Waygate Technologies Supports TROLL Satellite Quality Assurance

Pushing the Boundaries of Non-Destructive Testing in Space Technology

At Waygate Technologies, we are proud to support the next generation of space innovation through our advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions. One recent milestone highlights this perfectly: our indirect involvement in the quality assurance process of a critical component for the Czech space satellite TROLL, launched by TRL Space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 in January 2025.

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The LLD assembly, produced using cutting-edge metal 3D printing by One3D, is an integral part of the satellite’s hyperspectral camera system. Unlike traditional cameras, hyperspectral cameras capture information across dozens of spectral bands, allowing scientists to detect minute differences in chemical composition, moisture, vegetation health, and pollution levels from orbit.

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Before the component could be deemed space-ready, the tomography laboratory at the Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) performed detailed internal inspections using advanced computed tomography. The Phoenix V|tome|x technology from Waygate Technologies was a key enabler of this precision. Our high-resolution 3D imaging allowed scientists to detect potential flaws within the aluminum component—down to inclusions in the micrometer range.

What they found was encouraging: no critical pore-type defects were present. Minor inclusions, visible only under CT, were detected in a threaded region and analyzed for material density. This level of inspection ensures the reliability of sensitive equipment in the harsh environment of space, where failure can be critical.

This project demonstrates how Waygate Technologies empowers and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on Earth and beyond.