Research. Development. Space Technology.
Technical Publications
Insights & Events
Explore our technical publications, conference papers and engineering insights from more than two decades of innovation in space propulsion, fluid management systems and precision aerospace components. Our publications provide a closer look at the technologies, development processes and qualification programs that support reliable space missions around the world.
If you want to meet us in person, have a look at the upcoming events.
AST Newsroom
AST Space Components provide the building blocks for reliable spacecraft propulsion and fluid management systems. Each component is engineered for high reliability, leak-tight performance and long operational life.
Manufacturing
Scaling Space Production: Quadrupling Our Thermal Test Capacity
With the delivery of a second new thermal test chamber, AST has quadrupled its thermal testing capacity — a key milestone in scaling reliable serial production of space hardware to industrial volumes.
Thermal Testing
Serial Production
Space Manufacturing
Published: 2026
Events
Live at Space Propulsion Conference 2026
The AST team is on site at the Space Propulsion Conference 2026 in Bari, Italy — visit us at Booth 42 to explore our heritage flow solutions for electric propulsion, with >1,600 valves already in orbit.
Space Propulsion Conference
Electric Propulsion
Serial Production
Published: 2026
Product Launch
AST SpaceValves – Ready for Space Propulsion Conference 2026
AST introduces the new SpaceValves portfolio at SPC 2026 — a modular line of mono-stable isolation, latching, and manual valves built on flight-proven elements for gaseous space propulsion systems.
SpaceValves
Electric Propulsion
New Products
Published: 2026
Conference Papers
Peer-reviewed technical papers authored by AST engineers and researchers, presenting advances in spacecraft propulsion, flow control, and measurement technology.
Product Design Concepts
High Pressure Flow Control Units for Electric Propulsion Modules
AST's HP-FCU delivers a compact, scalable flow control and pressure regulation system for electric propulsion modules, already deployed in hundreds of systems in LEO. This paper presents the qualification status of the upgraded HP-FCU 2.0 for krypton operation above 300 bar MEOP.
Flow Control
Electric Propulsion
Serial Production
Published: 2024
Product Design Concepts
Serial Production of Space Components for Megaconstellations
AST presents its production line for up to 600 flight units per year using building block technology and design-for-manufacturing principles for megaconstellation programs such as OneWeb.
Serial Production
Megaconstellations
Manufacturing
Published: 2021
Product Design Concepts
Building Blocks for EP Propellant Management Systems
AST presents a set of pre-qualified modular building blocks for electric propulsion propellant management systems, enabling rapid and cost-effective system design from LEO constellations to complex planetary missions.
Propellant Management
Electric Propulsion
Building Blocks
Published: 2022
Product Design Concepts
Advances on Cost-Optimized High-Pressure Flow Control Unit within the HIPATIA Project
Within the EU H2020 HIPATIA program, AST develops a cost-optimized propellant flow control unit for the Helicon Plasma Thruster, presenting flow characterization results and a building-block design for the engineering qualification model.
Flow Control
Helicon Plasma Thruster
HIPATIA
Published: 2022
Product Design Concepts
Propellant Management Units for Electric Propulsion Thrusters in Series Production and in Update for New Applications
With over 600 flight units in orbit, AST presents the production status of its HP-FCU alongside new developments including redundant pressure regulators for the ESA Mars Sample Return mission and a high-pressure krypton-capable upgrade.
Propellant Management
Pressure Regulation
Flow Control
Published: 2022
Product Designs and Development
uFCU - A Miniaturized Flow Control Unit for Xenon
AST developed the uFCU, a 62 g miniaturized xenon flow control unit using solenoid valves in pulse-width modulation and a flow path board with integrated microchannels, supporting flow ranges from 0.01 to 100 sccm.
Flow Control
Xenon
Electric Propulsion
Published: 2013
Upcoming Events, Trade Fairs
& Conferences
Would you like to meet AST in person? Here you can find an overview of upcoming events, trade fairs and conferences where AST will be present.
