Axon' interconnects onboard Lisa Pathfinder

4 Dec 2015

On 3nd December, the scientific satellite Lisa Pathfinder took off from the space base in Kuru on board a Vega launcher. Its role: to test and validate advanced technologies which will be used for LISA, a mission which aims at directly detecting gravitational wave as predicted by Albert Einstein. With their interconnects solutions that equip this pioneering mission and VEGA launcher, Axon’ could contribute to fundamental scientific discoveries about our Universe.

Reliable data transmission for high tech technologies

The mission of the LISA Pathfinder (LPG) is essential: to validate advanced technologies which will be re-used for LISA, the observatory of gravitational waves made up of 3 satellites which should be launched within the next 20 years if the LPF mission is successful. This scientific mission would bring direct evidence of the existence of gravitational waves produced by accelerating masses (neutron stars or black holes). Measuring devices which are onboard LPF are extremely precise. The links made by Axon’ to the MIL-STD-1553 standard have to transmit data between onboard electronics devices. They provide a communication network which guarantees data security and signal integrity. These highly reliable interconnects represent a good weight/dimension compromise. The same kind of harnesses equip the VEGA launcher. For LPF, Axon’ has also supplied ESA cabling wires designed to resist radiation and extreme temperatures.

Scientific and space expertise

This is not the first time that Axon’ has played a role in major scientific discoveries. Numerous cable assemblies and miniature connectors are installed on the Atlas detector of LHC, the most powerful particle accelerator in the world which has confirmed the existence of the Higgs-Boson particle. Axon’ engineers are also involved in the ITER project. The company has been designing and manufacturing interconnects for space and Martian projects for many years.

Photos: ESA, Axon' Cable