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Space

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iXblue has developed solutions for space applications for more than 20 years. The company has developed space proven gyroscopes and inertial navigation systems in partnership with Airbus Defence & Space: more than 30 satellites are today equipped with Astrix Gyroscopes, cumulating more than 6 millions of hours in the harshest orbit (GEO).

Leveraging 30 years of advanced expertise in Fiber-Optic Gyroscopes, iXblue has complete mastery over all the components that are integrated into its systems, from the optical fibers, to integrated optical circuits and accelerometers. Today the company offers space grade optical components and systems up to a fully integrated transceiver for optical high-speed communications.

Space Portfolio

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Navigation & Guidance

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for safe landing on other planets and scientific missions:
ExoMars mission is embarking an Astrix 90 for the navigation during the travel to Mars and to manage the very sensitive and difficult landing phase on Mars. Astrix 90 gyroscopes and accelerometers have been qualified for this very harsh environment and for the high speeds, accelerations and shocks of the landing phase.

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Attitude & Orbit Control Systems (AOCS)

Fiber-Optic Gyroscopes (FOG) for telecom satellites:
Astrix are space proven gyroscopes. With more than 6 million hours in orbit and 20 years of experience, they have a strong reputation for performance and reliability in space environment. Astrix gyroscopes can be used in all orbits (LEO, MEO and GEO) and also at Lagrange points and for interplanetary missions.

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Attitude & Orbit Control Systems (AOCS)

Fiber-Optic Gyroscopes (FOG) for Earth observation, strategic telecom satellites and constellations:
We provide fail-safe inertial solution for numerous space applications such as military and scientific satellites, global navigation satellites including Galileo, telecommunications and Earth observation satellites. iXblue has developed a dedicated gyroscope, Astrix NS, to address the new challenges of the space industry. It brings high-inertial performance and reliability in a compact design and at a competitive price.

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Navigation & Guidance

Inertial Navigation Systems for launchers:
Combining iXblue Fiber-Optic Gyroscope (FOG), iXblue, own vibrating accelerometers and a dedicated highly robust hybridization algorithm, the safety inertial navigation system (INS) dedicated to launchers is used on all Ariane 5 since 2020. It will be on board Ariane 6 from 2022.

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Laser communications between ground base stations, aircrafts and satellites

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ModBox reference transmitters and receivers for ground base stations.

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Muclock, Atomic clocks for ground base stations

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Laser communications between ground base stations, aircrafts and satellites

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ModBox reference transmitters and receivers for ground base stations.

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Muclock, Atomic clocks for ground base stations

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Laser communications between GEO, LEO satellites and Earth

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Multiplexers / Demultiplexers (Mux/Demux) based on a space-grade assembly process of micro-optics

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90° Optical Hybrids (COH) based on a space-grade assembly process of micro-optics

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Lithium Niobate electro-optical modulator components for high-speed space communication

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Rad Hard Space Grade Doped Fibers and FBGs

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Space Grade PM Gyro Fibers

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Integrated systems, sub-systems and modules:
– Low Noise Optical Amplifier (LNOA)
– Optical Channel Emitter (OCE)
– Optical Channel Receiver (OCR)

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Fully integrated Transceiver for high-speed space communications

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Laser communications between GEO, LEO satellites and Earth

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Multiplexers / Demultiplexers (Mux/Demux) based on a space-grade assembly process of micro-optics

See more
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90° Optical Hybrids (COH) based on a space-grade assembly process of micro-optics

See more
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Lithium Niobate electro-optical modulator components for high-speed space communication

See more
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Rad Hard Space Grade Doped Fibers and FBGs

See more
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Space Grade PM Gyro Fibers

See more
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Integrated systems, sub-systems and modules:
– Low Noise Optical Amplifier (LNOA)
– Optical Channel Emitter (OCE)
– Optical Channel Receiver (OCR)

See more
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Fully integrated Transceiver for high-speed space communications

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Inertial Navigation for Space

Space Proven Gyroscopes for Navigation, Attitude & Orbit Control Systems

Developed in partnership with Airbus Defence & Space since 2000, Astrix are high-performance space grade 3-axis Fiber-Optic Gyroscopes (FOGs) designed to withstand the challenges of harsh and radiative space environments.

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Laser communications in Space

Fibers, components and integrated systems for Optical Space Communications

iXblue masters the manufacturing of TRL9* “flight proven” optical components and systems. The company’ space-grade products and systems are robust by design and based on proven technology deployed in the harshest orbit (GEO). They also fit many requirement of the New Space market for LEO/MEO satellites and constellations

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Why You Should Choose iXblue

TRL9 optical solution

iXblue involvement in space is already substantial: with hundreds of TRL9 LiNbO3 modulators, more than 1000 km space qualified fibers currently flying, and the Astrix gyroscopes recording more than 6 million hours in orbit. Our products are either used onto the Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO), or onto the MEO and LEO satellites. The GEO imposes the more stringent operating conditions and has to operate during at least 20 years (average GEO satellites life expectancy), sustaining extreme temperature variations. The instruments and components are also exposed to strong vibrations and shocks during the spacecraft take-off and while flying through the atmosphere in the satellite deployment phase, the space vacuum and the dangerous solar radiations.

Competencies & Capabilities

With a dedicated team for space products for more than 20 years, iXblue has end to end control of its value chain, from the R&D carried out in its engineering offices through manufacturing in the company’s own production shops and quality control.

Production sites have large clean rooms for the manufacturing of space components and systems. Numerous skillful experts are available together with all the required means to develop, test and qualify products for space. iXblue supplies numerous space actors following ECSS standards.

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Brochures and datasheets

Brochure Solutions for Space Applications

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