BREMEN, Germany — Teledyne Space Imaging is collaborating with Satlantis to develop key electronics for a sensor for Earth observation and planetary exploration.
The two companies announced the partnership Nov. 20 at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany. Satlantis will develop Front-end Electronics (FEE) for Teledyne’s in-development CIS125 TDI detector.
The CIS125 Time Delay Integration (TDI) imaging sensor being developed by Teledyne Space Imaging features a 5 µm pixel size. When combined with super-resolution techniques, the sensor can achieve a resolution of less than 10 centimeters.
TDI technology allows it to combine light signals across multiple pixel rows, enhancing sensitivity and image quality in low-light or high-speed scenarios.
Satlantis of Spain will develop commercial space front-end electronics for the sensor, referring to the initial electronic circuits and components that interface directly with the sensor to process its raw signals. FEE directly impacts overall image quality and a sensor’s ability to operate effectively in various conditions.
The partnership is a significant step forward in making such imaging sensors accessible to the commercial space sector, according to Teledyne Space Imaging.
“This collaboration will bring the benefits of a TDI high-reliability detector to the commercial space sector coupled with proven front-end electronics from Satlantis,” Daniel Waller, vice president and general manager of Teledyne Space Imaging, said in a statement.
Teledyne Space Imaging has been a leader in space imaging technology since 1986, contributing to over 250 space projects with partners like NASA, ESA, and JAXA.
“This partnership with Teledyne proves that very high-resolution missions encompass a large digital challenge,” said Juan Tomas Hernani, CEO of Satlantis Group. “Today Image Digital Processing is new to space. Reading out pixels at a very high speed (hundreds of images per second), self-calibrating darks and flats via pixels, being selective at image areas, integrating the applications intimately with the detector capabilities, is the final goal of this leading partnership”.
Satlantis specializes in innovations for high-resolution Earth observation and deep space exploration. Its technology has been successfully demonstrated in space through six missions, according to the company.
“This partnership recognizes the synergies we can achieve between Teledyne’s long heritage of detector innovation and the agile design capabilities of Satlantis, which will enable us to meet our customer demands for high quality products with commercial lead times,” Waller added.
