ÉireComposites has announced an agreement with the Belgian company, OIP Sensor Systems to design and produce stray light baffles, which will form part of the European Space Agency’s ALTIUS satellite.
The baffles will be the first external part and largest functioning piece of equipment ever to be manufactured in Ireland and launched into space.
The stray light baffles will prevent out-of-field stray light from reaching the lenses of the satellite’s optical instruments; instead, a system with periscope mirrors will be used to align the light. Stray light baffles rely upon highly controlled and precise manufacturing and finishing. ÉireComposites will manufacture the three baffles that will be attached to the side of the satellite to assist with the mission objective.
OIP forms part of a consortium that signed the contract with the European Space Agency to build this satellite which is expected to be launched by end of 2023 from French Guiana. The mission will deliver profiles of the stratospheric ozone, as well as profiles of other atmospheric trace gases. This will provide scientific understanding on how the rise in greenhouse gases affects the atmosphere.
Tomás Flanagan, ÉireComposites CEO said: “The ALTIUS satellite will signal a major milestone for Irish participation in space exploration as the three stray light baffles will become the first optical instruments manufactured in Ireland and the largest satellite parts manufactured in this country. This is a massive achievement for the company and I hope this will be the first of many parts we manufacture for space exploration missions.”
“The ALTIUS mission will play a substantial role in how we look at climate change and the impact it has on Earth. The mission will allow for long-term monitoring and scientific study of the protective ozone layer which covers Earth and inform decisions around climate change. I am excited that we will be part of this research and I would like to take the opportunity to commend the team here in Inverin that have contributed to our success in obtaining this contract.”
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Source: https://www.aero-mag.com/eirecomposites-to-create-satellite-optical-instrument-for-esa/
