VIAVI Delivers Precision Components for NASA's Europa Clipper Mission

Rhea-AI Summary

VIAVI Solutions (NASDAQ: VIAV) has announced its contribution to NASA's Europa Clipper mission, providing a precision order sorting filter for the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE). The filter, combining photolithographically-patterned bandpass filters, a Linear Variable Filter, and assembled optics as a Butcher Block, is important for MISE's functionality in analyzing Europa's surface composition.

The instrument will map organics, salts, acid hydrates, and water ice phases on Jupiter's moon Europa, operating in the infrared range from 0.8 to 5 micrometers. The mission, launched on October 14, 2024, will reach Jupiter's orbit in April 2030 and conduct 49 flybys of Europa to assess the moon's potential habitability.

Positive

• Secured contract for NASA's high-profile Europa Clipper mission
• Demonstrates company's advanced technological capabilities in precision optical coatings
• Long-term project visibility through 2030 mission timeline

Negative

• None.

Precision order sorting filter for the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE)

CHANDLER, Ariz., Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VIAVI Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today announced its contribution to NASA's Europa Clipper mission. Leveraging its decades of leadership in precision thin film optical coatings for mission-critical space applications, VIAVI supplied a precision order sorting filter for the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE) on the Europa Clipper spacecraft.

A vital instrument on the spacecraft, MISE is designed to analyze the surface composition of Jupiter's moon Europa and determine the habitability of its subsurface ocean by mapping the distribution of organics, salts, acid hydrates, and water ice phases. VIAVI's precision order sorting filter helps ensure the optimal performance of MISE, enabling it to capture high-resolution spectral data in the infrared range from 0.8 to 5 micrometers.

The filter brings together three key capabilities: photolithographically-patterned bandpass filters, a Linear Variable Filter (LVF) and both optics assembled as a Butcher Block. VIAVI and NASA collaborated to tackle key technical challenges in developing the unique precision order sorting filter, such as addressing the slope of the wavelength progression, co-planarity of the assembled optic, placement of the LVF center wavelengths relative to the alignment fiducials and a challenging radiation environment.

"We are honored to support NASA's mission to explore one of the most intriguing moons in our solar system," said Luke Scrivanich, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Optical Security and Performance, VIAVI. "Our team's dedication to precision engineering has allowed us to meet the stringent requirements necessary for space exploration instruments like MISE."

The Europa Clipper mission launched on October 14, 2024. It will begin orbiting Jupiter in April 2030, after which it will fly past Europa 49 times to conduct detailed reconnaissance of the moon. Data collected by MISE and other instruments will provide invaluable insights into the moon's potential to support life.

About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Media Inquiries:
Grand Bridges
Emma Jenkins
emma@grandbridges.com
+1 415 800 4529

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viavi-delivers-precision-components-for-nasas-europa-clipper-mission-302342976.html

SOURCE VIAVI Solutions

FAQ

What component did VIAVI (VIAV) provide for NASA's Europa Clipper mission?

VIAVI provided a precision order sorting filter for the Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE) instrument on the Europa Clipper spacecraft.

When will NASA's Europa Clipper mission, featuring VIAV's technology, reach Jupiter?

The Europa Clipper mission will reach Jupiter's orbit in April 2030, following its launch on October 14, 2024.

How many flybys will the Europa Clipper mission, using VIAV's filter, perform?

The Europa Clipper mission will conduct 49 flybys of Europa to gather detailed reconnaissance data of the moon.

What is the spectral range of VIAV's filter for the Europa Clipper MISE instrument?

VIAVI's precision order sorting filter enables MISE to capture spectral data in the infrared range from 0.8 to 5 micrometers.

What are the key components of VIAV's precision order sorting filter for NASA?

The filter combines three key capabilities: photolithographically-patterned bandpass filters, a Linear Variable Filter (LVF), and both optics assembled as a Butcher Block.