Simera Sense

🚀 News Flash! 🚀 I’m excited to share the successful completion of the Thermal Vacuum Optical System (TVOS) project, which I had the privilege of managing from conceptualization to closure. This project marks a major milestone in space environmental simulation testing, specifically for the CubeSat and aerospace optical payload sectors. What is TVOS? 🌡️ 💨🔭 TVOS is an advanced next-generation testing environment designed to simulate space conditions for end-to-end optical payload validation. It’s modular, allowing for A-Thermal design verification of the optical front end. How Does TVOS Differ from TVC? 🔄 Unlike traditional Thermal Vacuum Chambers (TVC), which are mainly used for structural and performance testing in a vacuum, TVOS focuses on space imaging system testing. It eliminates issues like window deformation, cooling problems, and long error analysis times when you use TVC with a collimator target through a vacuum window. With TVOS, the auto-collimator works inside the vacuum environment, improving focus retention testing and correlation with simulations. Plus, it operates in an ISO7-classified cleanroom, ensuring superior testing conditions with minimal contamination. Why Design and Develop TVOS? 💻📐🛠️ Choosing the right TVC was a challenge due to high costs, long lead times, and a lack of off-the-shelf solutions in South Africa and Africa. Simera Sense, we seized the opportunity to develop TVOS, ensuring we could meet our needs and provide our clients with cutting-edge optical payload testing solutions. Leading the TVOS Project 🎯 Managing this project from start to finish has been an incredible journey. Overcoming technical challenges, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring seamless execution have deepened my expertise in technical project leadership, risk management, procurement, financial management and stakeholder collaboration. A Guiding Principle 🧩 A phrase from our CEO, Johann Du Toit—“Take the Bull by the Horns”—has guided me throughout this project. Moving to Cape Town and joining the team was a big step outside my comfort zone, but the challenges have been rewarding. The key takeaway: communication is everything! Pushing through barriers and learning from mistakes has been invaluable in driving this project forward. The Future of Earth Observation 🛰️🌍 With TVOS, Simera Sense is at the forefront of Earth observation technology, making it efficient, affordable, and scalable for the next generation of space missions. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and I look forward to seeing how TVOS will shape the future of optical payload testing. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to our Client Relations Manager or Marketing Team at Simera Sense! Let’s connect! 🚀 #TVOS #SpaceTechnology #Aerospace #CubeSat #Innovation #OpticalPayload #SimeraSense

We are excited to be heading to the Space Foundation #40thSpaceSymposium in Colorado Springs next week! Meet with Thys Cronje, Johann Du Toit and Kammy Brun to chat about your optical payload needs. See you there!