenser system every month, the company will produce one every two weeks in the future. The capacity expansion will cover the increased dispenser production volume required to support the growth of large satellite constellations. This will also lead to the creation of new jobs in Linköping, as the number of employees in dispenser systems production will increase by 60, from about 140 at present to about 200 in 2023.
Series production in smart factory
The new plant in Linköping provides an additional state-of-the-art production area of 4,600 square meters, in addition to the existing production area of 3,000 square meters. The new hall is designed for series production. “We are shortening our production lead times by 50 percent and are thus ideally equipped for industrialized large-scale production,” says Holger Wentscher, responsible for the Launchers business at Beyond Gravity. “With smart manufacturing tools and sensors, we will digitize our production line to enable process transparency with real-time data, data analytics and integrated quality control to ensure a high level of performance.” To address sustainability, the hall will feature solar panels. “The investment is a clear commitment of us to the Linköping production site. Here we have excellent employees, great know-how and a perfect infrastructure for New Space.”
More than 1,100 satellites placed into orbit
Beyond Gravity’s separation systems have been used to perform more than 1,100 in-orbit separations, with a 100% success rate. They are super-lightweight and feature state-of-the-art technology. Built in Linköping for 40 years, they ensure that the satellite and rocket remain securely connected during the tough journey into space, and then precisely deliver the valuable payloads into orbit. At its lower interface the dispenser structure is bolted to the launch vehicle upper stage.
RUAG Space is now called Beyond Gravity
RUAG Space, a division of RUAG International, started operating in the market with its new brand Beyond Gravity on March 14, 2022. The company will change its legal name on May 1, 2022. The new name and brand identity are intended to sharpen the focus externally, position the Space division succinctly in the profoundly changing markets and make the comprehensive range of services even better known to customers. Beyond Gravity, which employs around 1,600 people, is thus positioning itself even more consistently as a global player in the international space market. More information can be found on the new website www.beyondgravity.com.
Beyond Gravity, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, combines a startup mindset, agility, speed, and innovation with decades of experience and proven quality. Approximately 1’600 employees in seven countries (Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Germany, USA, Finland, and Portugal) develop and manufacture products for satellites and launch vehicles. In 2023, Beyond Gravity generated a revenue of around USD 427 million (CHF 383 million).
