Mars Curiosity rover images courtesy Teledyne Dalsa
Staff
Electronics CELTeledyne DALSA is pleased to offer its most sincere congratulations to NASA and JPL on the successful deployment of the Mars Science Laboratory rover "Curiosity" in Gale Crater on Mars. Curiosity is the largest rover ever launched by NASA, and it will be used to determine whether Mars is, or ever has been, hospitable to microbial life.
Teledyne DALSA is proud to contribute to the mission’s success. The image sensors for the Curiosity’s Navcams and Hazcams were built in our Bromont, Quebec, semiconductor foundry, as were those on the previous Spirit and Opportunity rovers. The hazard avoidance cameras are installed on each corner of the rover and the 3D stereoscopic navigation cameras are part of the rover’s camera mast.
These image sensors represent only a part of Teledyne’s overall contributions to the launch, landing, and operation of the mission. No fewer than five Teledyne companies contributed components crucial to the mission’s success:
- Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc. (TESI) developed the thermoelectric system that powers the rover. TESI’s Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) converts the heat of plutonium decay into electric power with no moving parts. It can produce 125 watts of electrical power from 2000 watts of thermal power for up to 14 years. TESI is currently under contract to manufacture MMRTG units to power upcoming NASA missions to the outer planets.
- Teledyne Microelectronics manufactured for JPL two complex radio frequency (RF) modules (Transmit/Receive and Up/Down Module) for the MSL. These modules are part of the terminal descent and landing unit which played a major role in the last critical 30 seconds of the lander’s approach to Mars.
- Teledyne Relays supplied electromechanical relays used on Curiosity’s communication suite. The company supplied similar components for the earlier Spirit and Opportunity rover.
- Teledyne Impulse supplied electromechanical power transfer switches that were used on the Atlas V rocket that launched the mission.
“It gives me great pride to be able to contribute to a project that poses such technical challenges and holds such promise for the advancement of science and knowledge,” observed Robert Mehrabian, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Teledyne. “I am also delighted to see how many ways and in how many places Teledyne contributes. From the deepest parts of this planet’s oceans to the mountains of Mars and out past the edges of our solar system, Teledyne technology enables exploration, analysis, and communication.”
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