Space market

LYNRED addresses all the strategic segments in the space sector, from Earth observation programs and scientific missions through to space defense and smallsats. LYNRED offers bespoke solutions geared towards the specific set of technical and environmental challenges in each segment.

1.1. Earth observation

LYNRED's infrared detectors have been incorporated into countless Earth observation missions led by European and international space agencies. These sensors are engineered to:

• Track climate change
• Observe natural resources
• Detect natural disasters
• Support environmental or agricultural policies

The infrared linear and staring array detectors designed for this segment need to deliver high radiometric resolution, excellent stability over time and exceptional resilience to the extreme conditions experienced in space and during launch.

(Image EUMETSAT)

In particular, LYNRED's products have been built into the satellites within the Meteosat, IASI and MetOp programs, and the company continues to contribute its expertise to new-generation projects aimed at the long-term observation of weather patterns and climate change.

1.2. Scientific missions

LYNRED also designs detectors for complex scientific missions conducted in extreme environments, including:

• Astronomy (observing stars, galaxies, exoplanets, etc.)
• Planetary exploration (surface temperature, atmospheric composition, etc.)
• Atmospheric sounding (research into greenhouse gases, ozone, etc.)

These applications call for sensors that not only offer ultra-high sensitivity, but are also capable of operating across very wide spectral bands, even VLWIR (Very Long-Wave Infrared). Detectors also need to provide excellent response uniformity, long-term thermal stability and exceptional image quality.

The products developed for these missions are specifically qualified for withstanding radiation, launch-induced vibrations and space-related thermal stresses.

1.3. Space defense

With nations increasingly eying space for its major strategic value amidst the tensions running across the geopolitical arena, LYNRED's products are also used in space systems for defense and security applications:

• Space surveillance
• Earth observation for gathering intelligence
• Tracking orbiting objects or ground targets
• Preventing space warfare or threats

These missions require stringent levels of confidentiality, reliability and precision. LYNRED develops custom-designed infrared detectors to meet the specifications from integrators and governmental agencies.

1.4. Smallsat

For several years, LYNRED has been actively developing detectors for the new generation of miniature satellites (smallsats) used in low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations. These systems can be used to scale up the number of observation points while driving down data acquisition costs.

In response to these new applications, LYNRED offers infrared detectors:

• Featuring increasingly lightweight and compact designs
• Using very little energy
• Delivering enhanced thermal performance for small-size formats
• Suited to short manufacturing cycles and mass production runs

These solutions are designed equally for newcomers to the commercial space sector and institutional agencies developing observation or multi-platform detection programs.

In the space sector, sensitivity and resolution are not the only criteria that dictate an infrared sensor's performance. It also needs to deliver operational reliability, precision and stability in one of the most extreme environments known to humankind. LYNRED addresses these challenges by designing detectors that are specially qualified for space missions, whether for observation, scientific, environmental or defense applications.

2.1. Withstanding the extreme conditions in space

Vacuum-like conditions in space, major variations in temperature, launch-induced vibrations and cosmic radiation push electronic components to the limit. That is why LYNRED's sensors are:

• Space-qualified (vibration testing, thermal cycles and endurance)
• Designed to withstand ionizing radiation
• Capable of delivering stable performance over several years
• Engineered to space agency standards (ESA, French National Space Agency, etc.)

Such reliability is vitally important, since there is no way to carry out maintenance in space. A single fault could derail an entire mission.

2.2. Ensuring stability and radiometric precision

Observation satellites and onboard scientific instruments are aimed at detecting infinitely small temperature changes, sometimes on a milli-Kelvin scale. This includes the following applications:

• Tracking global warming (increase in surface temperatures)
• Observing greenhouse gases (such as CO₂ and methane)
• Monitoring the oceans, forests and polar ice caps

Therefore, infrared detectors need to be capable of providing:

• Minimal drift over time
• Excellent image uniformity across the entire array
• Reduced noise (low NETD) and flawless thermal stability

Such radiometric quality is required to produce actionable data for scientific research and climate modeling.

2.3. Addressing size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements

The development of the smallsat market and multi-platform missions has propelled compact designs and energy efficiency high up the priority list. Sensors must be:

• Compact so that they can be embedded in miniaturized payloads
• Lightweight to reduce the launch mass
• Energy efficient to preserve the power available on board

LYNRED designs enhanced detectors to meet these SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) requirements, without any trade-off in thermal performance. Some models are specifically intended for the smallsat market and suitable for mass production.

2.4. Ensuring reliable, continuous and multi-band observation

To keep tabs on the changes sweeping the planet, space instruments must be capable of:

• Collecting data on a regular basis (orbital repeatability)
• Covering vast geographical areas (large swathes)
• Operating across several spectral bands (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR, VLWIR, etc.)
• Detecting weak signals in thermally homogeneous environments (e.g. atmosphere or sea surface)

LYNRED develops sensors that can operate in several infrared bands, which paves the way to multi-spectral and hyperspectral imaging. These technologies are driving future generations of embedded scientific instruments.

2.5. Empowered by a space-dedicated industrial infrastructure

LYNRED can draw on its test benches, clean environment and experienced project team with expertise in managing complex space programs. 

This technical, organizational and operational expertise has forged LYNRED's reputation as a trusted supplier of embedded infrared imaging solutions for space applications, with the ability to tackle the challenges of today and the scientific ambitions of tomorrow.

As a European leader in space-qualified infrared detectors, LYNRED offers an end-to-end range of solutions. Each product family is designed to meet extreme performance, reliability and durability requirements.

3.1. A product lineup covering the entire spectrum and every format

LYNRED develops space flight-ready infrared detectors covering wavelengths from SWIR to VLWIR. These detectors are available in linear and staring array versions, with pixel pitches and formats suited to space applications (large resolutions, low noise and high sensitivity).

3.2. Flexibility and customization

LYNRED offers a modular range, such as standardized solutions for accelerating integration times and bespoke products geared towards specific missions, whether in terms of spectral band, format or systems integration.

3.3. Closer look at the smallsat market

LYNRED develops solutions with compact designs, reduced weight and low power draw for the emerging smallsat market, while retaining the performance expected for space applications. The smallsat range is especially expansive, since it encompasses both low-cost solutions and bespoke products.

4.1. LYNRED is actively involved in a number of space missions. Prime examples include:

Meteosat Third Generation (MTG)

LYNRED has supplied 26 infrared detectors for the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) series of satellites for monitoring European weather conditions. These detectors are used in the satellites' imaging and sounding instruments, in partnership with Thales Alenia Space and ESA.
This program illustrates LYNRED's ability to meet the quality, reliability and durability requirements for long-term weather observation missions.

(Image courtesy of ESA)

IASI (MetOp)

LYNRED's infrared detectors have also been embedded in the MetOp satellites within the IASI (infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer), a benchmark instrument for measuring atmospheric and weather parameters from space.
The data produced by this instrument are used by weather forecasting agencies and research centers around the world.

MicroCarb

LYNRED is taking part in the MicroCarb program for measuring carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Developed by the French National Space Agency, this satellite is aimed at shedding greater light on the carbon cycle on a planetary scale.
Infrared detectors play a key role in capturing weak signals in specific spectral bands, while delivering high radiometric stability throughout the mission.

(Credit CNES -Olivier Sattler)

4.2. Earth observation and scientific missions

In addition to major institutional missions, LYNRED's solutions can also be found in instruments for a number of applications, including:

• Studying atmospheric pollution
• Creating climate models
• Monitoring land and ocean surfaces
• Conducting remote scientific exploration activities (thermal sounding, spectral analysis, etc.)

Detectors are chosen for their ability to operate in specific spectral bands (SWIR, MWIR and VLWIR), while providing the uniform response and long-term stability required for scientific applications.

Major developments are shaping the face of the space thermal imaging sector, driven by rapid changes in observation needs and the advent of new mission models.

5.1. Miniaturization and SWaP optimization

The emergence of increasingly compact satellites, such as smallsats, has spawned a new set of size, weight and power requirements.
LYNRED develops low-power infrared detectors with formats ideally suited to these platforms, while still delivering the performance levels needed for scientific and environmental observation applications.

5.2. The rise of multi-band imaging

Multispectral or multi-band imaging can be used to cross-reference several heat signatures and thereby allow users to interpret the data with much greater precision. This approach is essential in today's world for:

• Monitoring changes in the Earth's climate
• Accurately characterizing soil, vegetation and aquatic environments
• Scientific applications with high radiometric requirements

LYNRED offers detectors that have been specifically developed for operating in several spectral bands on the same instrument.

5.3. Accelerating development cycles

The space industry expects solutions that are more readily available, particularly for missions with short turnaround times.
LYNRED can address this need by supplying detectors that are:

• Already space-qualified or undergoing qualification
• Available in standard formats with options for easier integration
• Accompanied by support services and simulation tools from the earliest stages

There are several fundamental reasons why space industry customers choose LYNRED:

6.1. Proven expertise in the space sector

LYNRED has developed and supplied several dozen detectors that are already embedded in operational satellites covering a wide range of applications, such as weather forecasting, Earth observation, climate change and scientific research.

This experience has given the company complete expertise spanning the entire production cycle, from developing sensors through to supplying qualified flight models.

6.2. Qualified products for space environments

LYNRED's detectors are specifically engineered to withstand the harsh space environment, including vacuum-like conditions, radiation, extreme temperature swings and launch-induced vibrations.

They are qualified according to space agency standards (ESA, French National Space Agency, etc.) and can be supplied as engineering, qualification or flight models.

6.3. Solutions tailored to every segment of the space market

Whether large-scale institutional programs or smallsat projects, LYNRED offers:

• Standardized detectors available in several spectral formats
• Customizable solutions to meet the mission brief
• Compatibility with complex optical payloads

6.4. Reliability throughout the mission

Sensor durability is an essential attribute for space missions. LYNRED designs its products to maintain radiometric stability and constant image quality throughout the mission.

Such reliability is key to ensuring that data collected over several years lose none of their value.

By choosing LYNRED, customers in the space industry benefit from a reliable industrial partner with the ability to meet the technological, environmental and scientific challenges of the most ambitious missions.