e2v Delivers Imaging Sensors for ESA Space Mission

At its headquarters recently, e2v was joined by representatives from the European Space Agency (ESA), Astrium SAS, key suppliers and local dignitaries for a celebration to mark the delivery of more than 150 e2v imaging sensors for the large focal plane array Gaia, an ESA mission to record more than 1 billion stars.

The imaging sensors were integrated by Astrium to form the focal plane array ahead of the proposed 2013 launch. The sensors will make it possible to use the information on the 1 billion stars to make a 3-D map of the galaxy.

“We have delivered the sensors for an almost 1-billion pixel camera that will be the biggest in space and are looking forward to seeing astounding scientific discoveries enabled by the e2v team,” said Jon Kemp, e2v marketing and applications manager.

An audience of more than 200 listened to presentations given by the e2v team that had worked on the Gaia project, by Giuseppe Sarri, Gaia project manager from ESA, and by Philippe Charvet, Gaia payload manager from Astrium SAS (the prime contractor for Gaia).

For more information, visit: www.e2v.com