When the Artemis mission set off for the Moon, the focus was on one goal above all else: to return humans to the Moon after more than 50 years and to lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars. Less visible are the numerous companies whose components make such a flight possible in the first place. One of these is BUTTING.
For the European Service Module (ESM) of the Artemis mission, the family-run company from Knesebeck manufactured titanium fuel lines. The components were qualified, tested and approved for use in accordance with the project-specific specifications. They will perform a safety-critical function during the mission.
“A space project of this magnitude places the highest demands on materials, manufacturing and quality assurance. As project manager, I closely oversaw the technical implementation at BUTTING. The combination of many years’ experience, precise processes and close coordination between all parties involved was crucial,” explains Volker Gerdwilker, project manager at BUTTING.
BUTTING’s involvement in Artemis is by no means an isolated case. The company has been developing and manufacturing stainless steel and titanium components for the aerospace industry since the mid-1970s. The range of services extends from individual tubes to ready-to-install assemblies. Today, the company’s components are used, amongst other things, in Airbus aircraft, the Ariane space programme, spacecraft, and ground and test equipment.
Aerospace is regarded as one of the most technologically demanding industries worldwide. Long development cycles, comprehensive qualifications and documented processes characterise every project. For many years, the expertise gained in this field has also been applied by BUTTING to applications in the hydrogen, energy and process industries. As a result, customers benefit from manufacturing and materials expertise that has proven its worth under particularly demanding technical conditions.
“The aerospace sector is constantly evolving. New materials, new technologies and increasing requirements continually open up new possibilities. This dynamism shapes our work and provides important impetus for the further development of our manufacturing processes and products,” explains Richard Meinecke, Key Account Manager for Aerospace.
Today, around 50 colleagues at BUTTING work in the aerospace sector. They develop and manufacture components for international programmes whilst also applying their experience to new applications across a wide range of industries.
The Artemis mission therefore stands not only for humanity’s return to the Moon. It also demonstrates how technological developments from one of the world’s most demanding industries can be transferred to numerous other applications – and the contribution BUTTING has been making to this for almost five decades.
Technologies for tomorrow are born of experience.
Whether in aerospace, hydrogen, energy or the process industry – BUTTING looks forward to working with customers to realise challenging applications.
BUTTING – more than pipes – for a better quality of life
