We had a discussion on the Czech space sector with Richard Sysala, the Chief Executive Officer of ESC AEROSPACE s.r.o., a member of the esc Aerospace group with operations in the Czech Republic, Germany, and the United States.
As a company involved in system integration and product development, which specific product categories do you focus on, and which types of clients are your primary targets?
Celebrating 25 years in the industry, ESC AEROSPACE is a key player in the global satellite system integration market, providing a range of on-board subsystems through its three main product lines. These include redundant On-Board Computers (OBC), Multipurpose Drive Electronics (MDE), and Quantum Key Distributions (QKD). To introduce the products more – we supply the heart of the machine that receives, recalculates and stores, that is the on-board computer, then through instructions either pre-programmed or just received by various mechanisms (such as antennas, radiation shields, solar panels, thrusters, cameras or manipulators) on board moves, rotates, opens, rearranges or converts them into a hibernated mode. Thirdly, we supply the communication links to receive and transmit data both between the ground and the satellite and between the satellites themselves in orbit. The data transmission is secured connectivity on the very physical basis of quantum phenomena. For example, we are working on both European quantum satellites, QKDSat and Eagle-1. For all product lines, we supply EGSE/SCOE (electrical ground support equipment/spacecraft checkout systems) testers and flight software including its SVF (software validation framework) validators. Our additional offerings encompass monitors for radiation, chemical, and biological threats, as well as avionics for next-gen smart ammunitions, building upon our expertise in autopilot systems for unmanned vehicles. However, avionics itself and weapon systems are not under ESC AEROSPACE, but under its sister company ESC DEFENCE, which is exhibiting this year at EUROSATORY in Paris, for example.
With the Czech Republic emerging as a hub for European space activities, how does this development impact your operations, and what prospects does it present for your involvement in satellite assembly?
I will begin with a sense of excitement – witnessing the growth in our industry over the past thirty years fills me with joy! When I first entered the space sector, it was quite different. I consider myself part of the second generation of aerospace engineers in this country, the first to engage in this field privately, setting aside the historical context of World War II and before. The pioneers were the Academy of Sciences’ researchers with their Magion satellites, as well as those individuals from Czechoslovakia who found themselves in Western Europe in the late 1960s, never to return, and who made their mark in the space industry in countries like the UK or Germany. Then came my peers, the seventy-somethings. In the 1990s, the Czech aerospace and space industry was struggling, prompting me, a young engineer at that time, to seek opportunities in German-speaking countries. I might have gone to the USA, which was another possibility, but instead, our company was established in 1999 in Munich, and I have been managing its operations in the Czech Republic since 2006. Now, to address your question directly after a historical excursion – today, the volume of production in the space industry has grown exponentially compared to when we joined the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2007, and as a result, there is a surge of new, ambitious companies in the sector. As for ESC AEROSPACE, we have fulfilled several satellite assembly contracts, but being an integrator is quite challenging! Our most recent project was the LVICE2 satellite (Lunar VIcinity Complex Environmental Explorer), which is part of an audacious Czech mission to the Moon detailed in the book “The Battle for the Space of the Future Begins!” – a mission we were no less daring in integrating. Dealing with integration in the face of soaring costs is tough. Our company, based in Prague with offices in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the USA, and Asia, keeps a global watch on pricing to stay competitive. The potential for satellite assembly is vast; what is essential is capturing these opportunities and ensuring they are financially and technically viable. Building a satellite can span up to a decade – for instance, we spent 13 years on one instrument for the SOLAR ORBITER before its journey to the Sun. Contracts are typically fixed-budget and launch schedules on rockets can be postponed for years.
The space industry is the initiator of innovative solutions. How do you handle the process of innovation and work together with scientists from the Czech Republic?
ESC AEROSPACE is actively engaged in collaborations with numerous Czech academic and research institutions, as well as with international scientific entities in locations such as Vienna, Munich, and Berkeley. However, the question has two sub-questions – the second one concerns the innovation itself. Regarding innovation, it is primarily an internal company endeavour; we spearhead our own innovative processes, which serve as the key propellant for our company’s progress. The driving force behind this is the collective dedication of our engineers, clear objectives, and the bravery to venture beyond established boundaries. ESC AEROSPACE has already taken significant steps and has reached a point where the innovation of subsystems is at the forefront of our operations. We are hopeful that the Czech Republic, and by extension the European Union, aspires to cultivate strong industrial entities that are globally competitive and successful. The substantial challenge we encounter is to either close the gap or, at the very least, remain in close competition with American and Asian firms. This reflects the broader tension felt within not just the Czech, but the entire Central European business sector.
Regarding the control systems your company is working on, they also necessitate cybersecurity measures, which are essential for counter-drone systems. Have you achieved any milestones or developed any solutions in the area of cyber protection?
Indeed, much like the prophetic Pythia, we anticipated the evolution of unmanned systems. Our first UAV, equipped with our proprietary avionics, took to the skies in 2008, and by 2018 we had successfully deployed our first anti-drone system capable of intercepting enemy drones, with our colleagues in Florida playing a significant role in the development of these anti-drone systems. Prior to the escalation of conflicts, companies that produce these systems experienced no sales, leading to a stagnation in system innovation. This presents an opportunity for further development. Today, the emphasis is on cybersecurity, with a particular focus on network and cloud security. Data security is of paramount importance, especially secure communications in the satellite sector, which has also led to spin-off products for the terrestrial market where there is a significantly larger customer base. Components designed for the space industry often find applications in the everyday terrestrial environment. Products created by ESC AEROSPACE, whether manufactured in Europe, the USA, or Asia, contribute to cyber protection solutions. It will be the responsibility of my successors to ensure that this remains the case. So, as my grandfather would say, “Children, learn; there are already enough stupid ones out there” with a smile!
Thank you for the interview
