Satellites reflecting sunlight back to Earth are contributing to light pollution that distorts space telescope images and complicates astronomical research. Surrey NanoSystems addresses this challenge with Vantablack, an ultrablack coating technology, with its Vantablack 310 series being prepared for use on the Jovian 1 satellite.
To prove its effectiveness, Ansys partner CADFEM built a glare-shield proof of concept using Ansys Speos optical and lighting simulation software. Surrey NanoSystems now relies on Speos to generate data-driven stray-light images and heat maps for customers, and to optimize designs, such as satellite optical baffles, before production. The company also plans to use Ansys Zemax OpticStudio earlier in customers’ design processes, extending Vantablack’s use toward future lunar and Mars missions.
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