DFB 852 nm successfully operated in space for 11 years!
| EAGLEYARD’s Laser Diodes Power the GAIA Mission – A Milestone in Space Exploration After more than 11 years in space, ESA’s GAIA mission—one of the most ambitious astronomical projects ever—has come to an end. This extraordinary space telescope has mapped the Milky Way with unprecedented precision, providing a treasure trove of data that will fuel discoveries for decades. At TOPTICA EAGLEYARD, we are honored to have played a crucial role in this mission. Two of our DFB-852 Laser Diodes were installed on GAIA to ensure the precise alignment of its twin telescopes. These highly specialized single-frequency laser diodes—housed in a 14-pin butterfly package—are the core components for the Basic Angle Monitoring system and helped maintain the telescope’s optical stability, enabling it to create the most accurate 3D map of our galaxy ever produced. We can proudly report that the nominal diode is still working well and that there was no need to activate the redundant laser diode – even after 11 years which are incredible 132 months or 96,360 hours. GAIA’s Legacy in Numbers 📡 3 trillion observations of nearly 2 billion celestial objects 🌍 The sharpest and most complete 3D map of the Milky Way 📏 Measurement of stellar positions, movements, and distances with unparalleled accuracy 🛰️ New insights into galactic evolution, exoplanets, and fundamental astrophysics GAIA’s journey may be over, but its impact will be felt for generations. At EAGLEYARD, we take pride in advancing photonics technology to support groundbreaking missions, proving once again that precision optics and laser technology are key to unlocking the mysteries of the universe. |
