References

SODERN Space Activity started by the end of the 60’s with developing Earth and Sun sensors. The activities then widened with Star Trackers’ development for both space-borne vehicles (satellites and shuttles), as well as for strategic missile guidance. In the mid 70’s SODERN started with the SPOT program what is now a large part of its space business: electronic focal plane cameras for space-borne observation instruments (detection units and focal plane assemblies - FPA -).

The first SODERN device was launched in December 1974, on board the SYMPHONIE telecommunication satellite. Since this first launch, about 250 pieces of equipment made by SODERN have been launched and operated in space, posting something like 200 years of cumulated life span.

No satellite failure has ever been recorded from these equipments.

The SODERN flight record is listed below.

Earth sensors for:

• SPOT1, 2, 3, 4, 5, HELIOS I, HELIOS II, ERS 1,2, ENVISAT, MétOp 1, 2, 3, ADEOS 1, 2, ALOS, ETS VII, ENVISAT.
• SYMPHONIE, ELS, TELECOM I, II, and all ASTRIUM EUROSTAR Platforms, SESAT, GALS R16, EXPRESS-AM.

Star Trackers for:

• EXOSAT, IPS-SPACELAB, GRANAT, HELIOS I, HELIOS II, ENVISAT, ODIN, SPOT 5, ORBVIEW 3 & 4, SORCE, Non disclosed platform, ATV, SPACEBUS 4000 platform, CARTOSAT, SERVIS, SELENE, PROTEUS platform, LEOSTAR platform, DAWN, AIM.

Detection units and optical instrumentation for:

• SPOT1, 2, 3, SPOT4, SPOT5, HELIOS I, HELIOS II, VEGETATION 1, 2, MERIS, IASI, CALIPSO, POLDER.

Scientific instrumentation for:

• ALICE, DECLIC, PHARAO, COROT, MARS96, NETLANDER

Nowadays the space activity of SODERN accounts for two thirds of the total activity of the company, with Earth sensors, Star Trackers and optical instrumentation for observation as well as micro-gravity or science programs.