Space applications

Sofradir holds a unique position in Europe as the only company to have second-generation IR detectors on-board satellites: Venus Express, Helios II, Spirale.

Working in close cooperation with national space agencies and companies worldwide, Sofradir’s MCT IR detectors today observe deep space, perform Earth mapping, environment and disaster monitoring, and provide data on meteorological phenomena.

Due to the flexibility of MCT technology and the high reliability of the hybridization process, Sofradir is able to offer space qualified detectors that cover a wide spectral range from the visible to 15 µm, in linear or area array format, with long-life coolers or without coolers for passive cooling.

Screening and qualification flow charts were established in cooperation with the European Space Agency and are based on the most stringent testing methods.

A dedicated team of project managers interfaces with you from specification discussion to final delivery, whatever is the type of project: recurrent manufacturing, up-grade of an existing detector or a full-custom development.