More: Satellite Integration > RF Power Handling > Spacecraft & Launch Vehicles > Laser Communications
Working with the space program for over five decades, our people have extensive knowledge of the unique challenges presented by space travel. From new space capsules and vehicles to discovering and exploring new worlds, Amphenol CIT engineers are working with new and innovative companies to bring their ideas and applications to life — to perhaps discover life elsewhere or bring life from Earth to extreme environments somewhere else.
Our high-reliability, space-grade products have played a role in countless missions. With our heritage in the space program to date, we offer:
Amphenol CIT on a Mission: NASA's Perseverance Rover
Our interconnect technology serves as a communication link between the Mars Helicopter and base command, helping to accomplish the mission 63 million miles away.
Click here for more information
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Assemblies & Harnesses | Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) Sensors | Shielding & Overbraiding | Connectors & Accessories | Wire & Cable |
| RF/Microwave Fiber Optic Spaceflight Flexible Ultra-lightweight Semi-rigid Delay lines Fabricated cables Harnesses | High bandwidth High resolution Low power consumption Excellent temp stability Matched sensor for high stability & repeatability Radiation tolerant | Spaceflight Reliable Industry-Leading Electrical Conductivity Light Weight Stronger than Steel Flexible Affordable | Spaceflight High-density Self-locking Multiport quick-connect High-power Filtered | Flexible Semi-rigid Hand-formable High-voltage High-temp Moisture-resistant |
More: Deep Space Exploration > Satellite Integration > Spacecraft & Launch Vehicles > Laser Communications
The performance parameters that must be addressed when considering power handling within the spaceflight environment are the three main failure mechanisms that can lead to RF breakdown: Thermal limitations of the materials, multipaction, and ionization.
Multipaction Keeping power completely within an interconnect requires more than just shielding stray electrons from bouncing around a vacuum. Proper design, materials selection, and quality construction are essential for all interconnects within a system. One bad cable can ruin an entire system. Amphenol CIT engineers understand the complexities and challenges that arise from multipaction, and are experts at keeping electrons moving along their desired transmission path.
Ionization We implement the highest quality controls during the design and assembly processes to control the critical geometries, venting, and cleanliness to prevent the risk of a partial atmosphere or outgassing constituents becoming trapped within the transmission path leading to a corona and eventual RF breakdown.
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Assemblies & Harnesses | Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) Sensors | Shielding & Overbraiding | Connectors & Accessories | Wire & Cable |
| RF/Microwave Fiber Optic Spaceflight Flexible Ultra-lightweight Semi-rigid Delay lines Fabricated cables Harnesses | High bandwidth High resolution Low power consumption Excellent temp stability Matched sensor for high stability & repeatability Radiation tolerant | Spaceflight Reliable Industry-Leading Electrical Conductivity Light Weight Stronger than Steel Flexible Affordable | Spaceflight High-density Self-locking Multiport quick-connect High-power Filtered | Flexible Semi-rigid Hand-formable High-voltage High-temp Moisture-resistant |
Our broad range of interconnect solutions has been ensuring mission success for decades in the space industry. From spacecraft and launch vehicles to satellite integration and ground support equipment, our RF Connectors, Cable Assemblies, Filter Connectors, Seamless Wire, Fiber Optics, and other specialized products provide high performance and reliability in the harshest and most demanding environments.
Here at Amphenol CIT, we design and test our products to meet the requirements of extreme vibration during launch, thermal cycling, outgassing, and radiation once payloads are operational in orbit. In space, there is no option to repair or replace interconnect products — they need to work the first time, every time.
Whether your mission is deep space exploration and discovery or a Low Earth Orbit constellation supporting the “space internet,” we have you covered.
Launchers are complex machines, and require the same kind of interconnects as the payloads they’re delivering. Everything needs to be reliable, performing at the highest level and quality over time.
Connecting the world via satellite requires interconnect solutions that meet the strictest tolerances and perform in the harshest conditions. That’s precisely what we deliver.
Working with the space program for over five decades, our people have extensive knowledge of the unique challenges presented by space travel. From new space capsules and vehicles to discovering and exploring new worlds, Amphenol CIT engineers are working with new and innovative companies to bring their ideas and applications to life — to perhaps discover life elsewhere or bring life from Earth to extreme environments somewhere else.
The performance parameters that must be addressed when considering power handling within the spaceflight environment are the three main failure mechanisms that can lead to RF breakdown: thermal limitations of the materials, multipaction, and ionization.
Fast Steering Mirrors (FSMs) precisely direct laser beams between satellites, ensuring accurate alignment and stable data transmission. Equipped with nanometer-resolution position sensors, FSMs provide precise control over mirror position, even in dynamic environments, minimizing signal loss and maximizing data throughput. Amphenol CIT is at the forefront of advancing OISL technology by providing state-of-the-art sensor solutions for FSMs.
More: Spacecraft & Launch Vehicles > Satellite Integration > Deep Space Exploration > RF Power Handling
Fast Steering Mirrors (FSMs) precisely direct laser beams between satellites, ensuring accurate alignment and stable data transmission. Equipped with nanometer-resolution position sensors, FSMs provide precise control over mirror position, even in dynamic environments, minimizing signal loss and maximizing data throughput. Amphenol CIT is at the forefront of advancing OISL technology by providing state-of-the-art sensor solutions for FSMs. Our EDA500 sensor system offers high-speed and ultra-precise position sensing capabilities, ensuring the performance and reliability of FSMs in LEO satellite constellations.
We also offer ruggedized fiber optic cable assemblies designed to relay Gigabit data in optical format from optical transceiver boxes to FSMs in satellites. These fiber optic assemblies can operate from - 65 °C to 260 °C with extended flexibility, minimal bend sensitivity, low smoke toxicity, high flame resistance, and extreme shock and vibration resistance.
The transmission of high-definition imaging data acquired by earth observation LEO satellites and high-speed Gigabit Internet traffic received from ground stations requires seamless, low-loss connectivity between digital signal processing and optical conversion boxes. We address this need with our compact Octax®-Solo 10Gbps ultra-high-speed interconnect solution. This system features high performance, low-loss twisted shielded pair cables and a standalone single-port connector capable of supporting up to 10 Gbps. With excellent impedance matching resulting in low return loss and connectivity in high-density, space-constrained, rugged LEO and CubeSat systems. innovative inserts virtually eliminating near-end crosstalk, it is the ideal choice for Gigabit Ethernet.
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Assemblies & Harnesses | Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) Sensors | Shielding & Overbraiding | Connectors & Accessories | Wire & Cable |
| RF/Microwave Fiber Optic Spaceflight Flexible Ultra-lightweight Semi-rigid Delay lines Fabricated cables Harnesses | High bandwidth High resolution Low power consumption Excellent temp stability Matched sensor for high stability & repeatability Radiation tolerant | Spaceflight Reliable Industry-Leading Electrical Conductivity Light Weight Stronger than Steel Flexible Affordable | Spaceflight High-density Self-locking Multiport quick-connect High-power Filtered | Flexible Semi-rigid Hand-formable High-voltage High-temp Moisture-resistant |
More: Deep Space Exploration > RF Power Handling > Spacecraft & Launch Vehicles > Laser Communications
Connecting the world via satellite requires interconnect solutions that meet the strictest tolerances and perform in the harshest conditions. That’s precisely what we deliver.
We have supported the space industry for over 50 years to provide interconnects that control the critical performance parameters that the payload integrator so highly values:
Our customers are confident that they can bring the most demanding and ever-changing requirements forward and the Amphenol CIT family of products is ready to support the mission technically and logistically.
Ground Support
We support the satellite industry to ensure transmissions are received correctly by control stations without loss of signal integrity. We use the same interconnect components for testing and ground support as the satellites themselves to help prevent any mismatch of signal or power.
Test
We work with satellite integrators and equipment manufacturers to test and verify the functionality of the assembled products prior to launch, helping to guarantee reliable performance throughout the life cycle of the mission.
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Assemblies & Harnesses | Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) Sensors | Shielding & Overbraiding | Connectors & Accessories | Wire & Cable |
| RF/Microwave Fiber Optic Spaceflight Flexible Ultra-lightweight Semi-rigid Delay lines Fabricated cables Harnesses | High bandwidth High resolution Low power consumption Excellent temp stability Matched sensor for high stability & repeatability Radiation tolerant | Spaceflight Reliable Industry-Leading Electrical Conductivity Light Weight Stronger than Steel Flexible Affordable | Spaceflight High-density Self-locking Multiport quick-connect High-power Filtered | Flexible Semi-rigid Hand-formable High-voltage High-temp Moisture-resistant |
![spacecraft-launch-vehicle](/wp-content/uploads/22724-SpaceEcosystem-SpacecraftLaunch-Anim-050924.gif")
More: Satellite Integration > Deep Space Exploration > RF Power Handling > Laser Communications
Building vehicles for the purposes of space travel presents challenges unseen anywhere else. Our engineers know them well – we’ve been working with the space program from the start.
Our products undergo extensive acceptance testing that exceeds industry standards, from the connector and cable component level to the final delivered product. We also perform qualification testing for the unique requirements of space flight in our own laboratories to make sure our solutions will perform as specified — from integration, through launch, to the end of program life, and beyond.
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Assemblies & Harnesses | Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) Sensors | Shielding & Overbraiding | Connectors & Accessories | Wire & Cable |
| RF/Microwave Fiber Optic Spaceflight Flexible Ultra-lightweight Semi-rigid Delay lines Fabricated cables Harnesses | High bandwidth High resolution Low power consumption Excellent temp stability Matched sensor for high stability & repeatability Radiation tolerant | Spaceflight Reliable Industry-Leading Electrical Conductivity Light Weight Stronger than Steel Flexible Affordable | Spaceflight High-density Self-locking Multiport quick-connect High-power Filtered | Flexible Semi-rigid Hand-formable High-voltage High-temp Moisture-resistant |
UTiFLEX® Ultra-Light Cable Assemblies are optimized for spaceflight applications. They provide up to 25% weight savings, lowest insertion loss, and best radiation resistance in a flexible cable construction. The cables utilize Amphenol CIT’s ARACON® for the outer shield, an ultra-low-density PTFE for the dielectric, and a DuPont Tefzel® jacket*. If required, cable assemblies are manufactured in a Class 10,000 clean-room by certified solder technicians.
*DuPont™ and TEFZEL® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
Our third generation ARINC 791/792 Adjustable Fittings make it easy to adjust to structure variations while minimizing labor on the line or at the MRO. Our patented design features Z-Axis adjustability that ensures the lowest possible installation height for ESA applications and supports ARINC 791 to 792 conversion.
Materials
Performance Standards
Patent No.
Function
Contains everything required for either retrofit or forward fit installations on large jet aircraft and creates a simplified, standardized installation, easier maintenance inspections, and overall lower cost of ownership.
Fulfills the requirement for a standardized installation, easier maintenance inspections, and overall lower cost of ownership. Conformance to the ARINC 792 standard also helps future-proof the SATCOM installation, and makes upgrades to next generation antennas and SATCOM system equipment easier and faster with commonality across entire fleets.
| Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Linear thermal phase performance |
|
| Naturally ruggedized with sturdy concentric core |
|
| Vertically integrated |
|
|
Typical velocity of propagation 80% |
|
| Universally configurable with standard connectors and armor |
|
| Diameter | Frequency Range | V of P | Minimum Bend Radius | Mass | Maximum Insertion Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.205" (5.21 mm) |
DC-26.5 GHz | 80% | 0.500" (12.7 mm) |
20.6 gm/ft (67.6 gm/m) |
0.56 dB/ft @ 26.5 GHz (1.84 dB/m) |
| Series | Max Frequency | Types (CODES) |
|---|---|---|
| SMA | 18 GHz | Plug (300), Jack (310), Right-Angle Plug (380), Bulkhead Jack (320) |
| PN | 18 GHz | Plug hex/knurl (50U), Jack (510), Bulkhead Jack (520), 4-Hole Flange Jack (550) |
| N | 12.4 GHz | Plug hex/knurl (70U), Jack (710) |
| PC 3.5 mm | 26.5 GHz | Plug (000), Jack (010) |
| PTNC | 18 GHz | Plug hex/knurl (60U), Jack (610) |
| PC 7 mm | 18 GHz | Universal (400) |
| BNC | 6 GHz | Plug (804) |
