CASSIOPEE II: A Game-Changer for Astronomy

Standing for Advanced Concepts and Innovative Subsystems for the Extremely large telescope, the project brings together key players in adaptive optics developement. Led by First Light Imaging, the consortium also includes the Marseille Astrophysics Laboratory (LAM), the French Aerospace Lab (ONERA), and Bertin Alpao.

The aim of the project is to develop a complete state-of-the-art second-generation of Adaptive Optics loop that it could be used, for instance, for the Chile’s ELT in order to accelerate the research of exoplanets and detection of extraterrestrial life. With this new system, the scientists will be able to obtain higher resolution and more dynamic images.

Cutting-Edge Technology for Future Telescopes

Scheduled for completion in 2028, the CASSIOPEE II system will feature:

• A high-performance SWIR camera (512×512 pixels, 2000 fps) by Oxford Instruments First Light Imaging
• An innovative Deformable Mirror with at least 20×20 actuators and integrated electronics designed and manufactured by Bertin Alpao
• An AO loop testing phase led by the ONERA and the Marseille Astrophysics Laboratory (LAM)

The adaptive optics system will also contribute to emerging markets such as optical telecommunications, space debris tracking and greenhouse gaz analysis from space.

Partnerships

Bertin Alpao worked with The French State, BpiFrance, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (AURA) and Minalogic to have the project selected on the France 2030 I-DEMO collaborative project call. The initial round of financing, totaling more than €600,000, takes the form of a grant and is supported (co-labeled) by Minalogic, the digital technology competitiveness cluster of the AURA region, as well as AKTANTIS, the PACA region’s competitiveness cluster, and TOPLINK INNOVATION.

It is a great honor for us to be able to contribute to the technologies that will revolutionize astronomy and optical telecommunication alongside greats partners and with the support of the French State.