Thales Alenia Space has unveiled a plan to build a new automated facility in Hasselt, Belgium, to support the manufacture of photovoltaic assemblies (PVA) on satellite solar panels.

To be developed with €20m in funding, the proposed facility will complement one of Thales parent company Leonardo’s Italy-based PVA manufacturing centre that currently provides PVA services for various agencies such as European Space Agency (ESA) and Italian Space Agency (ASI).

To be produced at Thales’ new facility, the PVA will be integrated into solar arrays at Thales’ site in Cannes, France.

The new industry 4.0 manufacturing facility is expected to enable Space Alliance, a partnership between Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, and its shareholders to provide highly competitive PVA solutions for all satellites’ segments.

“This project is a key milestone in the execution of our strategy aimed at expanding our industrial footprint in Europe in full complementarity with our existing facilities."

Thales Alenia Space president and CEO Jean Galle said: “With the construction of a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in automated manufacturing, Thales Alenia Space confirms its position at the forefront of digital innovation and its ability to accompany its partners through the transformational evolution of the space industry.

“This project is a key milestone in the execution of our strategy aimed at expanding our industrial footprint in Europe in full complementarity with our existing facilities.

“We enlarge our global offer, transform our production methods and gain in agility to meet the needs of the fast-evolving market in which we operate.”

Thales also noted that it will use various innovative technologies such as robotised assembly of panels, digital data management and traceability, online tests and inspections, as well as augmented reality to develop the production of PVA at its new facility in Hasselt.

Image: Rendering of efficient and automated production process. Photo: courtesy of Thales Group.