Draft:Cosine Measurement Systems


cosine Measurement Systems, commonly known as "cosine", is a Dutch technology company based in Sassenheim, the Netherlands. The company specializes in developing and manufacturing high-tech optical instrumentation for remote sensing and astronomy, and is a major supplier of miniaturised remote sensing instrumentation for space.[1]

History

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"cosine" was founded in 1998 by Professor Doctor Marco Beijersbergen. The company invented, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA)[2], the Silicon Pore Optics technology, a lightweight high-resolution X-ray optics.[3]

Key projects and technologies

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The company cosine is involved in the NewAthena[4] mission, an X-ray observatory project led by ESA. For this mission, cosine developed silicon pore optics, an innovative technology that stacks industrial silicon plates to make mirror modules that can be assembled into a lens to focus X-rays and gamma-rays, allowing the observatory to observe high-energy celestial objects with unprecedented depth and clarity​.

Another cosine contribution is the HyperScout line of imagers. HyperScout is a product line of compact hyperspectral imaging devices designed for use on small satellite platforms, providing advanced imaging capabilities that are typically available only on larger satellites. This technology has been utilized in ESA missions such as the GomX-4B CubeSat and the FSSCat mission to monitor environmental conditions, vegetation health, and land cover changes​​.[5] in 2024, the model HyperScout H is playing a role in the Hera mission of ESA.[6][7]

Additionally, cosine played a role in the development of NightPod, a motorized tripod system installed on the International Space Station.[8] NightPod allows astronauts to take clear, focused images of Earth's cities at night by compensating for the station's rapid movement, enhancing the quality of nighttime Earth observation photography​.

References

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