Materion Products on Mars

A great many companies claim to have products that are “out of this world.”  At Materion, our products are literally out of this world!

Materion Barr Precision Optics and Thin Film Coatings has partnered with the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) for decades. Together we provide cutting-edge optics that empower some of the most ambitious planet exploration imaginable. Materion optics have been an integral part of all Mars lander and rovers missions including:

• Pathfinder, 1996
• Phoenix Lander, 2008
• Soujoiner, 1997
• Spirit & Opportunity, 2003
• Curiosity, 2011                                                                                                                                                                       Photo Credit: NASA

In addition to enabling the camera to capture amazing pictures from the planet’s surface, Materion optical components are involved in the monitoring of the planet as well.  In fact, every NASA mission with an optical system (from the Mars Observer to the current MAVEN mission) has some type of Materion optic on-board.

Recently, Materion has teamed with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to provide optics on- board India’s inaugural mission (Mars Orbiter) that is scheduled for a September 2014 arrival in Martian orbit.

Beyond the broad range of optical components from Materion Barr Precision Optics & Thin Film Coatings, many of the lightweight materials necessary for space exploration are supplied by Materion Beryllium & Composites. This Includes the beryllium used for reflectors as well as the aluminum beryllium composite (AlBeMet) for multiple components on the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.  Other Materion specialty materials enable critical connectors, bearings and motor parts for all Mars vehicles. 

At Materion, we take tremendous pride in our ability to collaborate with innovative companies and institutions to take on “one-of-a-kind, never-been-done-before” challenges.  Our technical expertise and pioneering spirit, have allowed us be a part of human achievements in space once thought unimaginable. Wherever future innovation leads, Materion plans to be part of it.

For more information about Materion optical offerings, please contact David Harrison, Business Development Manager, Space, Science & Astronomy:  David.Harrison@Materion.com

Photo Credit: NASA