EANS-News: ItN Nanovation AG / Departure into New Worlds - Nanocoating by ItN Nanovation is flying to the Mercury

Collaboration within an ESA space mission
ItN Nanovation is
developing high performance coatings for the BepiColombo probe

Coating system must prove itself under extreme conditions

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Research & Development

Utl.: Collaboration within an ESA space mission ItN Nanovation is
developing high performance coatings for the BepiColombo probe
Coating system must prove itself under extreme conditions =

Saarbrücken (euro adhoc) - Saarbrücken - October 01, 2009. ItN
Nanovation AG (ISIN DE000A0JL461) with its high expertise and
successful work in the field of nanoscale coatings has been selected
to develop important thermal coatings for the BepiColombo Mercury
probe of the European space agency ESA and JAXA, the Japanese Space
Agency. The coating is designed to be applied on the high gain
antenna of the satellite. ItN Nanovation is cooperating with the
antenna reflector contractor, the Astrium GmbH, a subsidiary of EADS,
and with Thales Alenia Space Italy responsible of the overall
Antenna.

The coating is exposed to extreme conditions during the mission which
is planned to last about seven years: in cruise and subsequently in
the orbit of the Mercury with very high UV-, electron- and proton
radiation at temperatures above 400°C. Mercury is the planet closest
to the sun with an average distance to the sun of ca. 58 million
kilometres. The farthest distance to Earth is approximately 220
million kilometres. The UV radiation in the orbit of Mercury is 10 to
14 times higher than in the orbit of planet Earth and is causing
severe deterioration of the thermal properties of conventional
coatings. First tests with ItN Nanovation coatings under space
conditions showed a good stability after high UV-irradiation.

The ESA´s BepiColombo mission is going to be realized by an
international consortia under the leadership of Astrium GmbH,
Friedrichshafen. It is scheduled to be launched in 2014. After
travelling for about six years the satellite will enter Mercury orbit
to explore the planet for at least one year. Among several
investigations (e.g. investigations in the magnetosphere of Mercury),
BepiColombo will establish a complete map of Mercury at different
wavelengths. This will allow to map the planet's mineralogy and
elemental composition and determine whether the interior of the
planet is molten or not. Dr. Ralph Nonninger, CTO of ItN Nanovation
and responsible for research and development is commenting: "We are
proud that we can participate in such a demanding space mission and
that we have been chosen by Astrium GmbH as developing partner for
the coating system of the high gain antenna. The assignment as
development partner underlines once more - besides the economical
implications for ItN Nanovation - the capability of our products and
the high international reputation of our enterprise."

For further information, please visit:
http://www.esa.int
and
http://sci.esa.int/

Further inquiry note:
ItN Nanovation AG
Untertürkheimer Straße 25
66117 Saarbrücken
Tel.: +49 (0) 681/50 01-460
Fax: +49 (0) 681/50 01-499
E-Mail: info@itn-nanovation.com
www.itn-nanovation.com

Investor Relations Contact:
edicto GmbH
Mr. Axel Mühlhaus
Zeißelstr. 19
60318 Frankfurt am Main
Tel.: 069-90 55 05-52
Fax.: 069-90 55 05-77
Email: amuehlhaus@edicto.de

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ots Originaltext: ItN Nanovation AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Nicole Poulain

Telefon: +49(0)681 5001-480

E-Mail: nicole.poulain@itn-nanovation.com

Branche: Technology
ISIN: DE000A0JL461
WKN: A0JL46
Index: CDAX
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