Measurement and Instrumentation

Nasa-køretøjet Perseverance med udstyr fra DTU Space ombord i aktion på Mars. (Foto: Nasa)

(Photo: NASA)

MEASUREMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS

In this division, we research and develop high-precision instruments for space missions, including navigation systems for climate research satellites, camera and navigations systems, and magnetometers for exploring planets and the solar system. We also use the instruments for research. In addition, we work to optimize the quality and reliability of space systems measurements. The division is headed by Professor John Leif Jørgensen.

Contact the division

Employees

We are a dedicated and diverse staff, which includes researchers, engineers, PhD students and other technical and administrative support staff. Our broad competence profile enables us to conduct research and develop space technology at a high international level. You will find the division's employees on the page here. (Photo: DTU Space/M. Schlosser)

Employees

Publications

We regularly publish scientific articles about new research in our division. The published work range widely, from descriptions of new technologies, application of technologies, and to discoveries in space with instruments developed in the division and used in missions by ESA, NASA and other partners. Every year we publish several articles in reputable scientific journals. (Photo: NASA)

Cooperation

We have a close collaboration with NASA and ESA as well as a large number of other reputable national and international space institutions and companies around the world. We have delivered equipment designed, developed and built here at DTU Space for over space 100 missions. And we are currently participating in several missions. (Photo: NASA)

Mission to the asteroid Psyche

In 2022 NASA plans to send an uncrewed spacecraft into space to explore the asteroid Psyche. This metal asteroid is orbiting the Sun and can provide new insights about the creation of our solar system. We have contributed with two magnetometers for the mission that will be used to investigate magnetic field of Psyche. Here we work with NASA, SpaceX, Yale and Caltech. (Illustration. NASA)

Jupiter optaget med Juno-missionen, som DTU Space deltager i. (Foto: Nasa/Kevin M. Gill)

(Image: NASA)

RESEARCH

We conduct research and development in navigation systems and magnetometer technology for space missions, measurement systems and technologies for space systems, and the calibration of space missions systems. We also explore of the solar system via participation in space missions with equipment developed at DTU Space.

Basic technological research

We research spacecraft instrumentation and cover all aspects, development, design, implementation, verification to end use of data from missions we participate in. We work with high performance space projects on technologies enabling future space missions. We work with ESA , NASA and other space professionals to deliver high-precision and robust solutions. Photo: DTU Space/M.Schlosser)

Space instrument design systems

We research design, development, construction, test and implementation of high-precision instrumentation for space missions. We develop high accuracy stellar reference units for spacecraft and science grade vector magnetometers for space. We also work on optical detection and tracking sensors for space. (Photo: DTU Space/Future Projects)

Space mission design

Space mission design includes design of all or parts of space missions. Typically in collaboration with international partners such as ESA and NASA. An example of this is the ESA mission Swarm where DTU Space has a leading role in both the scientific and the technical part of the mission. Another example is our technical and scientific contribution to NASA's JUNO mission. (Illustration: NASA)

Space exploration based on mission data

Concurrent development of instruments, technology systems and designs for space missions, scientific data derived from these missions are utilized to improve scientific research and maximize the value of the data returned from the same missions. This results in several scientific publications on new research every year. (Illustration: ESA)

The camera system from DTU Space as it could look in action on Mars (Illustration: NASA)

DTU Space contributes to NASA's Mars 2020 mission, which landed on the red planet in February to search for signs of past life. Our contribution consists of a camera (Micro Context Camera) and a flash system (Floodlight system), and a computer that processes data from the camera system. (Illustration: NASA)