Simera Sense has expanded its production capabilities with the installation of new Zygo Fizeau interferometers at its Somerset West facility. These ultra-precise instruments are critical to the alignment and calibration of optical components in Simera’s high-resolution satellite imagers, which operate from altitudes around 500 km. Built in advanced cleanrooms by expert technicians, these imagers enable detailed Earth observation across a variety of spectral bands, including monochrome, colour, multi-, and hyperspectral configurations.
The Zygo interferometers ensure that each imager meets the exacting standards required for spaceborne applications. In addition to supporting current production, the new interferometer stations will also accelerate Simera Sense’s R&D efforts, driving innovation in next-generation Earth observation technology.
With applications ranging from monitoring plant vegetation health and water content to identifying soil types and geological features for geological mapping, Simera’s imagers contribute to critical insights in agriculture, climate, and resource management, demonstrating the profound impact of precision optics on our understanding of the world.
Zygo Fizeau interferometers were installed by Labotec, who locally represent Zygo as distributors.
