Sensors that are used in space have to fulfill a number of special characteristics that qualify them for space missions. Innovative Sensor Technology iST offers ESCC (European Space Components Coordination) qualified thin-film Pt temperature sensors, applicable from -200 °C to +200 °C. The qualified sensor series completed four years of evaluation and qualification tests, before it got the certificate from the European Space Agency (ESA). The certified sensors are also suitable for other High Reliability (Hi-Rel) applications, such as aerospace.
Space projects, missions and satellites with IST-sensorsJuice, Solar Orbiter, Euclid, LISA, MPCV, ARIEL, SPACE REACTION WHEELS; ERSA, EAGLE, IMAP, SABIAMAR, TITAN, ROSE-L, Comet Interceptor, SOLAR-C. Other launches with IST-sensors on board are already planned.
Putting the sensor through its paces
Putting the sensor through its paces
The completed tests show, that the sensors are suitable for space applications. They provide stable measuring results at 70,000 cycles from -200 ° C to +200 ° C, which proves that the sensors are resistant against thermal cycles. Also, the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) experienced only irrelevant changes during the tests and the sensors proved to be very drift-stable.
Further advantages of the sensors are the small size (L x W x H: 2.2 x 2.0 x 1.1 mm), the light weight and the robustness due to the lack of moving parts.
Benefits of using ESCC qualified parts
- The ESCC system is internationally recognized, so use of QPL parts allows for simpler approval in space projects
- ESCC QPL/QL parts are preferred parts in ESA programs
- The parts have been evaluated for reliability for space applications
- Their technologies, design and manufacturing processes are well defined and controlled
- The manufacturer's supply chains have been audited by the ESCC Executive
Source: ESCC Executive Document ESCC/GRP/001
ESCC Qualified Manufacturer
You can see our registration, with a short description, on the ESCC organization website.