Spaceflight Proven Key Technologies

Magnetron Sputtering and Vacuum Deposition in Clean Room

Roll-To-Roll Metallization Process

SQUID3's Roll-to-Roll (R2R) metallization process enables continuous, high-volume deposition of thin-film coatings onto flexible polymer substrates for demanding aerospace applications. Precise tension, plasma density, and vacuum conditions are maintained across the full web, ensuring uniform coatings yards after yards. This is what has made SQUID3 a trusted supplier to missions from LEO constellations to lunar exploration — flight-heritage quality delivered at mission-critical scale.

Silver Magnetron Sputtering

Silver Magnetron Sputtering deposits a thin, high-reflectance silver layer onto Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) substrates for passive spacecraft thermal control. A dense plasma confined within a magnetic field generates a stable flux of sputtered silver atoms that condense uniformly on the substrates to form a dense, defect-free film. The resulting Silver Coated FEP tape delivers exceptional solar reflectance and thermal emittance — the hallmark of reliable spacecraft thermal management.

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ITO Conductive Film Deposition

SQUID3's Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) deposition produces transparent conductive films that combine robust electrical conductivity with high optical transmission across the UV-Vis-NIR spectrum. Reactive sputtering lays down an ultra-thin ITO layer with precisely controlled sheet resistance, tuned to dissipate electrostatic charge without compromising thermo-optical performance. This enables effective ESD grounding on exterior surfaces of spacecraft from MLI to radiators.

Perforations

Precision perforation introduces controlled hole patterns into metallized films, delivering dual functionality for Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets.
Hole geometry and spacing are engineered to provide Z-axis electrical interconnection between conductive layers while enabling rapid pressure equalization during launch ascent. The result is reliable grounding and venting performance with no compromise to thermal isolation.

Environmental Qualification

SQUID3’s films and tapes undergo space environmental testing to ensure mission reliability. Our manufactured products consistently pass thermal-vacuum cycling tests (-40 °C to +85 °C, 4 cycles, 2-hour dwell at temperature extremes, 10⁻⁵ Torr) as well as thermal-shock testing (-40 °C to +85 °C, 15 cycles, 10 °C/min ramp rate). Coated films are subjected to ASTM D3359 adhesion testing as part of our manufacturing process and quality control standards. These qualification procedures help ensure high reliability for demanding satellite bus and payload applications.