Posted in | News | Sensors General

Micro-Epsilon Group Aerospace-Grade Sensor Installed on the Rosetta Space Probe’s Lander

Micro-Hybrid Electronic GmbH, a member of the Micro-Epsilon Group, has developed aerospace-grade sensor and evaluation electronics for scientific instruments installed on the Rosetta space probe’s lander, Philae, which landed on the surface of the Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet on 12th November 2014.       

Launched in 2004, the 1.3 billion euro Rosetta project is an ESA (European Space Agency) mission with contributions from its member states and NASA. The box-shaped Philae lander, which weighs around 100kg, is equipped with a variety of scientific instruments whose function is to analyse the surface of the comet. Philae comprises of a baseplate, an instrument platform and a polygonal sandwich construction, all made from carbon fibre, as well as three unfolding legs for landing. Philae carries 10 instrument modules with a combined total mass of around 21kg.

One of these 10 instrument modules is APXS (Alpha Protons X-ray Spectrometer), whose function is to analyse the chemical composition of the surface of the comet. In order to investigate a particular material, the device bombards its surface with alpha particles and X-rays. By measuring the backscatter from the particles, scientists can deduce the chemical composition of the material and obtain information about the presence of the important elements carbon and oxygen.      

The sensor evaluation and electronics for APXS were developed by Micro-Hybrid and certified for this particular mission by working in close collaboration with the Max Planck Institute in Mainz, Germany. In critical space applications such as this, no mistakes can be afforded and there are no second chances if components fail. Not only were the Micro-Hybrid electronics designed to withstand 10 arduous years of space flight time, they also needed to withstand the high impact shocks and vibrations resulting from landing on the rough terrain of the comet.

Following its 10-year flight time in space and subsequent landing on the comet, the full functionality of the APXS module was confirmed.

The components we’ve developed for the APXS instrument module need to withstand enormous levels of cosmic radiation and temperatures down to minus one hundred degrees Centigrade [-100 deg C]. Although the supply of high performance, high quality sensor evaluation and electronics is a common requirement for Micro-Hybrid, participating in such a high profile, spectacular project like Rosetta is particularly exciting for us and demonstrates our technical expertise and leadership in our field.

Karl-Heinz Suphan, Senior Project Manager R&D at Micro-Hybrid

Rosetta is the first mission in history to rendezvous with a comet, escort it as it orbits the Sun, and then deploy a lander to its surface. Based on data gathered from the comet’s surface, scientists hope to discover more about how the Earth was originally developed. The mission is expected to end in December 2015.

Micro-Hybrid also supplied sensor evaluation and electronics for the APXS instrument module on the successful NASA MER double mission to Mars in 2003.

Established in 1992 in Thuringia, Germany, Micro-Hybrid develops innovative mechanical microelectronics and infrared systems. A global leader in the development of customer-specific infrared sensors, Micro-Hybrid is the only company worldwide that offers a complete product portfolio for NDIR gas- and liquid- analysis. The company designs leading-edge hybrid solutions and LTCC (Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics) technology for global core markets, including medical and environmental technology, industrial and aerospace.

Micro-Hybrid offers a wide range of components for electronics applications including sensors and industrial systems for regulation, control and measurement. The company’s micro systems are used in eddy current sensors for non-contact distance measurement and in flow sensors to determine the flow rate of oily or aqueous media. Infrared components are used for non-contact temperature measurement, flame detection, gas measurement and analysis of liquids.

For more information, please call the Micro-Epsilon sales department on 0151 355 6070 or email [email protected]  

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Micro-Hybrid GmbH. (2019, February 24). Micro-Epsilon Group Aerospace-Grade Sensor Installed on the Rosetta Space Probe’s Lander. AZoSensors. Retrieved on December 10, 2024 from https://www.azosensors.com/news.aspx?newsID=8845.

  • MLA

    Micro-Hybrid GmbH. "Micro-Epsilon Group Aerospace-Grade Sensor Installed on the Rosetta Space Probe’s Lander". AZoSensors. 10 December 2024. <https://www.azosensors.com/news.aspx?newsID=8845>.

  • Chicago

    Micro-Hybrid GmbH. "Micro-Epsilon Group Aerospace-Grade Sensor Installed on the Rosetta Space Probe’s Lander". AZoSensors. https://www.azosensors.com/news.aspx?newsID=8845. (accessed December 10, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Micro-Hybrid GmbH. 2019. Micro-Epsilon Group Aerospace-Grade Sensor Installed on the Rosetta Space Probe’s Lander. AZoSensors, viewed 10 December 2024, https://www.azosensors.com/news.aspx?newsID=8845.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.