e2v imaging sensors onboard NASA’s MESSENGER capture new images of Mercury, as it becomes the first spacecraft to orbit the planet

e2v supplied the CCD imaging sensors used in MESSENGER’s Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS), which comprises a multispectral wide-angle camera and a monochrome narrow-angle camera. The cameras map the rugged landforms and spectral variations on Mercury’s surface in monochrome, colour and stereo. The instrument is equipped with e2v CCD TH7888A, a 1024 x 1024 pixel frame transfer sensor, allowing up to 30 images per second, with antiblooming functionality and a possibility of 2×2 binning operation. These e2v imaging sensors had previously collected more than 1,200 images during each of MESSENGER’s three flybys of the planet.

e2v’s Marketing and Applications Manager, Bertrand De Monte, said “e2v is proud to be a part of NASA’s MESSENGER mission. This is another example of our imaging expertise providing leading levels of product performance and contributing to the pushing forward of boundaries, in this case a greater understanding of the planet Mercury.”
 

This is the first ever image of Mercury.
It was supplied by NASA at 5:20 am EDT on March 29th 2011.
PRESS OFFICE CONTACT:

Jessica Broom jessica.broom@e2v.com Tel: + 44 (0) 1 245 453 607

NOTES FOR EDITORS

e2v is a leading global provider of technology solutions for high performance systems; delivering solutions, sub-systems and components, to advanced systems companies, for specialist applications within medical & science, aerospace & defence, and commercial & industrial markets.

e2v is headquartered in the UK, employs approximately 1600 people, has design and production facilities across Europe and North America, and has a global network of sales and technical support offices. For the year ended 31 March 2010, e2v reported sales of over £200m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information visit e2v.com.