Comtech simplifies complex component parts selection for key missions in space.
Component parts management and a robust supply chain are vital for satellite and rocket construction and overall mission success. Ensuring the right microelectronics are secured, inspected, and flight certified is increasingly important as the number of launches has jumped dramatically in recent years.
The rising launch cadence and continued chokehold on supplies has put an unprecedented strain on the availability of mission-critical parts. With more frequent launches and missions, a constant stream of available Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (“EEE”) components is often needed to meet demanding program schedules.
Supply chain constraints and long lead times have made it critical for users to have a robust plan in place to ensure the timely receipt of materials for their build. Today, lead times in the one-to-two-year range are becoming increasingly common.
In today’s space environment, these tiny components have become more important than ever before. They can’t be an afterthought, as they are key building blocks for almost all major missions.
When it comes to space, every component, regardless of size, is critical and plays a central role in the outcome of current and future space missions. Comtech has provided comprehensive parts procurement and supply chain management for space-bound customers around the world since 1976. New and traditional space companies and mission operators have come to rely on Comtech’s differentiated expertise in critical space mission component management.
Keep Your Eye on the Mission
For nearly five decades, Comtech has provided a wealth of microelectronics expertise. Today, some of the most demanding space organizations, including NASA and the Department of Defense, are continuing to rely on Comtech for management of critical space components.
There are many considerations when making component selections to help ensure the success of the design of a space-based system. Size, weight, power efficiency, processing power, radiation tolerance, and mission life are among the key characteristics that factor into components procurement.
Typically, a mission will require builders to manage dozens of suppliers and thousands of parts. A space company can opt to go direct to manufacturers and manage every stage of ordering, procuring, testing, certifying, and delivering components.
Space component management, however, will require extensive time and resources to select and evaluate each and every part to ensure a level of trust in every component – since the success of a mission is riding on that individual part.
How do you focus on component management and remain focused on launching your mission? It’s a question many Comtech customers have asked and have had answered over the years. The Comtech Space and Component Technology team is constantly and consistently reviewing, updating, and researching potential parts and supply chain trends across the planet to help ensure customers have the right components at the right time—keeping the program on track and setting the mission up for success.
Today, the Comtech Space and Component Technology team is a trusted end-to-end microelectronics provider. Some of the company’s key space component capabilities include:
- Tracking and managing each individual customer’s supply chain
- Securing and tracking component customer purchase orders
- Conducting onsite parts inspections at the manufacturing plants
- Troubleshooting manufacturing issues
- Receiving components on behalf of customers and reinspecting parts prior to delivery
- And providing a high-level of quality control at every phase of the process
The Comtech team is instrumental in helping a variety of customers with their space component management as well as navigating the risks involved with using and considering different grades or levels of components to support unique mission requirements.
Space Can’t Wait
Comtech has traditional and new space components customers around the world. These customers rely on Comtech’s forward-thinking, unique, and collaborative approach to ensure components are trusted and delivered within an increasingly demanding timeframe.
Recent success stories include a new space company that came to Comtech to secure delivery of the components they needed for a new system design. They were facing a 42-month parts delay, when Comtech began managing their overall components selection process – from selection and supply chain management to deployment.
The Comtech team found an alternative part that was in stock and available in just a few weeks to meet the customer’s critical production requirements.
Thanks to Comtech’s help, that propulsion company has become a longtime partner that continues to look to Comtech for trusted components selection, procurement, and quality assurance. Their business is riding in many ways on Comtech’s consistent ability to deliver turn-key components with a proven track record of success.
Comtech understands just how critical the right components are for every mission the company supports. The right part can be a game changer for spacecraft builders and mission operators – often the difference between a successful mission and one that falls short.
As technology advances and demands for smaller, lighter, and more efficient spacecraft grow, the importance of microelectronics and Comtech’s differentiated space component management expertise will continue to play a central role in overall mission success.
While these may be tiny components, they are key enablers of missions that are making a major impact around the globe. For more information about Comtech, visit www.comtech.com.
