Infrared-detector manufacturer Sofradir of Paris will provide additional short-wave infrared arrays for Europe’s Sentinel 2 Earth observation satellite under a contract with Sentinel 2 prime contractor Astrium Satellites, Sofradir announced.
The contract, valued at 2.5 million euros ($3.5 million), is in addition to a 6.7-million-euro contract previously signed for a first batch of Sentinel 2 arrays. Astrium is under contract to the European Space Agency to build two identical Sentinel 2 spacecraft as part of Europe’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program, co-financed by the European Commission.
The infrared arrays will be integrated into the multi-spectral instrument to be placed on the Sentinel 2 spacecraft. The instrument will provide imagery in 13 spectral channels with a ground resolution of between 10 meters and 60 meters, depending on imaging mode, and a swath width of 290 kilometers.
Sofradir said its Mercury Cadmium Telluride technology for short-wave infrared arrays is winning market share for satellite missions. The company also provides infrared detectors for commercial and military applications.
