Birkenhead-based Micro-Epsilon UK reports that its German sister company Micro-Hybrid Electronic GmbH developed aerospace-grade sensor and evaluation electronics for scientific instruments installed on the Rosetta space probe’s Philae lander, which came to rest on the surface of comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 12 November.
One of the 10 instrument modules carried by Philae is the APXS (Alpha Protons X-ray Spectrometer), which was designed to bombard the comet’s surface with alpha particles and X-rays. By measuring the back-scatter, scientists can deduce the chemical composition of the surface and obtain information about the presence of carbon and oxygen.
Karl-Heinz Suphan, senior project manager at Micro-Hybrid, said: “The components that we developed for the APXS instrument module had to withstand enormous levels of cosmic radiation, plus temperatures down to -100°C. The supply of high-performance sensor evaluation and electronics is a common requirement for Micro-Hybrid, but participating in such a spectacular project is particularly exciting for us.”
Established in Thuringia in 1992, Micro-Hybrid offers a wide range of components for electronics applications, including sensors and industrial systems for regulation, control and measurement.
Its micro systems are used in eddy-current sensors for non-contact distance measurement and in flow sensors to determine the flow rate of oily or aqueous media. Its infra-red components are used for non-contact temperature measurement, flame detection, gas measurement and the analysis of liquids.