Euclid NISP NI-CU
NI-CU Flight Model successfully integrated
Dec 2018: vHS developed the LED calibration unit (NI-CU) for the Near Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP) instrument for the ESA Euclid Mission. The Flight Model was delivered at the mid of last year and has now been integrated into the NISP Instrument. The photograph shows the calibration unit (NI-CU) on the main NISP structure (black).
The development of the NI-CU requires the manufacture and qualification of Infrared LEDs to be operated in a space environment at cryogenic temperatures. The use of LEDs sources is a novel approach replacing the traditional technology of tungsten filament lamps and integrating spheres. Our new solution provides a more compact and mass/power efficient method. In order to qualify LEDs for use in space, significant testing of LED performance at cold temperatures must be undertaken as well as more traditional component testing. Special test systems have been developed by vH&S to allow for cryogenic performance testing of multiple parts.
The work was performed under contract to our customer Max Planck Institut für Astronomie and is funded by DLR.
Image source, tweet of Euclid_NISP (https://twitter.com/Euclid_NISP/status/1075672809475592192)