Dark

Good news needs to be shared: we are hiring! 🚀 Following the success of Sheitan, our Hades demonstration is set to enter the orbital stage, showcasing our capabilities in rapid space operations. A highly technical approach to solving complex engineering problems has brought us this far; you can be a part of it: ▪️ Propulsion Systems: https://lnkd.in/dkBN3y8w ▪️ Fluid Systems: https://lnkd.in/dRAECttP ▪️ Trajectory & Control: https://lnkd.in/dVCXVJuj Join our mission to unleash space security!

🚀 We're Hiring! 🚀 We are excited to announce a new wave of recruitment. As we prepare for our upcoming orbital demonstration, we're seeking mission-driven peers to strengthen our teams across all areas of space engineering. Space defense missions are driving a paradigm shift, necessitating unprecedented technologies to enable unplanned, short-duration missions. The HADES spacecraft will demonstrate key capabilities: target detection, fast and precise orbital rendezvous, observation, and self-deorbitation. Key areas we're hiring for include: ▪️ Propulsion Systems (cryogenic & orbital engines, fluid subsystems, etc.) ▪️ Avionics / Electronics (space-to-space radar, component hardening, etc.) ▪️ Mechanical Design (CAD, FEM, thermal analysis, etc.) ▪️ Flight Software (embedded software, distributed software, simulators, etc.) ▪️ Trajectory & Control (GNC, mission optimization, etc.) ▪️ Mission Operations & Regulations (ground segment development, control procedures, etc.) 🔗 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gCZP4y2K

🚀 Last month, our team conducted a highly successful test campaign. This event reflects the organization's progress and key values essential at Dark. ✅ Going straight to system tests : The first test campaign used an advanced configuration, including regenerative cooling channels, co-swirl injectors, and a thin structure. The validation of multiple advancements at once showcases the engineering approach's effectiveness: a systemic break-down of the problem supported by fine scientific quantification of the underlying physics. It bypassed intermediate tests, saving time and reducing costs. The combustion chamber shows flight-like performances. ✊ Discipline in adversity: A two-week campaign leaves no room for hesitation. Despite an initial test failure, the team displayed resilience and rational decision-making. Within three days, they identified and quantified the issue, adapted the test sequence, and prepared a new setup, maintaining the campaign's momentum. This disciplined execution was crucial in completing all necessary tests within the challenging time frame. 🎯 Precision: The configuration achieved near-perfect combustion efficiency, with minimal deviations from the developed numerical models. Such accuracy is important for Interceptor's mission, where precision translates into operational safety and increased mission range. Achieving this success with flying colors is the logical outcome of the path the team set - methodology and execution shape the results you achieve. While there is still work to be done to reach Interceptor, the organization has demonstrated its capability to handle the challenges ahead. The SHEITAN program is only the first of many, and we anticipate more outstanding results in the future. There’s still room to join us if you wish to be part of our journey 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRJpGUQ8

🔥 SHEITAN: 99.4% combustion efficiency! 🔥 Dark team successfully completed our first cryogenic test campaign at German Aerospace Center (DLR), achieving first-class results in combustion efficiency. It validates our engine combustion chamber requirements, enabling the future INTERCEPTOR’s missions and challenging state-of-the-art testing methodologies. 🔳 Advanced testing configuration: ▪ Developed hardware that closely mirrors the flight design to maximize learning from our first cryogenic test campaign. ▪ Validated performance and features of our high-pressure, supercritical, co-swirl configuration, including ISP and Thrust using a sea level nozzle; Regenerative cooling performance with supercritical LCH4 injection; Ignition without engine chill-down; Throttling from 45 to 100%; and Chugging exploration; Liner reusability (cycling ignitions). 🔳 Key highlights: 💠 Combustion efficiency: achieved efficiency ranging from 98.2% at 50 bar to 🔥99.4% at 80 bar🔥. 💠 Combustion stability: maintained /- 0.9% pressure stability at flight conditions. 🔳 Key times from our 2-week hot fire testing: ▪ T1: first combustion chamber had a hard ignition (picture in comment). ▪ T3: successfully ignited our engine at low pressure, experimented with chugging, and stabilized the combustion. ▪ T6: achieved a sequence including low-pressure ignition and throttability, culminating in our best-in-class run only five days after T1 💥. Throttling tested at 50, 60, 70, and 80 bar. 🔳 Dark’s numerical models: This campaign is a testament to Dark’s in-house methodology. Our numerical models are central to system engineering: their representativity highlights our efforts and will to improve our design through test correlations: ▪ Deviation from numerical twin to average pressure at cooling system inlet: 1.0% ▪ Deviation from numerical twin temperature change of coolant: 6.6% --- Special thanks go to the team at German Aerospace Center (DLR) for their support during this test campaign and to CNES for their trust and contractual support. We also extend our gratitude to our suppliers MMB VOLUM-e, Swagelok, AENIUM Kistler Group, PM instrumentation, ERCIAT, Aubert & Duval. And finally: congratulations to the Dark Team! CC: DGA - Direction générale de l'armement, Direction Générale des Entreprises, Ministère des Armées, Ministère de l’Économie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté industrielle et numérique, Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche Camera set-up : GoPro 10 ND 64 filter / No post-production except logo and pressure indicator.

🔥Exciting News: SHEITAN is Live!🔥 One year after our orbital propulsion tests at ONERA - The French Aerospace Lab our team is now conducting a cryogenic test campaign on our main engine combustion chamber at German Aerospace Center (DLR). In a few runs we’ve achieved key milestones and up to 98.7% combustion efficiency. SHEITAN uses thin-wall combustion chamber (flight-like design), LCH4 regenerative cooling, and coaxial swirl injection. Our team continues to run the tests, optimizing performance and uncovering the characteristics of supercritical and high-throttability operations. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress through this thrilling test campaign. In the meantime, check out these two stunning pictures of our setup! #Aerospace #Propulsion #Cryogenics CC : German Aerospace Center (DLR), CNES, Direction Générale des Entreprises, DGA - Direction générale de l'armement

🔥Exciting News: SHEITAN is Live!🔥 One year after our orbital propulsion tests at ONERA - The French Aerospace Lab our team is now conducting a cryogenic test campaign on our main engine combustion chamber at German Aerospace Center (DLR). In a few runs we’ve achieved key milestones and up to 98.7% combustion efficiency. SHEITAN uses thin-wall combustion chamber (flight-like design), LCH4 regenerative cooling, and coaxial swirl injection. Our team continues to run the tests, optimizing performance and uncovering the characteristics of supercritical and high-throttability operations. Stay tuned for more updates as we progress through this thrilling test campaign. In the meantime, check out these two stunning pictures of our setup! #Aerospace #Propulsion #Cryogenics CC : German Aerospace Center (DLR), CNES, Direction Générale des Entreprises, DGA - Direction générale de l'armement

Had an inspiring time at the 7th International Workshop on Debris Modelling & Remediation hosted by CNES! 🚀 We discussed the critical need for agile solutions to safeguard and secure our space infrastructures. A big thank you to all the participants, especially Astroscale and Magellium, for their dedication to the challenge of space debris remediation. Looking forward to seeing how our collective efforts will shape the future of space safety! 🌌 #SpaceInnovation #DebrisRemediation #SpaceSafety CC: NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Pierre Omaly, Stephen Hobbs, Dr. Ugur GUVEN, Clyde Laheyne

We just completed our first 2024 recruitment batch for the Hades programme! ✅ We can't wait to welcome our new team members on board 🎇 🚀 Thanks to everyone who applied and to our recruitment team for their hard work and diligence during this process. As we prepare for the next batches in August 🗓 , we are still open for spontaneous applications. Check here to join our #Electronics ⚡ #Propulsion 🔥 or #Software 💻 department 👉 https://bit.ly/3Qd6Fqp #hiring #recruitment #dark

💫💫💫 We're going to SPACE! 💫💫💫 Following our Sheitan program 🔥, we're thrilled to unveil our new development phase - the HADES program🧭. We've just completed the SRR, a major milestone regarding our architecture, mission requirements, and compliance with the regulations. A heartfelt thanks to our partners and advisors across the industry and institutions for their help! 🙏 Interceptor involves a series of programs aimed at advancing the TRL 💻 and MRL 🏭 of the technological components unlocking unscheduled and faster space operations. With an initial focus on ground demonstrations through the Sheitan program, we're now transitioning to orbital demonstrations with HADES by 2026✨ . HADES will showcase in-orbit detection, rapid proximity operations, and controlled re-entry, marking a pivotal progress towards Interceptor's ultimate mission: addressing threats in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) within 24 hours! Join us on this extraordinary journey by applying to our new job positions here: https://lnkd.in/gCZP4y2K Présidence de la République, DGA - Direction générale de l'armement, CNES, Direction Générale des Entreprises, Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile, ONERA - The French Aerospace Lab, German Aerospace Center (DLR), NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration