Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM
Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM

Long tradition in space research and development

Robust measurement technology for use in space mission forms the technological foundation of our institute. The SolACES solar spectrometer, for instance, reliably delivered data on solar activity from the ISS before for nine years before it was deactivated in February 2017.

Space research and heritage

International recognition in the field of space research  

Throughout its history, Fraunhofer IPM has participated in over 40 rocket launches and nine satellite missions for scientific purpose, gaining international recognition in the field of space research. The main focus of our research has been on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectroscopy. Fraunhofer IPM continues to apply findings from space-related research for industrial applications. Much of the knowledge we have acquired through space research forms the basis of the measurement and testing systems we develop for industry today. High quality standards, robustness, reliability, and low maintenance are essential for both space and industrial applications.

© Fraunhofer IPM
Institute founder Prof. Karl Rawer with a model of the AEROS-B satellite. Rawer played a key role in the development of the AEROS satellite program. The program was designed to provide data to improve our understanding of the physics of the upper atmosphere. An EUV spectrometer from the former Fraunhofer IPW was on board the satellite. The two AEROS satellites were launched into space in the first half of the 1970s.
Institute founder Prof. Karl Rawer with a payload for the French high-altitude research rocket Veronique (1971).
© NASA
NASA's Pioneer Venus, launched in 1978, was an orbiter designed to study the atmosphere of Venus. It carried an EUV spectrometer developed at Fraunhofer IPM’s predecessor institute Fraunhofer IPW.

Space research projects with Fraunhofer IPM participation – a selection

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EUV spectrometer on the ISS

High-energy EUV produces ionized gas (plasma) in the Earth's ionosphere and thermosphere. This influences climatic conditions on Earth as well as the propagation of electromagnetic signals, which form the basis of global satellite-based navigation systems (GNSS) such as GPS or Galileo.

The SolACES space spectrophotometer was developed by Fraunhofer IPM as part of the SOLAR experiment package for the European Columbus Laboratory. SOLAR was an external payload facility dedicated to Sun monitoring and was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in February 2008 as part of mission STS-122 which delivered Columbus to the International Space Station. SolACES was designed to continuously monitor the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the sun in the wavelength range between 16 and 220 nm aboard the International Space Station (ISS). It was the first space spectrometer to feature an auto-calibration system via absolute flux detection inside two ionization chambers.

Ionization chamber for daily internal calibration 

With ISS-SOLAR-SolACES, a new approach in terms of calibrating solar spectral irradiance (SSI) data was validated during the mission period from 2008 to 2017: an ionization chamber (IC) as primary detector standard, operated in space, allowed daily calibration measurements. The usage of the ionization chamber technology aimed at establishing an absolute calibration equipment in space, providing reference SSI data sets in solar and solar-terrestrial science as well as in related applications such as GNSS signal evaluation.

Despite the considerable degradation of the hardware under the harsh environmental conditions prevailing in space, SolACES has been measuring EUV radiation with unprecedented accuracy and extremely low error rates. Due to the high quality of the measurement data, European Space Agency (ESA) extended the measurement campaign several times. Until 2016, SolACES provided precise data on solar activity, which is now publicly available in a database. In February 2017, after nine years of service, the spectrometer was deactivated.

 

Advanced Forecast for Ensuring Communications Through Space

The Earth's atmosphere almost completely absorbs extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, meaning EUV radiation has no direct influence on life on Earth. However, EUV radiation significantly impacts photochemical processes in the upper atmosphere, thus indirectly affecting the Earth's climate and technical processes, such as satellite communication.

The aim of the EU project AFFECTS (Advanced Forecast For Ensuring Communications Through Space, 2011–2014) aimed to better understand the effects of cyclical solar activity fluctuations on the magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system. Reliable forecasts of ionospheric conditions could help satellite operators to adapt their services to the predicted space weather, for example.

The project partners have developed various products and services that provide information on the current condition and potential disturbances to the Earth's magnetic field and ionosphere. To this end, geomagnetic indices such as aP and KP and the so-called TEC (Total Electron Content) were determined.

Project Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Volker Bothmer, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Institute for Astrophysics 

© Fraunhofer IPM
The spherical EUV and plasma spectrometer (SEPS) measures EUV radiation and plasma parameters in the atmosphere.

Weather forecast in space

Strong solar flares have a severe impact on Earth. They can lead to the expansion of the Earth's atmosphere and can cause satellites to crash. Increased electron densities in the ionosphere can cause interference with radar, navigation, and remote sensing signals. In extreme cases, violent magnetic field fluctuations can lead to the collapse of entire power grids or disrupt high-tech manufacturing processes such as semiconductor chip production.

Predicting space weather as accurately as possible allows protective measures to be taken in good time. The Spherical EUV and Plasma Spectrometer (SEPS) developed at Fraunhofer IPM measures plasma fluctuations and radiation variations, which can be used to predict space weather. The compact spherical device weighs only 150 grams. It is intended to become part of a satellite-based sensor network.