Optics Serving the Aerospace Industry
Develop, validate, and industrialize your space technologies with a domain expert partner.
Space missions demand an exceptional level of reliability and precision. INO supports organizations seeking to transform an idea, a scientific concept, or a prototype into a fully operational, space-ready product. Our activities range from instrument development to the production of critical components, including preparation for environmental qualification.
Your Challenges
As a player in the space sector—whether an agency, industrial company, start-up, or research centre—you face recurring challenges and aim to:
- Reduce technical risks from the earliest stages of development.
- Accelerate technology maturity (TRL) to meet mission requirements.
- Ensure instrument reliability and stability, even in extreme environments.
- Control costs and timelines in a context where every iteration matters.
- Identify partners capable of delivering high-level optical and photonic expertise.
Whether for scientific missions, commercial applications, or government projects, success depends on the ability to develop robust, tested systems that comply with space requirements.
Your Objectives
- Transform a concept or prototype into a functional instrument meeting scientific or operational requirements.
- Develop new optical or photonic subsystems requiring advanced expertise in design, manufacturing, integration, and qualification for the space environment.
- Deliver an infrared product or component.
- Rely on a partner capable of playing a key role throughout development, up to production transfer or short-run manufacturing.
Application Areas
We are involved in most optical and photonic applications within the space sector, including:
Communications
Astronomy
Astronaut Health Monitoring
Earth Observation
Space and Lunar Exploration
What INO Takes On
You benefit from comprehensive, fully managed support:
- End-to-end management of optical and photonic development
- Production of space-grade prototypes
- Short-run manufacturing when required
- Documentation, quality controls, and standardized procedures
- Support for qualification and transfer to industrialization
- Seamless collaboration with your scientific, engineering, and mission teams
OUR TAILORED OFFERING
INO supports the entire development cycle, from TRL 1 to TRL 8, based on your mission needs.
Development of a Complex Optical Component
- Functional analysis and requirements definition
- Optical, photonic, and optomechanical design
- Prototyping, manufacturing, and optimization
- Performance testing and concept refinement
- Preparation for technology maturity scale-up
Product Manufacturing
- Development of a product meeting specific requirements
- Assembly, integration, and verification
- Small-series manufacturing for qualification or pilot missions
- Technical documentation and transfer to production
Specialized Services
- Environmental testing (vibration, thermal, vacuum, etc.)
- High-precision optical characterization and metrology
- Microfabrication for critical components
- Optomechanical design adapted to launch and operational constraints
Why Choose INO?
Recognized Technical Expertise
Mastery of Space Requirements
Risk Reduction Capability
Flexible and Collaborative Approach
From Idea to Product
So far NFIRAOS was just a concept with a very long list of requirements. Now we have a detailed final design ready for fabrication. INO is turning our concept into reality!
Our Achievements
Manufacturing of an Infrared Camera Core
Client: EarthDaily Analytics
Project: Multispectral infrared imaging in the MWIR and LWIR bands
Application: Earth observation via satellite, including early wildfire detection, as well as monitoring and mapping soil temperatures for agricultural applications
Production: 20 units
Thanks to INO and our other partners, we're on track to fundamentally change the game in value-added Earth observation.
Development of an Artificial Intelligence Software
Client: GHGSat
Project: Enhancing image analysis capabilities
Application: Using artificial intelligence to combat global warming through the detection of greenhouse gases (methane leaks).
Pooling the complementary expertise of INO and GHGSat has made it possible to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm capable of supporting our analysts. This fruitful collaboration opens up the prospect of further joint work, for even greater AI performance.
Manufacturing of a Variable Reflectivity Mirror (VRM)
Client: GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation)
Project: Enabling high-resolution laser altimetry observations of Earth’s 3D structure
Application: Precise measurements of forest canopy height, vertical canopy structure, and surface elevation performed by GEDI significantly improve our ability to characterize key carbon and water cycle processes, biodiversity, and habitats.
Using a Variable Reflectivity Mirror (VRM) allows us to more precisely control the mode size inside and outside the cavity. Without a VRM, we would not be able to achieve a TEM₀₀ far-field beam and therefore could not perform the precise measurements required for the GEDI mission.
Artificial intelligence software to detect methane leaks
How GHGSat is increasing its data analysis capacity to automate its detection operations.
Broadband Radiometer Detectors
Client: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (client), European Space Agency (end user)
EarthDaily Uses INO Infrared Camera for Reliable Earth Observation
Discover how EarthDaily partnered with INO to deploy a space-qualified infrared camera for its satellite constellation, ensuring reliability in orbit.
Mapping Lunar Water with Infrared Detectors
NASA’s Trailblazer mission uses the Lunar Thermal Mapper, equipped with infrared detectors developed by INO and the University of Oxford, to map lunar water and surface composition. Learn more in this blog post!
Wildfire Monitoring: Tackling a Financial and Environmental Issue
Did you know that there are approximately 7,600 forest fires every year in Canada? All these fires have significant environmental consequences, and fighting them could cost upwards of $1 billion.
Prototyping Extreme Accuracy Optical Systems
In the aerospace and defense fields, there is an operational imperative to improve the resolution and coverage of air-to-ground and space-to-ground imaging systems. To meet this imperative, a requirement for high precision, environmentally stable imaging payloads that are both small and lightweight has emerged.
Earth Observation: Climatology and Agriculture Applications of Optical Technologies
Discover the various climatology and agriculture applications of optical technologies.
Environmental Applications of Optics
Discover the many environmental applications of optics providing unparalleled insights into the health of our planet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of space projects can INO develop?
Optical and photonic components, instruments, or subsystems for Earth observation, communications, exploration, and scientific missions.
Does INO support TRL advancement?
Yes. INO supports projects from TRL 1 to TRL 8, providing design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing as required.
Can INO manufacture components in short production runs?
Yes, particularly to support qualification activities or mission preparation.
Does INO perform testing adapted to the space domain?
Yes. INO conducts environmental testing, optical characterization, metrology, and validations specific to space payloads.
Tell Us About Your Space Mission
An INO expert will help you assess your concept, technical needs, and next development steps. Fill in the form below to contact an expert.