Our year in orbit

Pilatus acquires RUAG Aerostructures in Emmen 

RUAG Aerostructures Switzerland and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd have agreed on the sale of the production infrastructure and the transfer of all employees. The business unit based in Emmen has been producing parts and components for Pilatus aircraft since the early 1990s. These include PC-21 fuselage and the tailplane for the PC-12.

Successful maiden flight of the Vulcan Centaur 

After years of preparation and meticulous planning, our strategic partner United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully sent the new Vulcan launch vehicle into orbit. Beyond Gravity USA developed four critical components for this launch: the payload fairing and mount, the heat shield and the interstage adapter.

New production plant in Decatur 

Beyond Gravity opens a new production facility in Decatur, USA, for launch vehicle structures for the American market, laying the foundation for the next chapter of expansion and innovation. The new plant will double Beyond Gravity's production capacity for payload fairings in the USA, in particular to meet the orders of its core customer United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Successful first flight of Ariane 6 

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Ariane 6 launch vehicle successfully lifts off from the Kourou spaceport on its first flight into space. On board are core components developed by Beyond Gravity. These include the payload fairing, which was manufactured in a state-of-the-art, semi-automated process at the Emmen site in Switzerland, and the extreme temperature insulation for the rocket engines, which was manufactured in Vienna.

Opening of the new production plant in Linköping 

After two years of construction, Beyond Gravity opened the new, state-of-the-art production plant in Linköping, Sweden – an important milestone for the entire company. The plant is equipped with the latest technology for the manufacture of satellite dispenser systems, to meet the requirements of increased production volumes in view of the growth in large satellite constellations. Among other things, the plant manufactures the dispenser modules for all satellites of Amazon's Kuiper constellation, with the first module being handed over to the customer at the end of April.

Major order from MDA Space 

Beyond Gravity's Satellites division has been awarded a major contract by the Canadian company MDA Space, one of the world's largest satellite manufacturers, to supply on-board computers with integrated navigation receivers. These will be used in various satellite constellations, including Telesat's Lightspeed constellation with 198 satellites.

Strategic development and digital transformation 

Iván González Vallejo takes on the role of Chief Transformation & Strategy Officer at Beyond Gravity and becomes a member of the Executive Board. His extensive experience in strategic development and the implementation of complex transformation projects is crucial for optimizing operations and further developing Beyond Gravity's business.

HERA planetary protection mission on its way to the asteroid Dimorphos 

The European Space Agency's (ESA) HERA satellite mission has been successfully launched as part of the world's first attempt to divert an asteroid. HERA will examine the target asteroid Dimorphos in detail after the impact of NASA's DART mission in 2022. Beyond Gravity has designed essential components of the satellite, such as its central structure, the solar wings and their unfolding mechanism.

Successful introduction of the “EZYone” transformation program in Portugal 

With the first implementation of “EZYone” at the Lisbon site, Beyond Gravity is investing in its digital future. This modern digital core enables seamless connections between sites, business units and functions and forms the basis on which Beyond Gravity can offer its customers, suppliers and employees significant added value and innovations.

ZEISS SMT acquires the Lithography division 

The semiconductor division of ZEISS, with around 7,500 employees and seven locations worldwide, is acquiring Beyond Gravity's Lithography division, with more than 200 employees in Germany and Switzerland. The new owner offers the ideal platform to further strengthen the technology leadership of the division. This step will enable Beyond Gravity to focus entirely on its space activities.