SYDERAL SWISS SA designs and produces custom on-board electronic equipment for space applications since more than 25 years and has participated in more than 50 missions without any failures, for customers such as ESA, NASA, Thales Alenia Space and Airbus. Our extensive experience in space programs has made us one of the main electronic equipment suppliers for satellite payloads and platforms.
Hereunder are a few examples of equipment designed and produced by SYDERAL SWISS:
FLEX FLORIS ICU
The FLORIS high-resolution imaging spectrometer of the Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) mission will map vegetation fluorescence to quantify photosynthetic activity. The Instrument Control Unit (ICU) is the main electronic unit between the FLORIS instrument and the FLEX satellite platform.
The FLORIS ICU features include payload data processing, high precision synchronization of video acquisition units, telemetry (TM) data flow management, the instrument control and HouseKeeping (HK) TM/TC, the Calibration Unit (CU) mechanism control, the Thermal Control System (TCS) control, the power distribution to the FLORIS subsystems and communication with the FLEX on-board computer
MTG ICE
The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites will provide Europe’s National Meteorological Services, and by extension international users and science community, with an advanced operational satellite system, with improved imaging and new infrared-sounding capabilities for both meteorological and climate applications.
The ICE (Interferometer Control Electronic) is mounted on the Infrared Sounder (IRS) instrument and drives the interferometer mechanisms to create and accurately control the optical path difference. The main features of the ICE include high precision (in the nm range) position and trajectory control of the interferometer corner cube mechanism, telemetry and data acquisition, MIL-STD-1553 interface and communication with the instrument unit and supply of regulated power to the laser and detection units.
InSight SEIS E-Box
After landing on Mars in late 2018, the InSight mission (Interior exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport), will investigate the fundamental processes of terrestrial planet formation and evolution by performing the first comprehensive surface-based geophysical investigation of Mars. The Seis E-Box (Seismometer Electronic Box) is located in the main lander and includes all functions needed to control the seismometer. This equipment was designed and the Flight Model was delivered within less than two years.
The main features of the SEIS E-Box include: very low power consumption compatible with the Martian environment; acquisition of a large number of data channels and control of several SEIS subsystems; high precision data acquisition with low frequency noise rejection; data storage in flash memory.
Sentinel 1 - ICM
Sentinel-1 European Radar Observatory is a polar orbiting satellite for operational SAR applications (Synthetic Aperture Radar). The constellation of C-band radar satellites will provide continuous all-weather day/night imagery for user services.
The ICM (Instrument Control Module) is in charge of controlling the SAR and interfaces directly with the on-board computer. The ICM is equipped with a comprehensive set of interfaces for communicating with the platform, and for control and monitoring of the modules and units within the instrument.
GAIA PDHU
The GAIA mission is measuring the position of about 1 billion stars in our galaxy and beyond, to allow the creation of a precise 3D map for the scientific community. In the process, it will also map their motions, which will provide precious information about the origin and evolution of our galaxy.
The Payload Data Handling Unit (PDHU) records data produced by seven Video Processing Units (VPUs) and passes the data, on request, to the CDMU (Central Data Management Unit). The main features of the PDHU include: routing of the scientific data at 280 Mbits/sec; 1 Tbits of memory; pure radiative thermal dissipation, reliability better than 98% until end of life (15 years continuous operation).
Aeolous - Aladin Control and Data Management
The Aeolus Atmospheric Dynamics Mission provides global observations of three-dimensional wind fields. These observations enable a more detailed study of the balance and circulation of wind energy on Earth. The main instrument of this mission is Aladin (Atmospheric Laser Doppler Instrument), a direct detection LIDAR incorporating a fringe-imaging receiver (analyzing aerosol and cloud backscatter) and a double-edge receiver (analyzing molecular backscatter).
The Aladin Control and Data Management unit (ACDM) provides for the overall instrument management, including highly accurate sequencing between the laser emission and science data acquisition and a total driven power of 700W peak.