Fiberoptic components go to the Moon
Sira Electro-Optics Division (Chislehurst, England) plans to explore the behavior of fiberoptic systems in space as the result of a contract from the European Space Agency (Paris, France). The company will review the suitability of using fiberoptic components for missions to the Moon and Mars. Work includes testing components under launch, orbit, and on-site conditions. The components will be used for high-speed data transfer, communication networks, and fiber-based measurement systems.Written guidelines and recommendations on how to select fiber components for specific duties in space and on other planets will be provided at the end of the two-phase contract. Financial details of the contract were not provided.
