Excelitas Qioptiq has a long and noble heritage in the space industry, fulfilling vital mission critical requirements for decades. Excelitas Qioptiq has been part of the exploration of our galaxy since 1971. We are now considered a key supplier and partner to the sectors global Primes.

Space qualified glass

Excelitas Qioptiq specialise in the design and manufacture of radiation-stable Optical Solar Reflectors (OSRs) and Coverglasses for Satellites, rovers and space vehicles. The glass components manufactured and supplied by Excelitas Qioptiq Space Technology are twofold: Coverglass is micro sheet glass processed to be incredibly tough and designed to protect the photovoltaic solar panels from the harsh environment of space and the widely varying temperature differentials. OSRs or Optical Solar Reflectors are small mirrors that protect the spacecraft from the sun and assist with the crafts internal thermal management. Without these components, the craft would falter and the mission fail.

With nearly 50 years of Space heritage, supplying Space qualified glass; we are the prime provider for the world’s satellite producers. Our unique Patented Glass formulations, performance enhancing coatings, high volume in-house manufacture and bespoke solutions make us the number one supplier for the space industry.

Atomic clock

The Excelitas Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) is an exceptionally high performance and high reliability space-qualified rubidium atomic clock developed for the GPS Navstar navigation satellites. Over 100 space qualified RAFS have been delivered to customers to support GPS-IIR, GPS-IIF, and QZSS navigation satellites. Excelitas’ RAFS technology is a critical part of each navigation satellite and is on more than 60 percent of the current GPS constellation – they have collectively amassed more than 250 operational years of performance.

Avalanche photodiodes

NASA: GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation – pronounced Jedi). For this mission, Excelitas Canada provided several hybrid receivers using our very best avalanche photodiodes. This will enable scientists to quantify the changes in vegetation density from the International Space Station by measuring the waveform of the light signal after it travels approximately 400 km through the atmosphere! Designed to deliver high resolution laser ranging of the Earth. The GEDI instrument is a geodetic-class, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) laser system delivering 3D surface measurement data enabling a better understand how the Earth behaves as a system.

Lighting

Excelitas is a world leader in the design and manufacture of reliable space vehicle lighting that is designed to perform in the harsh conditions of space. For over 35 years, numerous spacecraft and associated platforms and programs have benefitted from our space vehicle lighting.