Tartu-based Estonian space-technology company CrystalSpace has secured a place in the supply chains of NASA and Maxar Technologies with cameras designed for lunar operations.
The company’s CS-151 “Kodas” cameras are being used as a stereo pair on Maxar’s SAMPLR robotic arm, which is part of NASA’s Artemis lunar programme, according to Crystalspace’s product information.
Building cameras for lunar operations
Maxar selected CrystalSpace in 2021 to supply two cameras for the Sample Acquisition, Morphology Filtering, and Probing of Lunar Regolith, or SAMPLR, payload. The cameras provide visual feedback for the robotic arm as it collects lunar regolith samples.
SAMPLR was one of 12 externally developed payloads selected by NASA in 2019 through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. The programme supports lunar delivery services that advance science, exploration and commercial development of the Moon.
Jaan Viru, founder of CrystalSpace, said the cameras would face demanding conditions during launch and the mission: “During take-off and the entire mission, the cameras will be subjected to extreme conditions and temperatures from -173 to +100 degrees Celsius that occur on the Moon. We are proud to provide our profound knowledge and experience with satellite camera systems to Maxar’s SAMPLR arm.”
Engineering for extreme conditions
The CS-151 “Kodas” is designed for satellites, landers and rovers, supporting tasks including robotic-arm monitoring, terrain mapping and situational awareness. The cameras are designed and assembled in Estonia using traceable, NATO-sourced components, and the product is ITAR-free.
CrystalSpace developed the camera system with Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu and Estonian technology company Krakul. Krakul’s account of the project said the collaboration helped accelerate development to meet a tight deadline and stringent requirements.
From Estonian research to international supply chains
The company was founded by core developers of the University of Tartu’s ESTCube-1 nanosatellite mission, which reached orbit in 2013. The project brought together CrystalSpace’s system integration, camera design and optics with Tartu Observatory’s testing expertise and Krakul’s electronics and embedded-software capabilities.
Mihkel Pajusalu, Associate Professor of Space Technology and Head of the Space Technology Department at Tartu Observatory, said: “Together with other recent Estonian advances in space, it shows that Estonia has become a recognized space country and proves the importance of both space technology and technology education in Estonia in general.”
Jaan Hendrik Murumets, CEO of Krakul, added: “Sending one’s development to the Moon is every engineer’s dream. Krakul’s solutions can be found on Earth, in space and the depths of the seas, and now also on the surface of the Moon.”
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