Skip to main content

Nigeria gains satellite imaging resource

The Earth observation satellite, NigeriaSat-2, has been launched into space with high performance CCD image sensors from e2v onboard. The satellite will provide Nigeria with valuable geographically referenced high-resolution satellite imaging for applications in mapping, water resources management, agricultural land use, population estimation, health hazard monitoring and disaster mitigation and management.

The satellite was developed for the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) of Nigeria and the e2v image sensors integrated into a focal plane array by SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd) UK.

The e2v high-resolution focal plane for the instrument was built with an array of five charge coupled device (CCD) CCD31-40 imaging sensors. CCD31-40 is an 8,192 x 1 pixel device with 12µm square pixels with readout via two registers, one above and one below the image region. The registers are split in the middle and terminated in four separate output amplifiers. There are also five multispectral bands that cover the spectrum from 450nm to 900nm.

SSTL mounted appropriate filters over some of the CCDs to give the required colour information. A significant feature of the focal plane design is a new packaging technique, developed at e2v, in which the five devices are mounted in very close parallel with each other and co-planar to <10µm.

'We are extremely pleased with e2v's support to this programme,' said Paul Carter (SSTL project manager for development of the imager). 'The CCDs provide excellent performance factors and were delivered on time.'

Topics

Media Partners