SMAC is an SME located in the heart of the Toulon metropolitan area. Around 50 people work on four issues: aeronautics, defence, aerospace and anything related to sports and leisure. This large hangar located in La Garde hides a factory where parts are manufactured that go as far as Mars.
Why are they in demand?
The Gardenne structure, which was created in the 1950s, specializes in the manufacture and adaptation of two materials: elastomer and polymer.
SMAC recovers raw materials and molds parts that will serve as shock absorbers, insulators and/or shock absorbers in satellites. It is in this area that Thales calls on them as subcontractors.
With several devices enabling parts to be tested in specific conditions, the Cannes giant benefits from this proximity to carry out its mechanical tests.
Their aerospace success
It’s been twenty years since the two companies started their collaboration in space. “We usually intervene to protect the electronics from shocks and microvibrations, summarizes Tony Demerville, technical manager of the space sector. Take-off only lasts a few minutes but it must not damage the satellite, which must last for up to twenty years. We are a kind of rubber expert for specific needs.” Parts that allow a mission to go off without a hitch. These creations are then offered for sale through Thales.
To infinity and beyond?
The current file concerns the Athena project. The role of SMAC is to protect a one-ton mirror.
In addition to supplying parts for various satellites that revolve in our galaxy, the Var company has already managed to set foot on… Mars. The project the “crazier”. “With the Americans, we have parts on the red planet, se targue Tony Demerville. Exomars (headed by Thales) allowed us to put an orbiter on Mars. Unfortunately, the “lander” which was to land scratched. would have been the icing on the cake. We are also taking part in Space Rider, a manned orbit flight with Thales Italy. Here too we are working on the problems of shock. As for Juice, this European mission is to send a satellite into orbit around Jupiter.”
Due to the war in Ukraine, the Exomars 2 mission which was to be done with the Russians has been suspended. Despite this setback, SMAC keeps its head in the stars but its feet in the Var.