“Standardization, automation, and industrialization are no longer optional”

The name Beyond Gravity sounds like a startup. Can you explain who your company is?

André Wall: We have more than 50 years of experience supplying key components for the world’s most challenging space missions. We are constantly striving for greater agility, speed and innovation – this is why in 2022 we underwent a significant rebranding from RUAG to Beyond Gravity. Since then, we have really changed our culture and the way we work. I always want my team to ask themselves how a startup would decide. We apply many startup principles. And we continue to anticipate and address industry-wide changes. In short, we combine a startup mentality with our decades-long heritage.

Can you give some examples of the implemented changes?

Sure. As Beyond Gravity we have redefined our approach to production, we are streamlining our IT landscape across six countries, we have implemented ambitious sustainability initiatives and forged meaningful collaborations with startups to drive innovation. Some examples from our production: We have orders on the books for more than 300 of our constellation On Board Computers. We are now ramping up production to one satellite computer per day. Our satellite dispensers will deploy all 3,000+ Amazon satellites into space, and we are building them in an all-new, state-of-the-art facility in Sweden.

Do you also have facilities in the USA?

Yes, we have had a strong US footprint for many years. In Decatur, Alabama, we produce payload fairings and other launcher structures in a newly built production facility. Since 2015, Beyond Gravity has had a strategic partnership with ULA for the production of composite structures for the Atlas V rocket as well as the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle. And in Florida, we have a semi-automated facility for high-volume production of structural panels for satellite constellations such as Eutelsat OneWeb.

How do you rate the importance of the supply chain in the space industry?

The space industry is very dynamic. A robust supply chain is a cornerstone for cost efficiency, operational excellence, risk mitigation, innovation, and sustainability. As a leading Tier-1 supplier, we exemplify how a space supplier can adapt and transform to meet the demands of a market, that is rapidly evolving. By embracing agility, automation, and collaboration, we have positioned ourselves as a trusted partner in the space industry’s most ambitious missions.

What are the biggest shifts in the supply chain?

The transition from bespoke craftsmanship to standardized, automated production represents a paradigm shift not just for Beyond Gravity but for the entire space supply chain. Standardization, automation, and industrialization are no longer optional – they are imperatives for suppliers aiming to thrive in the commercial space sector.

What products does Beyond Gravity offer?

We provide major components for launch service providers and satellite primes.

For decades, our payload fairings, interstage adapters, dispensers, payload adapters and separation systems have been the first choice for primes and launch service providers such as United Launch Alliance (ULA), Arianespace, Avio, Mitsubishi, Space X and Dynetics.

Satellite primes from USA, Europe to Asia rely on our mission-critical products for a wide range of satellite missions. With the exception of engines, we offer all core elements of a satellite: from the satellite structure, the computer and other electronics to thermal protection, to a wide variety of mechanisms that, for example, align solar arrays or steer electric thrusters and slip rings.

Beyond Gravity offers a wide range of products for satellites and launch vehicles.

Is the space data business an area you would like to expand in?

Absolutely. Last year, we expanded our expertise into space data services and launched a new Space Situational Awareness solution. Based on more than seven years of data collection, we offer highly accurate insights into more than 10,000 active satellites. Based on this data, institutional and commercial clients can improve and accelerate their decision making for field operations.

There was a discussion about privatizing Beyond Gravity. What is the latest?

At the beginning of March, the Swiss Parliament decided that we will remain under the ownership of the Swiss Confederation. For our customers and suppliers, this means that we will continue to have a stable and strong owner, as we have had for decades. Our customers can fully rely on us to continue to deliver on our commitments. As a company, our focus remains on commercial growth, innovation and operational efficiency.

We want to grow and invest in innovation, such as new product introductions for the world’s leading satellite and rocket builders.

What is your company’s vision?

Our vision is to advance humankind. And we contribute to that with our various products for leading space missions. Be it the solar wings for ESA’s planetary defense Hera mission, key components to NASA’s James Webb telescope and many other science missions. But we also contribute with our products for satellites that observe Earth to better understand our changing environment and climate. And of course it is about connecting our world. An estimated 2.6 billion people – one-third of the global population – remain without internet access. This connectivity gap highlights the critical role of satellite internet in bridging digital divides, particularly in remote and underserved regions. We are a pivotal partner to satellite constellations that do and will deliver connectivity, for example Eutelsat OneWeb and future projects like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and MDA Aurora (Telesat Lightspeed).

Beyond Gravity is present with a booth at the Space Symposium. What is to expect there?

The entire booth will bring to life our broad product portfolio, from our payload fairing to our satellite dispenser to our leading satellite products. From the moment you walk in, you will be immersed in a vivid and unforgettable multimedia experience of the capabilities and depth of our company. And you will have our experts from our Launchers and Satellites division to answer any questions. So, be sure to stop by our booth if you are attending the show.

André Wall: CEO of Beyond Gravity since 2022

André Wall has been serving as CEO of RUAG International since the end of 2020 and assumed the role of CEO of Beyond Gravity, RUAG International’s space business, in May 2022. Wall is a German citizen with over 25 years of global experience in the aviation industry. He has held executive positions at Iberia, SR Technics, Jet Aviation, Rolls Royce Aero Engines, Toyota and MTU. Throughout his career he has driven entrepreneurial thinking, speed, efficiency, standardization and a lean serial production flow. André Wall holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin. He is father of four adult children.