Xenics partners with DLR to provide advanced imaging for NASA’s VERITAS and ESA’s EnVision missions

VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio science, InSAR, Topography, And Spectroscopy) and EnVision will generate high-resolution maps of Venus and analyse its geological evolution. A key element of these missions is the integration of Xenics’s state-of-the-art Bobcat Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) sensor, which will enhance imaging capabilities under extreme environmental conditions.

The Bobcat sensor is specifically designed to operate in challenging space environments, providing high-resolution infrared imaging. With a 640×512 resolution and radiation-hardened technology, it ensures precise data capture while withstanding intense radiation and temperature variations. This technology will play a crucial role in VERITAS’s ability to capture detailed surface features of Venus.

“We are thrilled to partner with DLR.de on such a groundbreaking mission,” said Paul Ryckaert, General Manager of Exosens Advanced Imaging business unit. “Our Bobcat sensor’s proven performance and resilience make it an ideal choice for the VERITAS mission, and we look forward to contributing to the discovery of new insights about our neighbouring planet.”

DLR, a key contributor to the mission, will integrate the Bobcat sensor into the Venus Emissivity Mapper, one of the spacecraft’s key instruments. “This collaboration represents a significant milestone in leveraging international expertise for space exploration,” said Gisbert Peter, Project Manager and Head of Department at DLR.