Lens Research and Development (Lens R&D) is a small company that specializes in the production of high reliability Sunsensors for space applications. The sensors are not only reliable enough to be used on the most expensive ESA missions, but also small enough to be used on small satellites. Optimised for volume production the products are especially suited for constellation applications.
The design and verification activities require in depth knowledge of optical instrumentation and ESA level qualification and verification processes. Next to knowledge about specific material properties and component manufacturing processes, the products extensively use the latest in automated assembly processes as well custom build sensors. These sensors use specific technologies and design modifications to ensure the components are radiation hardened and able to fulfil the stringent requirements associated with the use in demanding satellite applications.
The compact but very experienced team spans all required disciplines to fulfil the ESA ECSS requirements in relation to product and quality assurance. The highly specialized equipment which is specifically designed to assemble qualify and verify the products is positioned in the dedicated ISO class 8 cleanroom. Additional ISO class 5 clean benches inside this cleanroom that are used for assembly and inspection purposes ensure optimum quality and cleanliness.
The main products currently on offer are the analogue fine Sunsensor types BiSon64-ET and BiSon64-ET-B. Both sensors are qualified to very high levels of environmental loading and an extended temperature range of -125°C..+125°C. This makes them suited for assembly on extendable solar panels of Geostationary satellites, as well as interplanetary rovers.
More recently Lens R&D introduced the first true radiation hardened cubesat Sunsensor build with diodes that have been tested up to 9.2Mrad without failure.