SmartSENS: Intelligent manufacturing for European space sector

Fraunhofer IWU and AS Consulting have officially co-launched the SmartSENS project as part of the European Space Agency’s IMPROVE! program, aimed at giving smart manufacturing, intelligent logistics, and sustainability in the European space sector a strong push.

IMPROVE! promotes activities which enable a fully automatised and intelligent end-to-end value chain of Ariane 6 and P120C. IMPROVE! serves as flagship to identify and integrate mature trends of Smart Manufacturing technologies into the manufacturing landscape of the Ariane 6 program.

The initiative supports pioneering innovations in predictive maintenance, connected sensor networks, digital supply chain management, and sustainable production processes - with a particular focus on strategic components such as the Ariane  6 launcher and the P120C rocket motor.

Technologies from ABB, Brady, and Trusted A/S are seamlessly integrated into production and logistics workflows, combining identification, tracking, and condition monitoring into a unified system. ABB’s energy and vibration sensors are deployed on key production assets to monitor power consumption and assess the operational condition of equipment over time, supporting predictive maintenance and enhancing overall equipment effectiveness. Brady’s systems enable real-time asset traceability, while Trusted A/S’s T9 devices provide GPS tracking and environmental monitoring during transit.

As an innovative and forward-thinking pilot partner, MTA Augsburg plays a pivotal role in the early deployment and validation of the integrated sensor technologies within a real-world production environment. With a strong spirit of collaboration and a clear commitment to digital transformation, MTA Augsburg actively contributes its manufacturing expertise and openness to new technologies, making it the ideal demonstrator site for sensor integration and cross-industry innovation.

Facility-approved data from the MTA Augsburg pilot site is securely collected, processed, and transmitted to the central ESA monitoring and analytics platform. Reflecting MTA Augsburg’s proactive embrace of digital transformation, this data - covering aspects such as asset location, condition, and operational events - is shared via standardized interfaces to promote cross-site transparency, data-driven decision-making, and the scalable deployment of smart manufacturing technologies across Europe’s space industry, fully in line with the vision of IMPROVE!.

The insights and experience gathered during this pilot phase provide the foundation for a structured roll-out across additional European facilities, supporting the broader integration of smart tracking and sensor solutions into a wide range of industrial contexts.