EANS-News: ItN Nanovation AG / Departure into New Worlds - Nanocoating by ItN Nanovation is flying to the Mercury

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Utl.: Collaboration within an ESA space mission
ItN Nanovation is developing high performance coatings for the BepiColombo
probe
Coating system must prove itself under extreme conditions =

Saarbrücken (euro adhoc) - Saarbrücken - October 01, 2009. ItN Nanovation AG
(ISIN DE000A0JL461) with its high expertise and successful work in the field of
nanoscale coatings has been selected to develop important thermal coatings for
the BepiColombo Mercury probe of the European space agency ESA and JAXA, the
Japanese Space Agency. The coating is designed to be applied on the high gain
antenna of the satellite. ItN Nanovation is cooperating with the antenna
reflector contractor, the Astrium GmbH, a subsidiary of EADS, and with Thales
Alenia Space Italy responsible of the overall Antenna.

The coating is exposed to extreme conditions during the mission which is planned
to last about seven years: in cruise and subsequently in the orbit of the
Mercury with very high UV-, electron- and proton radiation at temperatures
above 400°C. Mercury is the planet closest to the sun with an average distance
to the sun of ca. 58 million kilometres. The farthest distance to Earth is
approximately 220 million kilometres. The UV radiation in the orbit of Mercury
is 10 to 14 times higher than in the orbit of planet Earth and is causing severe
deterioration of the thermal properties of conventional coatings. First tests
with ItN Nanovation coatings under space conditions showed a good stability
after high UV-irradiation.

The ESA´s BepiColombo mission is going to be realized by an international
consortia under the leadership of Astrium GmbH, Friedrichshafen. It is scheduled
to be launched in 2014. After travelling for about six years the satellite will
enter Mercury orbit to explore the planet for at least one year. Among several
investigations (e.g. investigations in the magnetosphere of Mercury),
BepiColombo will establish a complete map of Mercury at different wavelengths.
This will allow to map the planet's mineralogy and elemental composition and
determine whether the interior of the planet is molten or not.
Dr. Ralph Nonninger, CTO of ItN Nanovation and responsible for research and
development is commenting: "We are proud that we can participate in such a
demanding space mission and that we have been chosen by Astrium GmbH as
developing partner for the coating system of the high gain antenna. The
assignment as development partner underlines once more - besides the economical
implications for ItN Nanovation - the capability of our products and the high
international reputation of our enterprise."

For further information, please visit:
http://www.esa.int
and
http://sci.esa.int/

Further inquiry note:
ItN Nanovation AG
Untertürkheimer Straße 25
66117 Saarbrücken
Tel.: +49 (0) 681/50 01-460
Fax: +49 (0) 681/50 01-499
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.itn-nanovation.com

Investor Relations Contact:
edicto GmbH
Mr. Axel Mühlhaus
Zeißelstr. 19
60318 Frankfurt am Main
Tel.: 069-90 55 05-52
Fax.: 069-90 55 05-77
Email: [email protected]

Further inquiry note:
Nicole Poulain
Telefon: +49(0)681 5001-480
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ende der Mitteilung euro adhoc
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issuer: ItN Nanovation AG
Untertürkheimer Straße 25
D-66117 Saarbrücken
phone: +49 (0)681 5001 460
FAX: +49 (0)681 5001 499
mail: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.itn-nanovation.com
sector: Technology
ISIN: DE000A0JL461
indexes: CDAX
stockmarkets: free trade: Berlin, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, München, regulated
dealing/general standard: Frankfurt
language: English

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