Filters by Optics Balzers utilised in the CaSSIS camera system sent to Mars

Photo by University of Bern

The first of two joint ESA-Roscosmos missions to Mars has begun a seven-month journey to the Red Planet on a Proton-M rocket. The European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) will carry out investigations to try to determine the biological or geological origin of important trace gases on Mars. Schiaparelli will test key landing technologies for ESA’s contributions to subsequent missions to Mars.

The camera system CaSSIS (Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System) designed and built at the Center of Space and Habitability (CSH) of the University of Bern was launched to space with the ExoMars on March 14. The instrument will obtain stereo images of the surface in colour at a resolution of better than 5 m.

Optics Balzers Jena delivered a single monolithic radiation resistant fused silica substrate with filters deposited on it. Different coatings with different transmission properties cover the substrate and produce the CaSSIS Filter Strip Assembly (FSA) of the Focal Plane System.

For more information, please visit http://www.opticsbalzers.com.

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