Heatself, a Norman SME based in Saint-Saëns in Seine-Maritime, has established itself as a key player in the field of thermal solutions for the space industry. The company is acclaimed for its self-regulating heating elements, a valuable asset for the thermal regulation of satellites in collaboration with major players such as Thales Alenia Space, CNES and ESA. Thanks to conclusive trials, the company is now opening up to other sectors such as defense and health.
The SME designs and manufactures products capable of adjusting their electricity consumption according to the temperature of the environment. It has an integrated laboratory to monitor its innovations and adapt its technologies to the specific needs of the industry. Recently, the company successfully completed a contract for CNES, aimed at maintaining a stable temperature inside satellites subject to extreme thermal variations.
Aerospace success
Heatself’s products offer a crucial advantage: they make it possible to regulate the temperature of a satellite without the need for electronic control, thus reducing the mass of the satellite and increasing its payload. Tests conducted with Thales Alenia Space confirmed that this technology meets the rigorous requirements of space, particularly in terms of resistance to radiation and thermal gradients. Heatself has even incorporated recycled materials, attesting to its commitment to sustainable innovation.
At the same time, the company also completed a study for the ESA concerning the thermal management of satellite propulsion lines, demonstrating its ability to create materials whose properties vary according to temperature, again without the need for electronics. These technical advances pave the way for military and medical applications, where precise and autonomous thermal regulation systems could meet urgent needs.
New perspectives in health
The company’s director, Philippe Paul-Bert, is particularly considering applications for maintaining the temperature in incubators for premature newborns or for relieving the symptoms of diseases like Raynaud’s. In the military field, these technologies could improve the thermal comfort of combatants and police officers in extreme environments.
Finally, Heatself completed the “Secure Hop” project, launched by Airbus and supported by the Normandy Region, for the creation of ultra-resistant temperature sensors for fire monitoring of aircraft engines. The sensors, based on metal alloys, can detect temperatures of more than 1000°C and enhance aircraft safety. The SME continues to develop these sensors to reach full technological maturity.
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