Dublin firm plays role in space missions

Dublin-based technology firm Skytek is set to play a major role in the future of space missions, with a new system that will take command of subsystems on the European Space Agency's laboratory, Columbus.

The Lapap (Laptop Application) MK II project, which Skytek has been collaborating on with Astrium in the German city of Bremen, has been in development for two years. It is expected to be deployed on the space station in a future shuttle mission.

"It's a real step forward for Skytek," said Dr Sarah Bourke, the firm's chief executive. "Our system will be commanding systems. It's basically taking control of systems - it's a huge thing for us."

The system will take command of the Columbus module's subsystems, using a graphical interface that has been developed on laptops and replaces the dials and switches that would previously have been used on the control systems.

Skytek already has a significant role in the mission: its International Procedure Viewer (iPV) technology has been used on the International Space Station (ISS) for the past two years to manage procedures for both routine tasks and more mission-critical events, such as space walks and repairing critical systems on the module.

On Sunday, Nasa was forced to postpone the launch of space shuttle Atlantis to January after technical difficulties. Two attempts to launch Atlantis were stymied by erratic fuel sensors, which are part of an emergency engine cutoff system.

Atlantis and its seven astronauts are due to deliver the Columbus science laboratory module to the space station.

Meanwhile, Skytek is expanding its reach. The company has already adapted the iPV technology for use in aircraft maintenance, and is working with Shannon Aerospace to implement it.

"It's very suited to highly regulated environments, where things need to be controlled and logged," said Dr Bourke.

"We knew there was a close link between space and aerospace industries."

Working with Lufthansa Technick, Skytek developed a system that links to the manuals that are legally required when carrying out work on aircraft. It also eliminates much of the paper generated by these tasks, by computerising the "job cards", which carry a list of tasks to be completed, and also by implementing digital signature for supervisors. The end result is instant, real-time information.

"It links in with their existing systems. It fits very comfortably and can interface with key systems," said Dr Bourke. "It's going to fundamentally change the way aircraft maintenance is done." - ( Additional reporting: Reuters)