CIMR-LDRS flagship project for European spacetech: The EQM in the making

CIMR-LDRS 8m-EQM Assembly-Story, Episode 2/12

October 2025

Recapping the first episode of our 12-part series, the CIMR mission is multi-hundred million euro ESA mission to measure sea-ice concentration, sea-surface temperature, sea-surface salinity, and more.
Our focus in the groundbreaking mission, is the Large Deployable Reflector Subsystem (LDRS) – a combination of complex state-of-the-art technologies, built by the best minds across Europe.

In today’s episode we will zero in on the day-to-day progress. Starting with the image on the upper right, release nuts from Glenair (which are used in HDRMs (Hold Down Release Mechanisms) to either keep space equipment stowed or to deploy it, have been procured and integrated into the HPS-Deployable Arm Isostatic HDRM (see upper left image). This isostatic HDRM will at some point be assembled onto the full DAA (Deployed Arm Assembly) of which one Arm Segment (see lower right image) has been through Thermal Vacuum Cycling at AAC in Wiener Neustadt (AT).
The lower left picture shows the arrival of the DRA harness built by VH&S (DE) at LSS premises (DE). This harness will connect the same Arm segment to the LSS-DRA (Deployed Reflector Assembly).

Stay tuned for more insider info as we observe and learn together how an ESA mission is realized.
HPS/LSS, 10.10.2025