Between market logic and mission assurance Drive systems for space The space sector was long a closed system with clearly defined rules. In this environment, maxon gained experience over many years. Today, this know‑how is equally relevant in “New Space.”
Space was governed for a long time by the principle of “mission assurance”: every mission must work on the first attempt. Errors are eliminated before launch. Meticulous tests, reviews, and redundancies are intended to mitigate every possible risk. In short: the chances of success are maximized on Earth before a rocket ever leaves the ground. The result of this approach: low vol- umes, but extensive testing and quality assurance of all delivered components. maxon has around 30 years of experi- ence in this environment and has built long‑term partnerships along the way. Space becomes a market The situation has changed significantly in recent years. In addition to estab- lished government organizations, pri- vate space companies have emerged.
The private actors in New Space take a different approach: no less demanding, but closer to the market. Costs are to be optimized, and development cycles are becoming faster. Mission assurance is replaced by an iterative approach: a rocket that does not reach its target is not a failure but a valuable source of data—following the premise “fly early, learn often.” The consequence: higher volumes and the expectation that de- velopment, testing, and production be much more tightly integrated. maxon’s role in New Space lies in combining mission‑assurance expertise with iterative development capability. The foundation is repeatable, modular platforms and differentiated risk man- agement. In space, old and new are not opposites—they drive progress on Earth and beyond.
→ Space‑proven drives for precise movements with minimal resources → Modular platforms for single missions and series applications in New Space → Balance between mission assurance and iteration for new market requirements
They have distinguished themselves with spectacular missions and innova- tions: reusable launch vehicles, satellite constellations, even plans for the colo- nization of Mars. And with the growing number of objects in orbit, also projects to clean up accumulating space debris.
30
© 2026 maxon. All rights reserved.
Made with FlippingBook Publishing Software