Lynred Developing Advanced Satellite Multispectral Sensor

Lynred, a leading company based in France, has recently secured a significant contract to develop an advanced multispectral sensor and detector for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel-2 NG mission. This project, undertaken by Lynred in Grenoble, aims to design cutting-edge technology for satellites that will collect imagery of land surface features and landscape patterns using visible and infrared sensing. The primary objective is to support various sectors such as agriculture, forestry, climate monitoring, and disaster management.

The multispectral sensor being developed by Lynred will play a crucial role in the Sentinel-2 Next-Generation (NG) land monitoring satellite mission. This initiative is part of the European Commission Copernicus NG program and represents a significant step forward in satellite technology. Lynred's involvement in the pre-development phase of the project, known as Phase A/B1, underscores the company's commitment to enhancing performance and accuracy at the system level.

One of the key aspects of the project is the design of a multispectral infrared detector that meets the specific requirements of the Sentinel-2 NG mission. Lynred aims to improve survey accuracy by reducing the ground sample distance and introducing new spectral bands. The first prototype of the sensor is expected to be ready by 2026, with satellites incorporating this technology set to launch in 2030.

With the new sensor technology, the upcoming satellites will offer enhanced resolution capabilities, providing 5m resolution in the visible spectrum and 10m resolution in the infrared spectrum. This represents a significant improvement over the current Sentinel-2 mission, which offers resolutions of 10m and 20m in the respective spectra.

The multispectral sensor will feature five or six detection lines, each consisting of approximately 2,000 pixels at a 15-micron pitch. Lynred's design encompasses the entire detector, including the Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC) and the detection circuit based on Mercury Cadmium Telluride. The company's expertise in developing space-grade packaging ensures that the infrared detector will seamlessly integrate into the Sentinel-2 NG satellite payload.