SPACE TECHNOLOGY

INDUSTRY EXPERTS 

Navitar manufactures space proven, ruggedized, high performance camera and lens systems for satellite imaging systems involving image capture and image analysis, optical navigation of spacecraft and satellite autonomous navigation, SpaceCam in-flight identification of debris and in-orbit data analysis, and in-space imaging tools to support ground breaking research and lab experiments.

Navitar has been designing and manufacturing lenses for NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and industry leading aerospace and defense OEMs for over 60 years.

In 1960, Navitar produced the Elgeet-Navitar 8mm F1.5 wide angle lens for TIROS-1, the world's first Television and Infrarer Weather Observation Satellite. In 1986, Navitar’s CZR-1 Ground Tracking Camera recorded the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. Today, NASA has selected Navitar's Pixelink industrial camera technology as the best solution for the demanding and rigid performance specifications of the Optical Navigation System of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) space project.

Navitar imaging lenses, camera systems, and custom lens assemblies are used in applications such as: 

  • Aircraft launch and recovery systems aboard Naval aircraft carriers
  • Mine detection equipment and Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Spacecraft navigation systems
  • Vehicle mounted, land based mobile drone detection systems
  • Unmanned aerial systems monitoring stages of rocket launches

 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY for Extreme Environments

Pixelink Camera Technology and NASA Orion Spacecraft Project

NASA selected Pixelink industrial camera technology as the best solution for the demanding and rigid performance specifications of the Optical Navigation Systems of the Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) spacecraft project. The navigation camera system, positioned in three locations on the Orion spacecraft, captures images of the Earth and Moon during launch and re-entry, enabling the spacecraft to independently calculate its position and velocity in cis-lunar space. This is critical for crew members onboard when adjusting their entry flight path angle for return to Earth under loss of communication and/or ground based navigation conditions.  

The Pixelink cameras were tested for vibration, temperature variances, radiation, shock, and vacuum pressure. With ruggedized packaging and housing, the units successfully withstand extreme environmental conditions of spaceflight.

5 MP CMOS - 1" optical format - USB 3.0 Camera - Spaceflight Launch and Re-entry Image Capture


Proudly working with:

  • NASA

  • International Space Station

  • NAVAIR

  • U.S. Department of Defense

  • U.S. Army - U.S. Navy - U.S. Air Force

  • Top U.S. Aerospace Companies

High Magnification Motorized Zoom Lens System for Reliable Testing

Navitar motorized 12X Zoom lens, as part of a sophisticated probe test platform being used at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has improved the quality and accuracy of high reliability chip testing. Chips are typically deployed in harsh atmospheres such as deep space. The probe tester is designed to be deployed in near-0 vacuum. The motorization of the probe tips, chip positioning, zoom and focus functions are required since the operator does not have access to these features from the chamber.

12X Zoom -  Motorization - Chip Testing - Measurement - NASA - Jet Propulsion Lab

Zoom Lens System for Increased Measurement Accuracy

Navitar Zoom 6000 high magnification lens system is being used aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to provide increased magnification of a directional solidified succinonitrile-camphor sample and improve accuracy of measuring dendritic side branch spacing and amplitude. The Directional Solidification Insert (scientific collaboration with Iowa State University, Northeastern University and University Aix-Marseille) in the DEvice for the study of Critical LIquids and Crystallization (DECLIC) facility is built and operated by Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES).

Zoom 6000 -  Increased Magnification - Improved Accuracy  - Measurement - ISS

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