Xenics imaging sensor in NASA/JPL and ESA Venus missions
Xenics, a part of Exosens and a leader in advanced imaging technology, is collaborating with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR.de) on the NASA/JPL VERITAS and ESA EnVision missions.
The VERITAS mission (Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy) and the ESA EnVision mission aim to transform our understanding of Venus by creating high-resolution maps of its surface and exploring its geological evolution. A central component of these missions is the integration of Xenics’ state-of-the-art Bobcat Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) imaging sensor.
The Xenics Bobcat is a high-performance infrared imaging sensor specifically designed for extreme environments, including space exploration. It combines advanced imaging technology with robust engineering to deliver the best performance in demanding conditions. Its 640 x 512 resolution ensures high-detail imaging, while its design incorporates radiation-hardened technology, making it capable of withstanding the intense radiation and thermal variations encountered in space missions. The Bobcat sensor will play a crucial role in providing imaging capabilities, enabling VERITAS to capture detailed surface features of Venus even under challenging conditions.
For example, the Bobcat 640 camera is based on an in-house developed, temperature-stabilized InGaAs detector with a 640 x 512 pixel resolution. The camera offers a high frame rate of 100 Hz, comes with a CameraLink or GigE Vision interface and features low weight and power. A visible enhanced short-wave infrared (vSWIR) option for extended wavelength response into the visible band is available. The cameras have standard on-board image correction featuring non-uniformity correction (NUC), bad pixel replacement (BPR) and automatic gain control (AGC).
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