Following the successful launch of Space X’s Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday, Aberdeen firm Rubberatkins can now proudly boast to having components they manufactured in orbit 485 miles above the earth.
Rubberatkins manufactured specialist elastomeric diaphragms for the propellant tanks used within the Iridium satellites which are responsible for mobile phone communication worldwide.
Nick Atkins, managing director of Rubberatkins commented: “It is exciting and rather cool to think that a component we manufactured here in Aberdeen is now in orbit above us. It is a great compliment for Rubberatkins employees to have been selected as a supplier for such an important satellite component based on our outstanding technical capabilities and quality.”
Rubberatkins has been successfully moulding these specialist diaphragms, responsible for separating the propellant, hydrazine from pressurised gas, for the past four years. Exacting Clean Room Manufacturing and Inspection are required to prevent material contamination.