- \n
- Monitoring the Earth\u2019s climate from space (TRL\u202f7\u20138)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Early stage detection and localisation of wildfires from high altitude (TRL\u202f4\u20135)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Eliminating satellite glare to preserve the night sky from light pollution (TRL\u202f2\u20134)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Boosting spacecraft solar panel efficiency through improved UVA capture (TRL\u202f2\u20134)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n
1. Monitoring the Earth’s Climate from Space\u00a0<\/h2>\n
A key driver of Nanovation\u2019s space activities was the adaptation of its Aluminium\u2011Gallium\u2011Oxide (Al)Ga\u2082O\u2083\u2011based UVC photodetectors for monitoring of the Herzberg continuum (200\u2013242\u202fnm) from space. This is a key, but challenging\u2011to\u2011study, spectral region, and a critical component of the Earth\u2019s radiation balance.<\/span><\/p>\n
Because UVC radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, space\u2011based observation is the only way to pursue the long\u2011term studies required to understand, monitor, and quantify impacts on the Earth\u2019s climate.<\/span><\/p>\n
Nanovation\u2019s (Al)Ga\u2082O\u2083 sensors were adapted for this mission in a three\u2011year project funded by the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche (\u201cDEVINS\u201d programme).<\/span><\/p>\n
As part of this development, the photodetectors underwent stringent qualification\u2011oriented testing under simulated space conditions, focused on stability, reproducibility, and long\u2011term robustness:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- Thermal cycling: repeated cycles over 230\u202fK to 340\u202fK, representative of orbital temperature variations<\/span><\/li>\n
- Vacuum operation: evaluation of stability and repeatability under low\u2011pressure conditions<\/span><\/li>\n
- Mechanical resistance: wire bond pull tests compliant with MIL\u2011STD\u2011883<\/span><\/li>\n
- Vibration: sinusoidal & broadband excitation from a few Hz to several kHz, consistent with launch conditions\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These tests established excellent device reliability and stability under representative mission constraints.<\/span><\/p>\n
The sensors were subsequently launched in 2023 aboard SpaceX Transporter\u202f7 and deployed on the UVSQ INSPIRE Sat\u202f7 CubeSat, where they have since been enabling successful in\u2011orbit monitoring of the Herzberg continuum, and validating the long\u2011duration robustness and radiation resistance of the sensors in the harsh space environment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.postimg.cc\/FFc5bFVr\/nanosat-final-grey-v6.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
2. High Altitude Wildfire Sensing and Localisation\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Nanovation was funded (through the European Space Agency \u201cPROMETHEUS\u201d project) to develop a prototype (Al)Ga\u2082O\u2083\u2011based solar\u2011blind UVC imaging system for early detection and localisation of fire ignition events from high\u2011altitude platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n
Concept and system approach<\/span><\/p>\n
This solution exploits the fact that weak UVC emission from flames can be unequivocally detected at long range, as the sensors are intrinsically immune to solar background signals. This enables reliable remote optical identification of ignition events.<\/span><\/p>\n
However, because a UVC imaging array alone provides limited spatial context, the system combines:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- solar\u2011blind UVC imaging<\/span><\/li>\n
- visible\u2011spectrum imaging for localisation and scene context<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This approach enables robust detection together with accurate localisation, where the visible channel provides the spatial reference required to interpret the UVC signal.<\/span><\/p>\n
Prototype demonstration<\/span><\/p>\n
As part of this programme, a fully integrated UVC\/VIS fusion imaging video camera prototype was developed and demonstrated, including:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- a (Al)Ga\u2082O\u2083\u2011based UVC detector array<\/span><\/li>\n
- a dedicated UV optical system and readout electronics<\/span><\/li>\n
- real\u2011time fusion of UVC and visible video streams<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Field tests of the prototype system successfully demonstrated:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- accurate localisation of a UVC emission source located at distances >\u202f100\u202fm<\/span><\/li>\n
- complete immunity to direct sunlight interference<\/span><\/li>\n
- real\u2011time detection and localisation capability<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.postimg.cc\/90cpqBB2\/Space-Camera.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRelevance for broader space applications<\/span><\/p>\n
This work establishes a pathway toward solid\u2011state alternatives to incumbent photomultiplier\u2011based detection systems in applications requiring low background noise and high selectivity.<\/span><\/p>\n
While initially developed for fire sensing, this work demonstrates a first\u2011generation solid\u2011state solar\u2011blind UVC imaging system, opening the way for a range of space\u2011based sensing and imaging applications beyond the PROMETHEUS use case.<\/span><\/p>\n
Because ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks UVC radiation, only space\u2011based operation can access this portion of the spectrum.<\/span><\/p>\n
In this context, the demonstrated system provides a foundation for:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- solar physics and space\u2011weather monitoring, where UVC imaging reveals high\u2011energy processes in the solar corona and chromosphere<\/span><\/li>\n
- atmospheric and planetary science, through detection of ozone and trace gases via spectral signatures<\/span><\/li>\n
- ultraviolet astronomy, targeting hot stars, ionised gases, and energetic astrophysical phenomena not visible at other wavelengths<\/span><\/li>\n
- spacecraft monitoring and contamination tracking, through detection of surface degradation and UV\u2011induced effects<\/span><\/li>\n
- instrument calibration and astrobiology studies, where controlled UVC sources and flux mapping are required<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
More broadly, this work demonstrates the feasibility of compact, low\u2011power solid\u2011state UVC imaging systems, positioning them as a credible alternative to legacy ultraviolet detection approaches in future space missions.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
3. Eliminating Satellite Glare to Preserve the Night Sky\u00a0<\/h2>\n
The rapid deployment of satellite constellations in recent years has created significant challenges due to sunlight reflected from satellite surfaces, disrupting ground\u2011based astronomical observations and night\u2011sky visibility.<\/span><\/p>\n
To address this issue, Nanovation has developed ZnO\u2011based nanostructured anti\u2011glare coatings, designed to suppress specular reflection and reduce sunlight reflected back toward Earth.<\/span><\/p>\n
A key innovation of this approach is that the coating is selectively deposited only on the most reflective elements of the satellite, in particular metallic features such as solar panel bus bars, which are dominant sources of glare.<\/span><\/p>\n
This is achieved through a patented deposition process, in which ZnO nanostructures preferentially form on metallic regions. As a result only the reflective parts of the system are modified<\/span><\/p>\n
This represents a targeted, materials\u2011level solution to satellite light pollution, fundamentally different from conventional anti\u2011reflection coatings.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
4. Boosting Space PV Efficiency Via Improved UV Capture\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Nanovation has shown that the enhanced UVA transparency of (Al)Ga\u2082O\u2083\u2011based transparent electrodes can significantly improve the efficiency of solar cells compared to conventional transparent conductor electrodes.<\/span><\/p>\n
While initially studied for terrestrial photovoltaic applications, this property is even more relevant for space\u2011based solar panels, where the solar spectrum contains a significantly higher ultraviolet fraction than at the Earth\u2019s surface.<\/span><\/p>\n
This approach opens pathways toward more efficient solar panels in space, where energy harvesting is a key limiting factor and access to a greater proportion of energy in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum represents a major advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Emerging Directions: X-Ray & High Energy Photon Detection\u00a0<\/h2>\n
In parallel with UVC developments, Nanovation is developing (Al)Ga\u2082O\u2083\u2011based detectors for X\u2011ray and high\u2011energy photon detection, currently at the laboratory demonstrator stage.<\/span><\/p>\n
These devices exhibit low dark signal and high sensitivity under low photon flux conditions, characteristics that are particularly relevant for space\u2011based scientific instrumentation, where signal levels are often limited.<\/span><\/p>\n
While still at an early stage of maturity, this work opens potential pathways toward:<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- compact X\u2011ray detectors for small satellite missions<\/span><\/li>\n
- low\u2011flux scientific instrumentation for planetary and deep\u2011space studies<\/span><\/li>\n
- radiation detection and monitoring systems<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These developments represent a longer\u2011term extension of Nanovation\u2019s oxide\u2011semiconductor platform toward high\u2011energy sensing applications in space.<\/span><\/p>\n
- low\u2011flux scientific instrumentation for planetary and deep\u2011space studies<\/span><\/li>\n
- atmospheric and planetary science, through detection of ozone and trace gases via spectral signatures<\/span><\/li>\n
- complete immunity to direct sunlight interference<\/span><\/li>\n
- a dedicated UV optical system and readout electronics<\/span><\/li>\n
- visible\u2011spectrum imaging for localisation and scene context<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Vacuum operation: evaluation of stability and repeatability under low\u2011pressure conditions<\/span><\/li>\n
- Early stage detection and localisation of wildfires from high altitude (TRL\u202f4\u20135)<\/span><\/li>\n