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When sourcing fluid control components for satellite systems, engineers must look beyond the datasheets to understand how their chosen suppliers build consistency and reliability into every part. This requires a deeper dialogue… one that explores the supplier’s experience, manufacturing capabilities, and ability to deliver dependable component performance across the full lifecycle of a mission.
A comprehensive supplier evaluation should consider these six essential questions:
Reliability in orbit starts with experience on the ground – both in the components you select and the suppliers behind them. A “flight-proven” component is generally considered more reliable than one that has not yet been demonstrated in orbit. But reliability in this context isn’t just a matter of reputation; it can be quantified and validated through several key metrics and indicators.
One such metric is the Technical Readiness Level (TRL), a standardized system used to assess the maturity of a technology[ ]. TRLs range from level 1, representing basic principles observed, to level 9, indicating a system that has been successfully flown in space. Each level corresponds to specific development and testing milestones. Components with high TRLs have a proven track record in space or analogous environments, increasing confidence in their reliability overall.
Another important measure is the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), which quantifies the expected operational uptime of a component or system before a failure occurs. A higher MTBF indicates greater reliability. For example, integrating a high quality last-chance safety screen filter into your system, using restrictors with larger minimum passages, or incorporating redundant check valves in a quad box can reduce failure rates and minimize the risk of downstream contamination – ultimately increasing the MTBF of the entire system.
Beyond metrics, reliability can also be demonstrated through a supplier’s experience and track record. Satellite designers should feel confident that their chosen suppliers have supported comparable missions, solved similar challenges, and can deliver tested solutions that work. Reliable components start with smart design. Ideally, your supplier should be able to back up assertions with solid data that shows how their parts perform under a variety of conditions.
A supplier familiar with the unique demands of the space industry can further enhance the reliability of your satellite. Supporting your mission means more than delivering products. It requires a supplier with the insight to address today’s challenges and help you prepare for what’s next. The right partner will not only understand the systems, materials, and fluids you work with, but can also respond quickly to evolve with your needs – whether that means adapting to new materials, architectures, or next-generation satellite applications.
Satellites rely on a wide range of specialized fluids and materials. Inert gases, for example, are used for many electric and ion-based propulsion systems. Reactive fluids are often used in chemical propulsion systems. Within the satellite, these fluids will interact with exotic materials that have been chosen for their ability to withstand the extreme thermal, chemical, and mechanical stresses of space.
Operating in space requires materials and fluids capable of withstanding extreme conditions. Incompatibility can lead to corrosion, degradation, or even hazardous chemical reactions that can compromise safety and performance. Whether your system uses hydrogen, oxygen, or more reactive propellants, material compatibility remains a strong predictor of reliability overall. All components in your satellite should be engineered to survive and operate dependably once in orbit.
Careful selection and handling of fluid control component materials help ensure that critical subsystems within the satellite remain dependable throughout the mission. Suppliers should demonstrate a deep understanding of fluid-material interactions and be able to deliver components that align with the specific materials and fluids used in your application.
Quality standards can influence every stage of the design process, from how you source materials for parts to how the components that make up your satellite are assembled and tested.
You’re likely already familiar with industry-standard aerospace quality certifications such as AS9100, and routinely incorporate them into your supplier evaluation protocols and internal manufacturing processes. A component supplier that follows aerospace quality standards ensures that parts are rigorously tested and qualified to perform reliably in the harsh conditions of space.
Equally vital to quality is traceability, or the ability to track and document the origin, movement, and use of parts, materials, and processes throughout the entire lifecycle of a product. This level of visibility is essential for ensuring safety, upholding quality standards, meeting regulatory requirements, and managing risk with confidence. A reliable supplier should offer complete traceability along with thorough qualification data. This ensures that each component is fully documented and verified against demanding performance criteria.
Together, quality standards and traceability help to secure mission success and long-term reliability for your satellite.
Component testing helps engineers confirm the reliability of their system before a satellite ever leaves Earth.
For fluid control components, a variety of tests are used to validate performance under mission-specific pressures, temperatures, and flow rates.
These tests can include:
Beyond identifying flaws, testing verifies that components perform within designated tolerances. The data gathered during testing also feeds back into the design and manufacturing process, supporting continuous improvement and higher quality standards.
By centralizing testing or working closely with trusted partners, satellite engineers can maintain a clear chain of command and ensure that every component meets the highest standards required for mission success. A supplier who can provide a well-documented and centralized testing practices helps maintain clear accountability. When issues arise, having a traceable testing history makes it easier to pinpoint the source and implement corrective actions quickly to reduce the risk of in-orbit malfunctions.
Reliable satellite performance is shaped not just by the components themselves, but by the ecosystem of support surrounding them. The most dependable satellite systems are backed by suppliers who bring deep expertise in design and a proactive commitment to helping you solve any challenge. Collaboration with such suppliers can help to improve processes, mitigate risk, and promote further design innovation.
This is especially critical for New Space companies, who face tight timelines and limited funding windows. To meet aggressive performance milestones, they depend on fast, detailed technical support. Continuous communication is essential. A supplier who engages early and often can help you anticipate challenges, refine your system architecture, and develop solutions that address both current and future mission requirements for your satellite.
When evaluating a supplier, consider the following questions:
A supplier with a broad portfolio of flight-qualified components, strong engineering support, and the ability to modify standard components to your mission-specific needs can significantly accelerate your development timeline, reduce risk, and increase the overall reliability of your systems.
In this New Space economy, speed matters. Increased demand for satellite launches has compressed development timelines and raised expectations for rapid iteration. Long lead times can derail development cycles and delay launches, forcing teams to reallocate resources or redesign around unavailable components.
The ability to scale means maintaining quality across a variety of production volumes. A component that performs flawlessly in a prototype must also do the same across hundreds or thousands of units, often with minimal time between design and delivery. This becomes even more critical in high volume satellite programs, such as commercial constellations, where dozens or hundreds of satellites may be built in parallel. If component quality drifts as production volumes increase, the risk compounds across the fleet.
Suppliers that maintain a robust and resilient inventory of standard components and leverage automated manufacturing processes can reduce lead times and help your team avoid costly delays. When evaluating a supplier, it’s not enough to ask whether they can meet your current needs. You also need to understand whether their production systems, quality controls, and logistical infrastructure can grow with your mission – whether that means scaling up to support a constellation or pivoting quickly to accommodate a design change.
Ultimately, a supplier’s ability to scale is a strong indicator of their ability to deliver reliable performance at any volume. When manufacturing processes are repeatable and well-controlled, they reduce variability and risk.
We make it our mission to solve the toughest fluid control problems in the galaxy.
With over 75 years of engineering excellence and a rich heritage in spaceflight, our solutions are trusted by engineers worldwide. We’ve delivered more than 500,000 certified parts that have supported a wide range of space missions. Chances are we already have the flow control solution you need. If not, our engineers can tailor our COTS components to meet your specific requirements without driving up costs or lead times.
Standard Lee parts are designed for the cycles needed for a successful mission – whether thousands or millions. Our components are made in the U.S. and export-ready, backed by proven licensing support for ITAR, EAR, and global compliance. Every component undergoes 100% functional testing under our AS9100-certified aerospace quality system to guarantee performance. Our rigorous development and revalidation protocols help further eliminate risk when failure is not an option. Lee engineers collaborate directly with customers on an engineer-to-engineer level, leveraging our global reach to support innovation through local technical expertise.
Selecting a fluid control supplier for your satellite? We’re ready with the parts (and people) you need to power tomorrow’s technology. Explore our satellite component supplier evaluation checklist or connect with a Lee Sales Engineer today.
Sources:
Always verify flow calculations by experiment.
*There are many parameters to consider when determining V-Factor. Click here for more information.
