Low-orbit spaceflight requires cables to perform under considerable stress. Cables need to withstand abrasion and do so at extreme temperatures that could make them more brittle — or else risk the failure of critical data transmission, leading to costly downtime.

GORE Space Cables, Type SPM for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications help integration teams stay on schedule and avoid downtime. Qualified according to ESCC 3901/018, the cables are particularly well-suited for use in satellites, manned space missions and transport vehicles.

Because of the cables’ robust insulation, they can resist scrape abrasion and other stressors. They also feature outstanding thermal stability; as spaceflights venture into temperatures as high as +200°C — and as low as -200°C to — GORE Space Cables maintain their signal integrity. And because the cables are chemically inert, they withstand the atomic oxygen commonly found in low orbit environments.

The key to the space cables’ outstanding performance is the proprietary material used in the cable insulation — expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). By incorporating ePTFE into the insulation, Gore uses a hybrid insulation that provides the best ATOX resistance available on the market today. This unique ePTFE material is chemically inert and thermal-resistant, which means that GORE Space Cables for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications withstand atomic oxygen commonly found in low orbit environments.

GORE Space Cables, Type SPM for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications are listed on the ESA-qualified part list. Among the cables’ features are their:

• high scrape abrasion resistance
• high cut-through resistance
• high temperature range from -200°C to +200°C

These features benefit manufacturers by providing:

• long-lasting life resulting from robust insulation
• improved reliability within wide temperature span
• valued reliability delivered from an ESA-qualified and a DIN EN ISO 9001:2008-certified manufacturing facility

Additionally, Gore’s worldwide engineering team provides superior sales and technical support. If you have any questions about the features or benefits of our space cables for LEO applications, please contact us.

GORE Space Cables, Type SPM for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications provide high performance in:

• DC power distribution
• low-frequency signals
• optical instruments
• Microgravity experiments

Space missions of high importance trust our cables. They have provided reliable signal integrity for:

• Automated Transport Vehicle (ATV)
• Columbus Laboratory Module of ISS
• European Robotic Arm (ERM)
• International Space Station (ISS)
• Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV)

For more than 25 years, we’ve provided highly reliable cable solutions for the space industry. The 100% success rate of our cables demonstrates our commitment to collaborating with customers when developing reliable and durable cables for these demanding applications.

Learn more about GORE Space Cables, Type SPM for low Earth orbit (LEO) applications in a thorough data sheet and a white paper discussing the properties of cables that ensure peak electrical performance.