Optics

Optical components from ISP Optics are part of Mars Exploration program

May 20, 2021

The company’s zinc sulfide midwave-infrared (MWIR) lens and beamsplitter are critical components of the tunable laser spectrometer (TLS) instrument on the Mars Curiosity Rover.

LFW Staff

Key features of the tunable laser spectrometer (TLS), one of the instruments within the laboratory suite named Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) aboard NASA's Curiosity Mars rover, are shown. The upper half of the graphic is a schematic illustration of TLS, and the lower half is a photograph of it from before its installation into SAM.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL; Pasadena, CA) recently confirmed that optical elements manufactured by ISP Optics, a subsidiary of optical and infrared (IR) components and assemblies manufacturer LightPath Technologies (both in Orlando, FL), are supporting the Mars Curiosity Rover’s efforts in the NASA Science Exploration Program.

ISP Optics’ zinc sulfide midwave-infrared (MWIR) lens and beamsplitter are critical components of the tunable laser spectrometer (TLS) instrument on the Mars Curiosity Rover.

LightPath Technologies’ optical solutions are supporting other missions aboard the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle, and numerous satellites. The company’s headquarters, located in the middle of Central Florida’s Space Coast, is conducive to its increasing presence in outer space; it also collaborates frequently with the College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida (CREOL).

Source: LightPath Technologies press release

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LFW Staff

Published since 1965, Laser Focus World—a brand and monthly magazine for engineers, researchers, scientists, and technical professionals—provides comprehensive global coverage of optoelectronic technologies, applications, and markets. With 80,000+ qualified print subscribers in print and over a half-million annual visitors to our online content, we are the go-to source to access decision makers and stay in-the-know.