Flight ready camera lens for satellite missions.

In the harsh environment of space all instrumentation, sensors and cameras are subject to constant bombardment by cosmic radiation that will quickly degrade and make inoperative standard optical components.

Recently a camera manufacturer approached Resolve Optics to develop a new 6mm lens for use in space. The lens needed to be radiation resistant to withstand prolonged use in space, athermalized to deliver consistent performance across a wide temperature range and ruggedised to withstand the rigors of launch.

Due to the satellite camera manufacturers tight delivery requirements designing a new optimised lens from scratch was not an option.

Using the pre-existing optical design from our 6mm fixed focus radiation resistant nuclear lens, we redesigned the mechanics to produce a new space ready lens which would be suitable. This approach allowed us to develop a new camera optimised lens in a fraction of the time that would have been required for designing a lens from the ground up.

Designed to provide uncompromised performance on the customers radiation resistant camera the new 6mm focal length fixed focus lens delivers a high quality, large aperture (f/2) image and minimal geometric distortion from 400 – 750 nm. Manufactured to the highest quality standards from cerium doped glass, the new space ready lens can withstand radiation exposure of up to 1 MGy (100,000,000 rads) and temperatures up to 55 degrees centigrade without discoloration.

For further information on camera optimised space ready lenses please visit https://www.resolveoptics.com/space-ready-optics/