SENER SENTINEL-3 Flip Mirror Camera System
Custom Riverhawk Flex Pivots in ESA's Sentinel-3 Earth observation satellite
Riverhawk Company — New Hartford, NY
Overview
In 2009, SENER Engineering Group of Spain approached Riverhawk to develop a custom Flex Pivot for a satellite-based flip mirror camera system for the Sentinel-3 Earth observation satellite. The pivot required infinite-life performance at extreme angular deflection in the harsh environment of space. After exhaustive testing — including 50+ million cycles at high angles — the Riverhawk Flex Pivots were launched aboard Sentinel-3 in 2016 and confirmed operational on orbit.
Key Highlights
50M+ Cycle Life Test
Cycled at high angles for more than 50,000,000 cycles with excellent results
Infinite Life Design
Application required infinite-life performance by design — no wear-out mechanism
Space Environment
Withstands launch loads, vacuum, thermal cycling, and radiation of low Earth orbit
Custom Flex Pivot
Designed and built to SENER's requirements for extreme angular deflection
Launched 2016
Sentinel-3 confirmed operational after launch — Flex Pivots performing as designed
Ongoing Partnership
Success led to continued development of custom Flex Pivots for future SENER space programs
Application Background
Sentinel-3 is an ESA Earth observation satellite developed under the European Copernicus program. SENER, a Spanish engineering group, was responsible for the flip mirror camera system — a mechanism requiring precise, repeatable angular motion to direct light paths within the optical instrument. SENER selected Riverhawk's Free-Flex® Pivot technology because of its frictionless operation, infinite fatigue life, and suitability for the vacuum and thermal environment of space.
Custom Flex Pivot Development
The Riverhawk Flex Pivot was designed and built to SENER's specific requirements for extreme angular deflection, launch survival loads, and infinite life. Standard Free-Flex® Pivots operate to approximately ±15°; this application required deflection beyond standard ranges with no wear mechanism. The pivots were exhaustively tested at Riverhawk before delivery to Spain for SENER's own extended testing program.
Life Testing Results
Riverhawk conducted extended life testing beyond the standard scope: Flex Pivots were cycled at high angles for more than 50,000,000 cycles. Results were excellent — the pivots showed no degradation in performance or structural integrity. This validated the infinite-life design approach. Small alterations were made to simplify installation into the sub-system before the final flight hardware was prepared.
On-Orbit Success
Sentinel-3 was launched in 2016 with Riverhawk Flex Pivots aboard. Within weeks of launch, SENER confirmed to Riverhawk that the system was functioning as designed and the Flex Pivots were doing their job in orbit. The success of this application established Riverhawk as a supplier for future SENER space programs requiring custom flexural pivot solutions.
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