NASA Satellite Load Cells

Satellite Load Cells

Application Summary

Within NASA’s Suomi NPP Satellite are five weather instruments. Commissioned by Raytheon, FUTEK designed two cryogenic satellite load cells for the Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard the satellite.

Products In Use

FUTEK designed two cryogenic satellite load cells able to operate within the cryoradiator of the VIIRS component at the extreme temperature of -184°C.

How it Works

  1. NASA’s Suomi NPP Satellite, in conjunction with the VIIRS instrument, is responsible for new advances in weather and environmental monitoring.
  2. FUTEK specifically worked with Raytheon to develop two cryogenic load cells to operate in orbit within the VIIRS instrument.
  3. The application requirements called for dual bridge, cryogenic temperatures up to -184°C, vacuum rated, shock and vibration tested, and able to operate post launch.

This application note was written by our partners FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology Inc.  Please note the image is just show for illustration purposes.   For further information, please contact us.

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