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Thermal Hardware

MLI – Multi Layer Insulation

As one stop provider we develop and deliver tailor-made multilayer-insulations (MLI) for all types of spacecrafts. Our scope includes thermal design, definition of layer architecture, CAD-design incl manufacturing drawings, production, characterization of thermal performance and acceptance testing.

In case of request, our MLI-teams are traveling to the Customer’s site for the integration of the finished blankets onto the dedicated flight hardware: efficiency, flexibility and speed “on demand”.

Either HPS-Germany or HPS-Romania can be chosen as direct subcontractor to the Customer, depending on the selection criteria such as vicinity, language, geo-return, or long-term partnerships. Both entities provide related heritage in management, product assurance, system-engineering, design and final integration, which leads to a high degree of redundancy in case of work load peaks. The manufacturing of the single blankets itself is mainly performed by HPS-Romania. Additional partnerships are applied on request.  With the perfect combination of our engineering resources, cost effectivity, highly modern cleanroom manufacturing capacities and quick reaction times, “MLI made by HPS” has conquered a steady growing market share for institutes, SME, Midcaps and LSI.

Our current core business area is

Instrument MLI and Small Sat MLI

Cleanliness Class ISO8 as standard. Please contact us directly if higher classes are needed.

About MLI

Multilayer insulation (MLI) is a type of high-radiative-performance insulator which uses multiple transfer barriers to block the heat flow (see scetch below). The internal layers (radiation barriers) are usually thin polymer or polyimide films with typically VDA (vapor-deposited aluminium) on both sides. The Outer Layers are mainly individual coated films like with gold, one side aluminium or even without any coating. 

MLI-Layers

Legend:

  • Outer Layer: The Layer which is facing towards Space/Environment
  • Inner Layer: The Layer which is facing towards the Structure
  • Internal Layers: The Layers which are between the Inner and Outer Layer.
  • Spacer: The Separations which are between each Layer.

For further information please contact us (thermal@hps-gmbh.com) or directly our subsidiary HPS Romania (office@hps-srl.ro).

SUCCESS TRAJECTORY ⟶

Thermal Hardware

Classic MLI

MLI integrated on OHB ESA Payload

HIVE Instrument

MLI Antenna vibration test

H2KAR Reflector

Reference equipment examples with Classic-MLI, for which HPS has been selected as MLI-supplier:

  • EUCLID Antenna Reflector Assembly „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of EUCLID mission, launched in 2023)
  • H2KAR Reflector „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of H2NBA Antenna onboard SatCom Satellite Heinrich Hertz, launched 2023)
  • HERA Antenna „HPS-DE Prime“ (launched onboard HERA satellite in 2024)
  • HIVE Instrument „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of SkyBee-1, to launched in 2025)
  • BANT2 Antenna „HPS-DE Prime“ (omni-use broadband antenna, launched in 2026)
  • Adler Antenna „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of German SatCom Bw 3 defence SatCom mission, launched in 2026)

Special Features of Classic MLI

Classic MLI is composed of a 1-side VDA as Outer Layer. The second surface mirror effect creates a good alpha/epsilon ratio (>1).

Because of its omni-use possibilities, Classic-MLI is one of the most visible MLI on spacecraft-level as well as on equipment, which is attached at the outer side of a spacecraft.

Typical material characteristics are:

Outer Layer Epsilon: approx. 0.7 [-]
Outer Layer Alpha: approx. 0.4 [-]
Temperature range: From cryogen up to +120° C (Standard) or up to 250° C
(see High Temperature MLI)
Performance (effective Emittance) at RT: approx. 0.03–0.01 [-]

Thermal Hardware

Vacuum Deposited Aluminium MLI (VDA)

Sentinel 4 (inner part)

VDA MLI Proba-3

Proba Instrument

Reference mission examples with VDA-MLI, for which HPS has been selected as MLI-supplier: 

  • Sentinel 4 Instrument, „HPS-DE Prime“, inner blankets (part of MTG mission, launched in 2025)
  • CLIM Instrument, “HPS-RO Prime”, inner blankets (part of ESA Copernicus CO2M Missions, launched 2026)
  • Proba 3 Optical Bench, “HPS-RO Prime”, inner blankets (launched in 2024)
  • Altius Spacecraft, “HPS-RO Prime”, inner blankets (launched in 2027)

Special Features of VDA MLI

MLI composed out of -side Vacuum Deposited Aluminium (VDA) films are mostly applied at internal parts of spacecraft and instruments such as for fuel tanks, batteries, electrical housings or structures, where only IR (infrared) is applicable.

VDA-MLI is also suitable for ground applications as cryogen insulation and for TVC (thermal vacuum chamber) tests. 

Typical material characteristics are:

Outer Layer Epsilon: approx. 0.05 [-]
Outer Layer Alpha: approx. 0.15 [-]
Temperature range: From cryogen up to +120° C (Standard) or up to 250° C
(see High Temperature MLI)
Performance (effective Emittance) at RT: approx. 0.03–0.01 [-]

Order a “Standard VDA MLI” now

You quickly need a lay-up for fast testing or trials? No problem, we can deliver you small amount of our Standard VDA MLI sheets for your own on-site configuration.

The characteristics of the blankets are:

All Layers Epsilon: approx. 0.05 [-]
All Layers Alpha: approx. 0.15 [-]
Temperature range: From cryogen up to +100° C
Effective Emissivity at RT: approx. 0.02 [-]
Edge fishing: 10x films with 9x Spacers in between
Perforation: Yes, all except of the Outer Layer
Material: Low Outgassing Aluminized (VDA) PET

In order to efficiently send you a quote without lengthy iterations, pls send us a respective request using the form below.

The minimum geometrical size is 100mm x 100mm, maximum standard size is 1000mm x 1000mm (Tolerances are +/- 1mm).

For further information please contact us (thermal@hps-gmbh.com) or directly our subsidiary HPS Romania (office@hps-srl.ro).

Order form

Thermal Hardware

Black MLI

Black MLI Sentinel-4 part of MTG Mission
Sentinel 4 Instrument (part of MTG Mission)
Black MLI eRosita-Mission

eRosita Instrument

Black MLI NOMAD-ExoMars2016-Mission
NOMAD Instrument (ExoMars2016)
Cheops Instrument

Reference mission examples with Black MLI, for which HPS has been selected as MLI-supplier:

  • NOMAD Instrument „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of ExoMars 2016, launched in 2016)
  • Cassis Instrument „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of ExomArs2016, launched in 2016)
  • eRosita Instrument „HPS-DE Prime“ (launched in 2019)
  • Cheops Instrument „HPS-DE Prime“ (launched in 2019)
  • FADA part of EnMAP Mission „HPS-Germany“ (launched in 2022)
  • Sentinel 4 Instrument „HPS-Germany“ (part of MTG mission, launched in 2025)
  • Shipas Instrument ( in 2026).

Special Features of Black MLI

Where ever it is necessary to a) keep the straylight to a minimum or b) EOL and BOL properties shall be the same, black Polyimides are selected as Outer layer.

Typical material characteristics are:

Outer Layer Epsilon: approx. 0.8 [-]
Outer Layer Alpha: approx. 0.9 [-]
Temperature range: From cryogen up to +120° C (Standard) or up to 250° C
(see High Temperature MLI)
Performance (effective Emittance) at RT: approx. 0.03–0.01 [-]

Thermal Hardware

MLI at Mechanisms

MLI at Mechanismus Cassis-Instrument

Cassis Instrument (rotating telescope)

EnMAP FADA (door hinge mechanism)

Reference mission examples with MLI at Mechanisms, for which HPS has been selected as MLI-supplier:
  • Cassis Instrument Mechanism „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of Exomars Mission, launched in 2016)
  • eRosita Instrument MLI around Hinges „HPS-DE Prime“ (launched in 2019)
  • EnMAP FADA Mechanism „HPS-DE Prime“ (launched in 2022)
  • H2KAR Reflector MLI around HDRMs „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of H2NBA Antenna onboard SatCom Satellite Heinrich Hertz, launched 2023)
  • CIMR Arm Hinge MLI „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of Copernicus-CIMR Mission, to be launched in 2029)

Special Features of Mechanism-MLI

MLI at mechanisms are always delicate because there is always a risk that the MLI can get into the moving parts and in the worst case the MLI blocks the mechanism. During the design phase, specific care has to be taken to create an optimum free zone between the moving parts. In some cases, the MLI needs to have a design with multilateral fixing points to ensure that it stays exactly and highly accurately in the designed envelope. HPS can look back on more than 10-years’ experience for such kind of mission-critical MLI-designs with 100% success rate. Typical material characteristics are as the Classic- , VDA- or Black MLI.

DSCN1821.mov

Thermal Hardware

High Temperature MLI

Nomad Instrument with the characteristic sewing at the edges for High Temperature MLI

Reference mission examples with High Temperature MLI, for which HPS has been selected as MLI-supplier:
  • NOMAD Instrument „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of ExoMars 2016, launched in 2016)
  • Cassis Instrument „HPS-RO Prime“ (part of ExomArs2016, launched in 2016)
  • Sentinel 4 Instrument „HPS-DE Prime“ (part of MTG mission, launched in 2025)

Special Features of High Temperature MLI

Where Standard Spacers are limited to temperatures up to 120°C, HT-MLI (High Temperature) is used where temperatures are possible up to 250°C. Application examples are missions with aero-breaking operations, missions with vicinity to hot planets or the sun. These high temperatures require special MLI-material, such as full Polyimide layers and tailored PEEK Spacers.

Remark: PEEK-Spacer material has been developed by HPtex, a joint-venture company of HPS-DE. The PEEK Spacer is capable for temperatures up to 250 °C and is made from a Mono filament. The HPtex knitting process is optimised in such a way that losing of particles during cutting or handling is minimised.

PEEK Spacer Datasheet

Typical material of the outer layer HT-foils provides the following characteristics:

Outer Layer Epsilon: Various, see Classic- , VDA- or Black MLI
Outer Layer Alpha: Various, see Classic- , VDA- or Black MLI
Temperature range: From cryogen up to +250° C
(see High Temperature MLI)
Performance (effective Emittance) at RT: approx. 0.03 -0.01 [-]