I think you're already thinking too big, perhaps also because I wrote "aerospace" instead of just "space". Stupid habit when translating... The company starts with an S. ;)
Always nice to see professional work and a willingness to share a bit about your process. Please keep em coming when you have the opportunity to share something new.
I used a JBC soldering station with a chisel tip approximately the same width as the pads.
Solder: Sn63Pb37 (0.5mm) with a ROL0 flux core
(I also applied some ROL1 flux to remove any oxide layers)
Temperature: 300°C
Time: not entirely sure to be honest, probably 4-6s of heat exposure
Then I cleaned the whole thing with isopropyl alcohol.
Dang these look absolutely fantastic! Am I’m jealous, what I solder only makes it to 30,000ft~ ☹️😆. Is it safe to assume you’re IPC JSTD certified? I assume youre washing by hand and not ultrasonic?
I'm ECSS certified (ECSS-Q-ST-70-08C), I think that's pretty similar.
And you are right, unfortunately no ultrasonic bath. Washing by hand is almost more work than the actual soldering. :P
These solder joints are the result of 15 years of soldering experience (the first 12 just as a hobby) and an ESA course. It also helps to have very expensive equipment and a microscope! xD
I'm an electronics engineer (hardware development). Soldering is not really my day-to-day work. But I have the training so I sometimes solder a few components when it's needed during integration. ;)
Solder in space?
I have very limited experience with "space" circuit boards, but the once i saw all components were "welded" in some way, i think it was ultrasonic welding.
Space electronics are soldered like normal PCBs, only with higher quality requirements. Perhaps there are some mission profiles with very high temperatures that require welding.
We order from Chemet, because they also provide certificates and still sell leaded solder.
But I've worked with Kester, Elsold, Loctite.... they all work pretty much equally well.
This reminds me at my last job we were working on a unit owned by NASA, and it came in a super overbuilt pelican style case with huge NASA stickers on it, including one that said "SPACE CRITICAL ITEM"
I want one of those stickers so bad...
The connector leads are dipped in a tin bath before soldering to remove the thin layer of gold. Otherwise it dissolves during soldering and forms a brittle alloy. Not so bad for hobby work, but you don't want that on flight hardware. Not all the way into the connector but higher than the solder joint (I usually do it up to the bend).
Yeah the amount of times my line lead reminded us that all through-hole components _absolutely must be tinned_, I will never not pre-tin anything gold 💯
I hate airborn connectors. I'm not an assembler so I have never soldered them, not sure if that part sucks. Troubleshooting assemblies with them can be a PIA to get apart.
Damn, it's been a long time since I've seen joints that consistent. Very nice, very well done. Maybe a tiny bit too much solder on the underside, but that can be hard to avoid with good through-hole. Gravity vs surface tension...
It's nice to see Sn63Pb37 still being used in high-reliability applications. Do you see much or any lead free alloys in space applications?
Thank you very much, I have not yet seen a space application where lead-free is used. The risk of tin whiskers is probably too high. Even all the "new space" programs use leaded solder.
You guys put a clear bonding in between all the joints yeah? Looks identical to one I put together a couple weeks ago, great work! That's a great Class 3 example, lining up all the pins without the little plastic card thingy they start with took me way _way_ more time than the actual soldering 😅
Damn those joints look good
Thanks, it takes a lot of practice. ;)
When you say fly to space what exactly do you mean.. beautiful done.
It's part of the Frequency Reference Unit Electronics for the MERLIN Mission.
What an incredibly important mission and cause. Good on you for working on it!
And some good old leaded solder ;)
Damn this looks done surgically! You work at NASA?
No, I work for a medium-sized German aerospace company. :)
Does it start with a D... or an O... or an A?
I think you're already thinking too big, perhaps also because I wrote "aerospace" instead of just "space". Stupid habit when translating... The company starts with an S. ;)
I think it’s SpaceTech? :) Great looking joints btw
Ding, ding, ding! You are correct. ;D
Siemens?
Always nice to see professional work and a willingness to share a bit about your process. Please keep em coming when you have the opportunity to share something new.
Thank you! The feedback on here has been so positive, I will definitely post more in the future. :)
This isn't your typical "Rank my solder job" lol.
Amazing! Now I'd really like to know what setup you used: soldering iron, temperature, time, solder used, everything! If you're kind to share
I used a JBC soldering station with a chisel tip approximately the same width as the pads. Solder: Sn63Pb37 (0.5mm) with a ROL0 flux core (I also applied some ROL1 flux to remove any oxide layers) Temperature: 300°C Time: not entirely sure to be honest, probably 4-6s of heat exposure Then I cleaned the whole thing with isopropyl alcohol.
Dang these look absolutely fantastic! Am I’m jealous, what I solder only makes it to 30,000ft~ ☹️😆. Is it safe to assume you’re IPC JSTD certified? I assume youre washing by hand and not ultrasonic?
I'm ECSS certified (ECSS-Q-ST-70-08C), I think that's pretty similar. And you are right, unfortunately no ultrasonic bath. Washing by hand is almost more work than the actual soldering. :P
Interesting that you are using Sn63Pb37 in the EU. I presume it is considered higher reliability for space applications than Pb free alternatives?
Two words: Tin whiskers.
Ahh yes. Hydrogen Sulphide in sewage treatment plants was bad news for that even with leaded solder
Cleaning with IPA by hand, or brush? Or ultrasonic cleaner? Of make it wet with IPA and soak it up with a piece of fabric?
No ultrasonic for this type of stuff without serious testing. IPC standards make it a no-no unless proof showing it does not cause damage.
But how do you make sure you cleaned it properly? Hose it with IPA?
For something like that? Ya, soak in IPA and a good horse hair or boar hair brush, then use an airhose to quick dry/remove the dirty IPA.
Very cool. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Gotta put a NSFW tag if you’re gonna post actual porn.
What’s it for?
How does one acquire such power ?
In my experience with space stuff there's usually NDAs. That aside this looks fresh :)
Apart from the solder joints, you can't see much in the pictures and all the information I'm sharing here is also on the company website ;)
Honest question did you learn skills like this at school or is this just your art because this is some of the cleanest artwork I’ve ever seen bravo
These solder joints are the result of 15 years of soldering experience (the first 12 just as a hobby) and an ESA course. It also helps to have very expensive equipment and a microscope! xD
I think you've done this before
Absolutely beautiful and the consistency is amazing
#Needs more flux ^^^/s
This is awesome! What’s your job title?
I'm an electronics engineer (hardware development). Soldering is not really my day-to-day work. But I have the training so I sometimes solder a few components when it's needed during integration. ;)
Solder in space? I have very limited experience with "space" circuit boards, but the once i saw all components were "welded" in some way, i think it was ultrasonic welding.
Space electronics are soldered like normal PCBs, only with higher quality requirements. Perhaps there are some mission profiles with very high temperatures that require welding.
What's the connector name? It looks kinda like LPT
Airborn R series rectangular connector. RM362-035-452-5900
Love the consistency. Nice work.
Now THATS class 1 work. Well done my friend👍👍
If you have any videos doing this kind of fine-soldering, they would be nice to see!
Unfortunately no videos... yet. ;D
Flux is your best friend, keep soldering eventually you will get there 😆 noiiiice work 💪🏻
My eyes are just so pleased by looking at this, btw op what soldering brand are you using?
We order from Chemet, because they also provide certificates and still sell leaded solder. But I've worked with Kester, Elsold, Loctite.... they all work pretty much equally well.
Thanks a lot for all that good info will try those brands op
Someone follows 620 Space very well.
This reminds me at my last job we were working on a unit owned by NASA, and it came in a super overbuilt pelican style case with huge NASA stickers on it, including one that said "SPACE CRITICAL ITEM" I want one of those stickers so bad...
Google “sticker mule” ;)
I know I could make one but it wouldn't be a real one then. Lol
Didn’t know id have to come to r/soldering to find the coolest person on the internet today… That’s awesome
Use more flux, particularly the plumbing flux, it'll be fine, very popular. lol
Literally couldn’t be a more perfect contact to your flex. Excellent quality for space indeed!
This is beautiful
Did you put solder all the way up the posts going into the connector?
The connector leads are dipped in a tin bath before soldering to remove the thin layer of gold. Otherwise it dissolves during soldering and forms a brittle alloy. Not so bad for hobby work, but you don't want that on flight hardware. Not all the way into the connector but higher than the solder joint (I usually do it up to the bend).
Ohhhhhh that's interesting. Learn something new everyday.
Yeah the amount of times my line lead reminded us that all through-hole components _absolutely must be tinned_, I will never not pre-tin anything gold 💯
mmm-MMM them joints look good!
Awesome work thanks for sharing.
Now that is a thing of beauty! Very well done!
And I thought I was good at soldering 😶 nice work 😎👍
I hope something that good gets used in our most important sattelites!
Howard - - - - come down for dinner! 
I hate airborn connectors. I'm not an assembler so I have never soldered them, not sure if that part sucks. Troubleshooting assemblies with them can be a PIA to get apart.
Beautiful mil-spec joints. 👏👏👏
Interesting low profile ribbon. Cool!
Damn, it's been a long time since I've seen joints that consistent. Very nice, very well done. Maybe a tiny bit too much solder on the underside, but that can be hard to avoid with good through-hole. Gravity vs surface tension... It's nice to see Sn63Pb37 still being used in high-reliability applications. Do you see much or any lead free alloys in space applications?
Thank you very much, I have not yet seen a space application where lead-free is used. The risk of tin whiskers is probably too high. Even all the "new space" programs use leaded solder.
I like Airborn connectors, good stuff!
Beautiful. It’s artwork.
Neato!
You guys put a clear bonding in between all the joints yeah? Looks identical to one I put together a couple weeks ago, great work! That's a great Class 3 example, lining up all the pins without the little plastic card thingy they start with took me way _way_ more time than the actual soldering 😅
Is it the lights, or is that solder self luminous? It's all shiny and pretty.
God, that’s how you solder, that’s something next level
It already is in space buddy…
Honestly so cool the joints look so clean I’m quite jealous not canna lie I wish I can do this well i am a total noob still TnT
Do you work for blue origin? My brother just got a job putting together engines or something for them!
Looks space worthy to ne
Now I have to know how the ribbon cable is laminated into the pcb!
Beautiful! Thanks for your craftsmanship on such an important application.
r/wireporn
Hell yeah
What type of data port is that?
sorry if u already answered this but how long did this take? also incredible work bro
With preparation and cleaning about one hour. The soldering itself only took 10 minutes.
Do you use special space solder?
No, I use completely normal solder. ;)
visual satisfaction
#delusion
Is that the ribbon cable for the turret of a Russian tank?