Space Cargo Unlimited and ZF Co-Develop Vibration Protection for Sensitive Payloads to Space and Back

• Space Cargo Unlimited and ZF are co-engineering an active vibration reduction solution for space applications

• Partnership combines Space Cargo Unlimited’s space and payload experience with ZF’s established chassis, engineering and systems expertise

• The solution is designed to mitigate critical vibrations during rocket launch and atmospheric re-entry, helping preserve the integrity and value of cargo returned to Earth

Friedrichshafen. When a rocket launches, enormous forces come into play: the thrust generates intense vibrations throughout the launch vehicle, spacecraft, and payload. If these vibrations amplify into dangerous oscillations, they can damage both the interior structures of the transport capsule and its payload. Space Cargo Unlimited and ZF are co-engineering an active damping solution designed to better protect sensitive materials, products and experiments from severe vibrations during launch, flight and re-entry. The aim is to support commercial microgravity R&D and manufacturing by helping preserve payload integrity for analysis, further development or use back on Earth.

“We bring automotive expertise into Space,” says Torsten Gollewski, Head of Corporate Research and Development at ZF. “Entering the space sector is a logical next step for us to further develop ZF technologies in new, highly demanding environments.”

Nicolas Gaume, CEO of Space Cargo Unlimited, said: “As we expand the range of materials and processes we can support in microgravity, protecting sensitive payloads throughout launch, flight and re-entry is critical. Our partnership with ZF combines Space Cargo Unlimited’s understanding of space operations and payload needs with ZF’s vibration management expertise. Together, we are co-engineering a solution to help protect sensitive payloads and support more reliable commercial research and manufacturing in space.”

From Earth to Orbit and Back: A Partnership to Protect Sensitive Cargo

Every payload faces major challenges on its journey to and from space. During launch and atmospheric re-entry, spacecraft and their payloads are exposed to vibration loads that can excite significant oscillations. If these vibrations coincide with the natural frequencies of sensitive components or cargo, even minor disturbances can escalate dramatically. The result can be damage to capsule structures, impaired space systems, or destroyed payloads. For applications that depend on returning materials or products to Earth, reducing these loads can help preserve their integrity and scientific or commercial value.

Space Cargo Unlimited and ZF are jointly developing an active vibration damping solution to help protect sensitive payloads on the journey to and from space. The collaboration supports Space Cargo Unlimited’s broader work to develop practical solutions for commercial research and industrial applications in microgravity. The core of the joint development is an active mounting approach designed to detect critical vibrations and reduce vibration loads around potentially damaging natural resonances.

For Space Cargo Unlimited, payload protection is part of the broader infrastructure needed for repeatable commercial microgravity R&D and manufacturing. Its BentoBox platform provides an autonomous environment for in-space experimentation and production, supported by mission services.

The partners bring complementary expertise to the development. Together, the partners are adapting active damping and vibration management technologies to the requirements of the space environment. Space Cargo Unlimited contributes its experience in microgravity platforms and payload operations, while ZF brings decades of experience in vibration management and chassis systems, along with automotive development processes and rapid prototyping capabilities.

Proteins, Plants, Fibers: What Space Research Makes Possible

Protecting against vibration is not an end in itself: it determines whether sensitive materials and samples from space return intact and can be put to use in science and industry on Earth.

The benefits span pharmaceutical research, life sciences, agriculture and advanced materials. Examples include protein crystals grown in microgravity, which researchers can study back on Earth to better understand proteins and support drug research. Biological samples from crop species may also be sent to space and returned for studies on plant growth or resilience. These delicate samples need protection throughout the journey so they remain useful when they return.

Another example is the production of specialty optical fibers in microgravity. The space environment enables the creation of exceptionally uniform fibers that are difficult to manufacture on Earth. However, these materials can be extremely fragile. Equipment and starting materials must withstand launch, while fibers produced in orbit need protection during re-entry and return to Earth to help preserve their properties for further study or use.

Space: An Application Field with Strategic Potential

For ZF, the initiative is more than a single technology project: “Space will become visible proof that our existing core technologies can be transferred and scaled to completely new applications,” says Gollewski. “In this way, we are opening up new fields of application that are characterized by high technological requirements, special innovation dynamics and attractive development potential.”

By entering the space sector, ZF expects to further expand its capabilities in system design, vibration management, electronics, actuation, control systems, and validation, while transferring these competencies into new areas of application. At the same time, the space environment offers a unique opportunity to test technology building blocks under real-world extreme conditions and derive valuable insights for scalable solutions across a variety of industrial and mobility applications. In doing so, ZF further strengthens its position as an innovative technology partner well beyond the traditional automotive industry.

Space Cargo Unlimited and ZF combine space and automotive expertise to co-engineer a solution designed to help protect sensitive payloads from extreme vibrations during launch and re-entry. Photo credits: ZF

Press contact

Corina Tews, Product and Technology, phone +49 7541 77-8238, email: corina.tews@zf.com

Martin Ehrenfeuchter, Product and Technology, phone +49 7541 77-963248, email: martin.ehrenfeuchter@zf.com

Éanna Doyle, Communications Manager, phone: +353 852777749, email: edoyle@space-cu.com

About ZF

ZF is a global technology company supplying highly advanced dynamic systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. Its comprehensive product range primarily serves vehicle manufacturers, mobility providers and start-up companies in the fields of transportation and mobility. With its products and integrated hardware and software solutions, the company helps make mobility smarter, safer and more comfortable. ZF offers a wide range of solutions for propulsion, electrification, chassis and passive safety. Alongside the automotive sector – passenger cars and commercial vehicles – ZF also serves market segments such as construction and agricultural machinery, wind power, marine propulsion, rail drives and test systems, and has a broad portfolio of aftermarket products and services.

With approximately 153,000 employees worldwide, ZF reported sales of €38.8 billion in 2025. The company operates 162 production locations in 29 countries.

For further press information and photos, please visit: www.zf.com

About Space Cargo Unlimited

Space Cargo Unlimited is a European space company pioneering commercial in-space manufacturing. Founded to make microgravity a tool for humanity, Space Cargo Unlimited develops technologies and mission services that enable researchers, institutions and industry customers to develop and manufacture high-value products in space. Its BentoBox is an autonomous platform for in-space experimentation and production, supported by end-to-end mission services from payload preparation and integration through launch, in-orbit operations and return to Earth. By deploying one standard interface across multiple space vehicles, Space Cargo Unlimited is creating a scalable, fleet-based model for commercial in-space manufacturing and helping accelerate the commercialization of the low Earth orbit economy.

Space Cargo is headquartered in Luxembourg, and has a team of over 50 people working across five countries. The company has raised €40 million in total funding and brings more than 50 years of combined expertise in microgravity payloads and spaceflight operations.

For further information and photos, visit space-cu.com