The latest edition of the European Space Components Coordination (ESCC) Qualified Parts List (QPL), Edition 253, released in August 2024, includes several significant updates that impact certifications, extensions, and specifications. These updates are essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and aerospace engineers who rely on qualified components to ensure compliance with space-grade standards. Below, we dive into the most critical changes in this latest edition, including certificate extensions and scope adjustments.
Extensions
285H, Certificate from Isabellenhütte Heusler (Germany)
The certificate for Isabellenhütte Heusler in Germany, Certificate 285H, has been extended. This certificate covers a range of shunt chip, metal foil resistors, designed for high precision and stability in harsh environments—particularly vital for space applications. The covered resistor types include SMP-PW, SMS-PW, SMT-PW, and SMV-PW, which are included in the ESCC detail specifications:
These resistors, known for their low-temperature coefficient and high reliability, are frequently used in spacecraft’s current sensing and power management systems. The extension of this certificate ensures that these critical components remain available for qualified use in European space missions.
329E, Certificate from Rosenberger (Germany)
The certificate for Rosenberger, a German manufacturer specializing in RF (radio frequency) solutions, has also been extended. Certificate 329E includes RF coaxial connectors, crucial for high-frequency data transmission in space communication systems. The types of connectors covered in this extension are:
These connectors are validated under the following ESCC detail specifications:
- 3402/001, 3402/002, 3402/003 (SMA range)
- 3402/008, 3402/009, 3402/010 (TNC range)
- 3402/021, 3402/022, 3402/023 (SMA 2.92 range)
- 3402/024, 3402/025, 3402/026 (SMP range)
The wide-ranging specification coverage under this certificate ensures that Rosenberger’s RF connectors can continue serving critical roles in space systems, offering high performance and reliability in demanding communication scenarios. With the extension of Certificate 329E, the aerospace sector has access to these vital components for upcoming missions.
