ESA officials plan to launch six satellites under the MTG program. The prime contractor for the MTG satellites is Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, France.
Sofradir will deliver to Thales Alenia Space custom-designed IR detectors for two MTG payloads: the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) to take IR images of clouds, and the InfraRed Sounder (IRS) to analyze the chemical composition of the atmosphere versus altitude. The Sofradir IR sensors will operate wavelengths that extend from short wave infrared (SWIR) to very long wave infrared (VLWIR) to identify and measure various types of clouds and chemical elements. In total, Sofradir will develop six different types of detectors.
Sofradir's MCT IR technology is applicable in all wavelengths from the visible to very long wave IR, so company engineers can use one production line to manufacture IR detectors in different wavelengths, and supply IR detectors in large volume production and customized designs efficiently, company officials say.
For more information contact Sofradir online at www.sofradir.com, the European Space Agency at www.esa.int, or Thales Alenia Space at www.thalesgroup.com.