OptoSigma's Optics Go to Mars!

OptoSigma’s Optical Components Go to Mars

Santa Ana, August 3, 2020 – OptoSigma announced (19) of their optical components have been installed in the SuperCam, a remote optical sensing instrument equipped on NASA’s Mars Rover Perseverance. The Rover Perseverance had a successful launch on July 30, 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and is scheduled to land in the Jezero Crater on the Red Planet on February 18, 2021.

OptoSigma Europe, OptoSigma USA and Sigma Koki in the Sigma Koki Group have cooperated in sales, technology and production of the optical components for Mars Rover Perseverance. OptoSigma Europe and OptoSigma USA have been working in collaboration with the French Laboratory Observatoire de Paris in France (Paris Observatory), Los Alamos National Laboratories (LNL) in Los Alamos, NM and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, respectively. Nearly (50) percent of the optics onboard the rover’s SuperCam such as mirrors, lenses, and prisms are supplied by the Sigma Koki group, OptoSigma.

Mounted on the head of the rover’s mast, the SuperCam acquires high-resolution images of samples with a remote color micro imager.  The SuperCam integrates remote Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Raman Spectroscopy, Time Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TRF), and Visible and Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy capabilities.

The main objectives of Perseverance are to search and assess for signs of ancient life, to collect rock and soil samples that could be returned to Earth, and to prove new technology for future robotic and human exploration.

Optical components supplied by the Sigma Koki group (OptoSigma) have passed a variety of rigorous tests, such as vacuum, temperature, humidity, and heat cycle tests, conducted by external agencies specialized for testing to withstand the operation in special and harsh climatic conditions on Mars, while meeting the advanced optical requirements needed for the Mars exploration. The OptoSigma products prove to be high quality and yield the required durability and stability standards. 

“It is a great honor for the Sigma Koki group (OptoSigma) to work with the world-renowned Paris Observatory, LNL and JPL on the Perseverance project. This project highlights our capabilities and over forty years of manufacturing experience, to enable the support of highly specialized applications and use environments.  We look forward to many more years of successful collaborations”, says Guy Ear, CEO and President, OptoSigma Europe S.A.S. and OptoSigma Corporation.