Teledyne CIS120 sensors launch on GOSAT-GW

Image courtesy Teledyne

Teledyne Space Imaging in Chelmsford, has designed, tested and manufactured two powerful charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors delivered to Airbus for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Sentinel-4 air-quality monitoring mission. 

The Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle (GOSAT-GW) launched on 29th June at 1:33am (JST) from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. This mission is a collaborative project between Japan’s Ministry of the Environment (MOE), the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The GOSAT-GW mission carries the two CIS120 sensors from Teledyne Space Imaging as part of its Total Anthropogenic and Natural emissions mapping SpectrOmeter-3 (TANSO-3). TANSO-3 has been designed to provide high-precision, wide-area monitoring of greenhouse gases in space to gauge their effects on climate change. TANSO-3 will specifically observe gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen dioxide, while other parts of the satellite will gather data around the physical qualities of water, such as sea surface temperatures.

This will be the first satellite in the GOSAT series to include the CIS120 sensor. Imaging data gathered from this 2025 launch will be shared with other agencies and organisations for the betterment of human knowledge around climate change and greenhouse gases.

Teledyne Space Imaging was chosen to supply the sensors due to the company’s reputation for excellence, as well as the flexible nature of the CIS120 sensors and their high signal to noise ratio. The sensors had to be modified with a new package to connect to the instrument’s specific cooling mechanism and the rest of the satellite. They have been fully radiation tested, and life tested in extreme temperatures in order to be space qualified for up to 14 years.

Ross Mackie, Principal Project Lead Engineer at Teledyne Space Imaging, said: “We get very excited when we work on Earth observation missions such as GOSAT-GW, as we get to play an active part in monitoring carbon emissions and developing countermeasures. In addition, we can help countries and organisations understand the science behind more extreme weather events and reduce their own environmental impact on the planet. Having our sensors onboard the GOSAT-GW satellite mission is a very special moment for us and the team is extremely proud of what we have achieved since winning the bid in 2019.”

Teledyne Space Imaging initially won the bid to supply the third GOSAT mission with CIS120 sensors in 2019 and the team worked hard to deliver the final products in 2023. Two years later, the work has led to other customers requesting Teledyne Space Imaging’s sensors for similar projects in the Earth observation sector.

Tracy Phillips, Teledyne’s Principal Project Manager responsible for the execution and performance of the project, added: “Managing the CCDs for the Sentinel-4 mission was one of my first projects at Teledyne, and it was fascinating to learn about the technological capabilities of our detectors. It’s very exciting to work with such advanced sensors that will contribute to gathering vital information about our planet, ultimately better protecting Earth and helping save lives.”

Teledyne Space Imaging delivers engineered and complex space solutions, manufacturing advanced electronics, imaging and sensor systems for operation in the growing global space economy.