Press release: Sodern reveals its new range of Auricam cameras

“November 08, 2023 – Sodern is pleased to announce the launch of the Auricam range of compact space cameras suitable for all orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO), at reduced cost and deliverable within a few weeks of order. The versatile Auricam cameras have been designed to cover a wide range of missions, such as space surveillance and protection, ensuring the continuity and security of operations, in-orbit or rendezvous services, navigation and scientific exploration. The Auricam range includes two launch models offering two fields of view: Auricam D35 and Auricam D80.

Auricam draws on over fifty years of Sodern experience in space equipment development. Most recently, Sodern developed the navigation cameras for the European JUICE (NASA) and Earth Return Orbiter (NASA/ESA) missions. The latter, used for the mission to return Martian samples to Earth, is capable of detecting a twenty-centimeter capsule close to the Martian atmosphere at a distance of over 3,000 km.

Auricam cameras benefit from Sodern’s optoelectronic expertise and extensive resources. The Auricam range thus achieves a high level of performance in detecting debris, small satellites or rocket bodies up to magnitudes 6 to 8, while delivering excellent image quality thanks to a 4-million-pixel CMOS sensor.

Auricam cameras are available in two models to meet all operational needs.

A representative digital twin model will complete the offer to facilitate integration by satellite prime contractors. This model is based on a simulation tool developed by Sodern, and validated in flight for more than 10 years now on star tracker and camera projects.

 

The design of Auricam cameras has been specially developed to offer reduced size and weight, without compromising on robustness and performance. While being resistant to radiative environments, the mass of the Auricam D35 is only 420g for a volume of 71 x 59 x 140 mm3; and 450g and a volume of 71 x 59 x 150 mm3 for the D80. Power consumption is also optimized, at less than 2 watts.

Auricam cameras are equipped with standardized, off-the-shelf, tried-and-tested components to ensure optimum reliability combined with rapid delivery. Thus, our highly industrialized manufacturing process guarantees delivery within three to four months, depending on the options chosen.

“When in 2019, with Auriga™, we launched the first space star tracker designed for high-volume production, we were betting on the fact that space would become a major issue requiring ever shorter time-to-market in a context of increased competitiveness.

4 years later, strengthened by the confirmation of what is today a reality: we are launching a range of high-performance cameras that builds on the foundations of what has made Auriga™ so successful; the same mechanical interfaces, the same communication interfaces and, above all, the same reliability and off-the-shelf availability.

Our mission is to enable our customers to succeed in their missions, by providing high-quality, reliable equipment in the shortest possible time-frame,” says Fabien Robert, Vice-President Development & Sales.

The Auricam range is qualified for a lifetime of 15 years in geostationary orbit.

The development of this camera has benefited from support from CNES as part of the Investment in the Future Plan (PIA) launched by the French government.”

Download the press release

Hydra Access: a high-end star tracker available off-the-shelf

The Hydra Access tracker is the latest addition to the well-known Hydra range of high-end star trackers. Offering exceptional quality and resilience, Hydra trackers have been flown on major institutional and scientific missions for several countries, as well as on telecommunication and observation satellites in all orbits for 12 years.

Hydra Access is a standardized and simplified version of the Hydra-CP high-end star tracker in terms of testing, integration and reviews. In exactly the same way as Hydra-CP, it is composed of an optical head which integrates the image pre-processing.
Hydra Access trackers are mass-produced using new industrial production methods, and are designed, manufactured and tested to improve productivity throughout the manufacturing chain in order to optimize production costs.
This off-the-shelf batch manufacturing process enables Hydra Access to offer a high-end tracker with low lead-time at an affordable price. Hydra Access thus meets the needs of Newspace companies wishing to upgrade their product range with more precise attitude control. It also meets the expectations of traditional players seeking greater profitability for their space programs.

Discover Hydra Access star tracker in video

Hydra Access benefits from the same technical capabilities and reliability as the Hydra CP high-end trackers, inherited from over fifty years of Sodern experience in developing advanced space equipment. Hydra Access is designed to meet the most demanding accuracy and robustness requirements. Using the HAS-2 CMOS sensor and proven star detection algorithms, it offers an acquisition time of less than 2 seconds and an attitude retrieval accuracy of approximately 1 arcsec.

In addition, Hydra Access has a thermoelectric sensor cooling system that can be activated on demand, according to the needs of the mission. Hydra Access also benefits from an embedded star catalog, a library of algorithms and advanced software.
“We designed Hydra Access with the aim of offering a tracker with exceptional and recognized performance, that is immediately available and at a lower price. I am convinced that Hydra Access will become the new standard in the high-end star tracker market, offering an ideal alternative for budget constrained missions”, explains Fabien Robert, Sales & Marketing Director.

Hydra Access is designed with hardened, radiation-resistant lenses and is available with a 26° protective baffle.

The design of Hydra Access benefits from the in-flight experience of Hydra optical heads, representing over 5 million hours of fault-free operation since 2012. More than 300 Hydra trackers are currently in flight. Hydra Access also offers a lifetime of more than 18 years in geostationary orbit (GEO)*.

* With Peltier activation.

Sodern presents a daytime star tracker at the Paris Air Show 2023

The 54th edition of the International Paris Air Show, organized by SIAE, a subsidiary of GIFAS, will take place from June 19th to 25th, 2023, at the Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Center.

Sodern will exhibit for the first time: outdoor location B-3.

For the first time before institutions and the general public, Sodern demonstrates its new daytime star tracker at the International Paris Air Show.

Combining an inertial unit and a star tracker, Sodern has developed an innovative solution capable of providing precise and drift-free localization by eliminating sky brightness to view stars 24/7. Unlike traditional satellite-based positioning systems, the daytime star tracker is resilient to jamming and spoofing, making it a significant asset in various military situations and operations, such as coastal approaches by ships.

Sodern offers a new reliable and invulnerable technology that contributes to safe and autonomous navigation for all types of aircraft or vessels, both civilian and military.

Sodern has developed this daytime star targeting solution for dual applications. “As we usually do at Sodern, the objective is to develop a dual-use technology that, starting from a military requirement, can be adapted for civilian use. This solution showed at the SIAE exhibition would be a great asset for drones, stratospheric balloons, as well as merchant ships or even land vehicles to prevent malicious acts or when approaching high-risk areas,” comments Jean-Marc Espinasse, Vice President Strategy & Innovation at Sodern.

Don’t miss the demonstration of geolocation without the use of radio navigation signals.

Feel free to contact us to schedule a meeting: communication@sodern.fr

Press release: Auriga™ star tracker

“January 31st 2023 – Sodern is pleased to announce the launch of an upgraded version of the Auriga™ star tracker and of a new 26° baffle.

The Auriga™ star tracker is packed with the latest high-tech components and is optimized for the small satellite markets of less than 500kg and for New Space projects as of 6U. The new version of Auriga™ offers improved optical performance and a thicker casing for enhanced protection against radiation. These improvements allow a lifetime of over 15 years in geostationary orbit and 10 years in low Earth orbit (LEO 400-1,200km). In addition to the 35° baffle, a 26° baffle is now available.”

Find the full press release by clicking below:

Press release: Auriga™ star tracker

International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research & Industry and the Symposium of Nothsteastern Accelerator Particule

The International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research & Industry and the Symposium of Nothsteastern Accelerator Particule brings together scientists, engineers, professors, physicians and students from all over the world who use particle accelerators in their research and industrial applications.
On this occasion, Sodern presents two research concerns carbon nanotubes applications on ion source:

Interviews: Sodern featured in the international media

Sodern was at the SmallSat NewSpace show in Logan, Utah, USA. The company showcases not only its products (Auriga star tracker, space cameras) but also its history and its capacity of permanent innovation.

On this occasion, Satellite Evolution Global (UK) and Utah Public Radio (USA) conducted interviews on Sodern.

Find below the Satellite Evolution Global article and the Utah Public Radio column:

Satellite Evolution Global – August 22

60-year-old company shows off star tracker at Small Sat | UPR Utah Public Radio

Press kit: 60 years of transformation

In 1962 Sodern, the engineering and nuclear realization company was founded. The company was created to perform a strategic mission: design and build the core of France’s nuclear weapons, the “neutron initiators”. Sodern succeeded in mastering this highly complex know-how and is still today the only company to have this expertise in France.

On the back of this success, France and Europe entrusted the young company with other complex projects, including cutting-edge scientific instruments lying at the heart of the French Earth observation satellites, and disruptive military technologies. 60 years later, Sodern remains true to this technological pioneering legacy, and builds exceptional instruments for the armed forces and space agencies such as NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and CNES (French Space Agency). From Mars to Venus and Jupiter, Sodern’s instruments have journeyed throughout the Solar system.

But while this technological excellence runs through the company’s blood, it is not an end in itself. Sodern’s goal is two-fold: to stimulate disruptive innovations both for French sovereignty and for private markets, and to become the world leader in its fields of activity. This is a real challenge, demanding the perfect balance between quality and competitiveness.”

Find the full Press Kit here: 60 years of transformation. At the heart of sovereignty, at the front of new space: story of a S.M.E. that has become a world leader.

Firsts shows & conferences

Our regional sales managers have been able to attend their firsts shows & conferences in a long time.

At GSTC in Singapour, the AAS conference in Breckenridge (US) and the SmallSat Symposium in Mountain View (US), we have met our customers and prospects to discuss how our products could enable their future missions.

Next stop: 37th SpaceSymposium from April 4th to 7th!

Please contact communication@sodern.fr if you wish to meet us during this event.

Europa Clipper: NASA highlights Sodern’s star tracker

Our star tracker for NASA’s Europa Clipper mission has been delivered to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The star tracker, one of the most challenging ever designed by Sodern, will be critical to determine the spacecraft’s orientation while traveling from Earth to Jupiter.

“It gave me goose bumps to be a few feet away from the star tracker and think about its role in ensuring the success of this daring mission.” “The moment I saw it, I realized even more that our spacecraft is becoming a reality”

Discover it: https://europa.nasa.gov/news/43/mission-dispatch-tracking-the-stars/

Sodern is always proud to contribute to NASA’s and ESA’s missions to help mankind learn more about our solar system.

Next stop : Jupiter !

(c) NASA

Meet us at AAS conference in Breckenridge & at SmallSat Symposium 2022

Join us at the 44th Annual AAS Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference in Breckenridge, Colorado from February 3 through February 9, 2022.

For more information: Conference Info – Rocky Mountain AAS (aas-rocky-mountain-section.org)

And meet our regional sales managers at Small Sat Symposium show in Mountain View, California from February 8 through February 10, 2022.

For more information & registration: SmallSat Symposium 2022 (smallsatshow.com)