Netherlands Institute for Space Research
Description
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research is the Netherlands' expert institute for space research. The institute develops and uses innovative technology for groundbreaking research from space, focusing on astrophysical research, Earth-based research and planetary research. SRON also has a line of research into new and more sensitive sensors for X-rays and infrared radiation.
SRON has its main location in the city of Utrecht at the university's De Uithof site along the A27 motorway. This is where the Electrical Engineering Department Zuid will be visiting in week 43 (date to be announced later via mailing) with up to 30 people to get to know SRON's unique contribution to scientific international space research using satellites.
For these satellites, SRON designs and develops very special sensors and associated electronics that contribute to groundbreaking space technology and provide a new view of the universe. For example, they will soon start work on an entirely new project Safari, the Dutch-European infrared spectrometer and supercamera for the Japanese space telescope Spica.
Safari is basically an infrared camera with about six thousand pixels that can take pictures of the sky in three connecting wavelength regions. To take full advantage of the Spica's extremely cooled mirror, the camera is equipped with SRON's ultra-sensitive Transition Edge Sensor detectors and associated readout electronics. Besides developing and testing these, the Utrecht institute is responsible for the optomechanics, quality control, construction and test procedures of the entire instrument
During this interesting company visit, the organisation of SRON, scientific research in space, the design of special sensors and the special electronics needed to process the signals will be explained. SRON also has facilities for assembling
sensitive electronics and measuring sensors at very
low temperatures down to close to absolute zero.
Speaker(s)
Dr.ir. J.S.H. (Hans) van Gageldonk, Manager Engineering Division
Location
Sorbonnelaan 2, 3584 CA Utrecht
Organiser
Electrical Engineering
Name and contact details for information
ing. Richard van Heijningen, t: 06-22528046