ACST has gathered experience and know-how to become a strong partner for aero-space and radioastronomy related R&D activities. ACST’s first space-related R&D project was with ESA in 2008. Since then ACST has led or actively contributed to more than 15 R&D projects and space missions. With their active contribution to ESA space missions and quality assurance for industry products, ACST has gathered experience, know-how, and corresponding facilities for a range of reliability tests at all levels: component, module, and system level. These reliability tests are now one of their central capabilities.
Planetary Research and Radioastronomy
Planetary research and radioastronomy require the evaluation of mm-wave and THz frequency ranges. Spectroscopy in mm-wave/THz range uses so-called “fingerprint” information, which allows for remotely identification of material, its temperature and pressure. In fact, the interstellar space is full of THz radiation, containing a lot of information concerning formation and development of our universe but also concerning processes occurring on planets. For instance, to identify presence of water vapors in the upper atmosphere of a planet may be enough to investigate the spectrum of reflected radiation in THz range.
This investigation can be performed either by ground-based instruments like mm-wave/THz telescopes like ALMA, or by space-based instruments like JUICE.
THz technology is pioneering in research projects and industrial processes. Different solutions may be required to address particular applications. However, readily available THz products often do not fully correspond to customer requirements, or the customer simply does not possess the required intermediary processes to reach the research/development target. ACST offers a range of services to assist customers in reaching desired results.
ACST offers AMC-s as Local Oscillator sources and highly sensitive MixAMC-s as receivers for both terrestrial-based and space applications for radioastronomy and planetary research. ACST also offers service for development of dedicated Transmitters and Receivers at frequencies up to 1.5THz and beyond.
Click here to learn more about ACST's reliability test capabilities.
