Expertise in Space Technology and Rocket Propulsion Systems

Consulting engineering heritage and experience in space technologies for rocket launchers and spacecraft and associated business development.

 

Overview of Experience

With over 40 years experience in space technology, the company founder, Hartwig Ellerbrock is a leading expert in launch vehicle rocket propulsion and satellite propulsion systems. He has proven industrial achievements in program management, business development, revenue growth and strategy, strategy development, and the management and leading of interdisciplinary teams for innovative solutions to complex and often ambiguous challenges.

 

As well as lecturing at the Munich University of Applied Sciences, Hartwig is providing support to start ups, SME's and new business ventures with his expertise and knowledge in space propulsion, funding sources, agency and corporate contacts.

 

1. NASA JPL Galileo  Mission

The propulsion system that powered the Galileo spacecraft on its tour around the solar system was provided to NASA JPL by the German Government. This propulsion system was designed and tested at Lampoldshausen, Germany in 1985. More about Galileo

 

2. TDF / TVSat 1, 2

Responsible for testing the 10 N thrusters and 400 N engine, including acceptance testing, qualification extension and Impulse bit evaluation.

More about TV-Sat 1,2

 

3. 3 kN Engine Development

Responsible for ESA ESTEC contract to develop a high thrust liquid propellant engine for performing Hohmann transfers also from perigee.

 

4. Aestus engine subscale, demonstrator scale and 20 kN missile engine testing

Starting with subscale testing in the 3 kN class and development of a unique design of a co-axial injector system. Design of the test setup for a 20 kN demonstrator, in parallel with developing a 20 kN engine for defence application with a swirl disk injector system.

 

5. Design of a high pressure cryogenic thrust chamber test facility P 3.2

1987 -1988 taking over the test team set-up and the finalisation of the construction and design of the P 3.1 rocket engine test facility in Lampoldshausen.

1988 - 1990 test team leadership and testing of Vulcain 1 thrust chamber development tests.

 

6. Project manager of the Vulcain 1 thrust chamber test activities during the development and qualification phase

 

7. Leading Task Force Manager for LH2/LOX Feed valve (1994 – 6 month)

 

8. Program Manager for Stage valve system A5 (Feed valve LHe valve) up to qualification acceptance and flight app 1994 - 1996

• resolution of in- line poppet valve challenges up to 1st article review for flight clearance and industrialisation.

 

9. Exploring hydrogen as a new energy source in a Start-Up mode (1995 – 1997)

• scenarios to build up H2 infrastructure – high level political lobbying in Germany.

• project manager: LH2 feed system for an aircraft system on board the Do-328 / Co-operation with Tupolev for the electrical pump.

 

10. Head of design to cost department (1997-1998)

• industrialisation of Ariane 5 production implementing design to cost.

• leading task force manager for valve reliability of the Ariane 5 roll control thrusters  - design and seal-seat changes / qualification.

 

11. Leading task force manager upper stage pressure regulator (1997)

• finalisation of qualification / 1st article review (1st flight clearance).

• transfer of the manufacturing from LUCAS (FR-Paris) to Raufoss (Norway).

 

12. Head of test -- Leading manager of all hot-firing test fields in Germany (1998 - 2002)

• concentration and reduction test fields in Germany from 4 sites to 2 sites.

• leader of all rocket engine testing in Germany (hypergolic, cryogenic).

• fuelling and flight propellant handling to all word-wide launch pads.

 

13. Head of launcher & in orbit propulsion sales / business development (2002 - 2008)

• sales and marketing of launcher and in-orbit propulsion systems & components world-wide.

• international customer network for Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Europe, USA, Canada, South America.

• company representative within the German Space (DLR) meetings and other agencies.
•  procurement activities (IPC- industrial Policy Meetings).

• on-line product portfolio and sales services.

 

14. Head of main department for Launcher & In Orbit Propulsion Strategy & Sales / Business development (2009 - 2015)

• strategy of propulsion system & products in terms of development, industrialisation, production.

• strategic decision to establish electric propulsion in engineering and AIT as a strategic propulsion line.

• support within R&D projects in technical design and realisation.

 

15. Head of institutional relations Americas - north & south America (2015 - 2018)

• marketing & sales of all French and German Arianegroup products in the US, Canada and South America.

• representative of all Air & Space conferences and exhibition shows. Establishment of networks (Satellite - Washington, Space-Symposium - Colorado Springs, AIAA- Propulsion & Energy, IAC, GELEX, ...)

 

16. Director of space exploration within the ArianeGroup (2018 - 2022)

• interface to ESA / NASA /JAXA relating to exploration activities involving the European Service Module, International Space Station and the preparation of Ariane 5/6 Launch services in exploration.

• close relationship with major exploration players in US, including LM, Boeing, NG, BO, Axiome, Voyager-Space. etc.

 

17. Engineering & Consulting office Manager

• support of start-up companies in business development, marketing & sales.

• customer contacts to international operation companies and partners.