Compact, durable, space-ready radiation camera with advanced Timepix3 particle tracking. Vacuum-compatible, robust, temperature-stabilized; proven in space conditions.
Precision and durability in space particle tracking and imaging
ADVACAM provides cost-reducing technology for your satellite implemented for radiation mapping on the ISS, Gateway lunar station, and NASA Orion Spaceship.
The MiniPIX SPACE is a particle camera specifically designed to operate under demanding space conditions. It visualizes each charged particle that impacts the detector’s surface. Each particle leaves a unique track or imprint, allowing us to determine its composition, spectrum, and direction, which are visualized using our data-processing software, TraX Engine.
The MiniPIX SPACE is a compact, low-power radiation camera equipped with a Timepix3 or Timepix2 chip for precise particle tracking and imaging. Engineered for durability, it boasts enhanced mechanical properties. It has passed stringent environmental testing, including a humidity test, a tri-axial vibration test (x, y, z), and a thermal ambient test, all conducted under ECSS standards.
Primed for vacuum compatibility, the ADVACAM detectors in the camera can function effectively at air pressures lower than 10^-3 Pa. However, please ensure that the device is switched off during sudden pressure drops or pumping down or venting the vacuum chamber in indoor vacuum experiments. Our MiniPIX cameras have already been successfully employed onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and several satellites, demonstrating their reliability and robustness in demanding environments.
The Timepix3 detector accurately logs the position, energy, and time of arrival and tracks the shape of each ionizing particle, like an X-ray photon, providing an all-inclusive data set. It even allows for calculations on particle type, direction of flight, LET, charge, and more from the track shape. It is equipped with a passive cooling system and can be further cooled using a Peltier cooling device or a cooling plate attached to the detector’s back. The recommended temperature for optimal performance is 22°C.
Specifications
Readout chip type
Timepix3
Interface
LVDS UART
Pixel Pitch
55 μm
Readout speed
Number of pixels
256 x 256 pixels
Maximum frame rate
16 fps
Space Heritage
Yes
Effect area
14 x 14 mm
Min detectable energy
Pixel mode of operation
Sensor material
Si or CdTe or CZT
Time resolution
Sensor thickness
According to customer preference
Dimensions
Weight
< 140 g
Software
SPACE
Implemented on the International Space Station, NASA Artemis program, the Gateway Lunar Station or numerous satellites, our single particle detectors are revolutionizing space weather monitoring and radiation protection. Advacam’s cameras ensure safer and more efficient missions. Boasting a compact size and low-power consumption, these detectors excel in particle identification, energy measurement, and even determining the direction from which particles originate.