Vacuum Compatible Blackbody
Optical Ground Support Equipment for Space & earth radiation simulation
Vacuum compatible Blackbody sources combine the performances of traditional infrared reference sources with high-end features in order to operate in T-VACs (Thermal Vacuum Chambers), at cryogenic or ambient temperatures.
They radiate with a high and steady emissivity over a wide spectrum and an extended temperature range. Their temperature is known and controlled with the finest accuracy enabling the closest simulation of space and earth radiation for the test and calibration of space-borne infrared imagers.
In the realm of aerospace engineering, where the validation and reliability of optical systems are of paramount importance, vacuum-compatible Blackbodies play a crucial role. Their application extends beyond standard testing environments, finding utility in the optimization of Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE). This equipment, essential for the alignment, calibration, and verification of optical systems, benefits significantly from the precision and versatility offered by vacuum-compatible Blackbodies. This integration ensures that the optical components of space-borne instruments perform optimally under the challenging conditions they will encounter in space.
Vacuum compatible materials
VACUUM BB
A comprehensive range of Vacuum compatible Blackbody sources:
DCN1000-V
RCN-V
ECN100-V
For more details, download our brochureKey Features of Vacuum compatible Blackbody sources:
- Extended area up to 500×500 mm2
- Temperature range from + 80K to + 423K
- Real-time display of temperature data in °C, K, and F
- Materials and assembling procedures compatible with clean room and vacuum conditions, complying with ISO-5 cleanliness standards
- Fast response time and high stability through fine and accurate power control
- High thermal uniformity and emissivity
- Built In Test Equipment (BITE)
An emissive head compatible with vacuum environment is connected to our New Generation controller located outside the T-VAC thanks to electric feedthrough defined in accordance with the chambers’ configuration (selection of flanges ISO, CF, KF). The highest stability of regulation is ensured through an accurate power control and modelization of losses through radiation and conduction.
The emissive surface’s temperature is measured in real time via high precision Platinium sensors calibrated by the National Metrology Institutes (LNE, PTB). Various possibilities of temperature control can be selected in order to suit the different T-VAC radiating configurations of the end-user.
Our Vacuum Blackbodies aim at simulating space and terrestrial radiation, to test and calibrate space infrared sensors. Some examples of major space programs we took part in:
The essence of OGSE and their configurations:
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) constitute all the tools required by the Space industry – Sensors manufacturers and Primes – to make sure the embedded instruments won’t present technical issues or malfunctioning as maintenance in flight is not an easy task. They can be of different sorts : mechanical, electrical… and optical.
Thanks to their specific design and excellent radiating performances, HGH Vacuum Compatible Blackbodies can easily manage the stress as well as extreme temperatures and vacuum generated by space conditions. This is why they are often chosen as part of the Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE) used in the Assembly Integrating and Verification/Testing phases of satellite missions to calibrate thermal imagers and sounders (SWIR/MWIR and LWIR bandwidth) before launch.
Sensor manufacturers, the Space industry and industrial Primes require such equipment, refered to as Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE), for Assembly Integration, Verification and Testing (AIVT) processes, in order to meet their calibration needs for the sensors and instruments to be embedded in satellite missions.
Primes contractors and integrators:
- Ball Aerospace (Boulder, CO)
- Airbus Defense & Space (Toulouse, Ottobrunn, Friedrichshafen)
- THALES Alenia Space (Cannes, France)
- BERTIN Technologies
- NASA – JPL (American Space Agency – Jet Propulsion Lab)
- JAXA (Japanese Space Agency – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Tsukuba Space Center
- ISRO – Space Application Center & Solid State Physics Laboratory
- CNES (French Space Agency)
- Liège Space Center
