HUBER+SUHNER brings together the Swiss Space Photonics community at its Herisau site

On Monday, April 15 2024, HUBER+SUHNER was delighted to welcome delegates and speakers to attend its ‘Photonics in Space’ workshop. The event was hosted by Thomas Paul, Vice President and Market Manager for IND Aerospace together with Matthias Bleibler, Vice President FO Research & Development, at the HUBER+SUHNER facility in Herisau,  Switzerland. 

The workshop was conducted in collaboration with Swissmem Space Group , Swissphotonics, and Switzerland Innovation Park Ost.

The agenda consisted of several components and themes including: 

• A quick-stop tour covering our manufacturing competencies on the FO factory floor 
• Presentations by (1) Menhir Photonics AG on robust frequency combs for system synchronisation in spacecraft, and (2) research by CSEM on laser characterisation for LISA, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), a satellite configuration establishing an equilateral triangle with sides 2.5 million kilometres long for detection of gravitational waves
• “World Café” format sessions with rotating participant groups covering themes of “Passive Optical Components”, “Optoelectronics” , “Optical Sensors”, and “Experience in Product Development for Space”

With lowered launch costs through reusable rockets and increased commercialization, space has become an economically viable zone to play in. Concurrently, satellites need to conform with augmented performance requirements that include high data rate capabilities. Photonics plays a vital role in this.

This workshop was a key stop for HUBER+SUHNER to bring together organisations that are active at the intersection between space and photonics, and to provide a platform for the Swiss Space Photonics community to meet and stimulate exchange. 

The workshop was attended by over 30 external participants, resulting in deep insights gained into the techno-economic state of the Space Photonics industry.

If you would like to know more about our Photonics in Space workshop or our vital work in Aerospace, please contact us.