Sodern, a manufacturer of diversified satellite components, specializing in star trackers, crucial for satellite orientation, and neutron technology, has been developing cutting-edge technology for the space, defense and neutron analysis markets for 60 years. It is their conviction that experience is an essential factor for excellence and credibility and throughout their history they have been able to capitalize on this strength to generate breakthrough innovations. They are proud to take part in state of the art, cutting edge programs, and to develop highly competitive solutions for missions for which efficiency and speed are key factors.
Sodern equips nearly one third of international satellites and space vehicles, for all types of mission: telecommunications and observation satellites, scientific and climate monitoring programs, solar system exploration missions and more. As the world leader in neutron generators, Sodern is also a pioneer in neutron analysis instruments, such as the FastGradeTM probe, which enables subsoils to be explored and characterized.
Products
STAR TRACKERS: Sodern is the world leader in the star tracker market and offers the widest range of products on the market, which is adapted to all missions, budgets, satellite platforms and orbits. They have a flight heritage in different sectors like telecommunications, constellations, earth observation, science (and climate), solar system exploration, and international space station.
From low Earth orbit to deep space, their star trackers benefit from a long flight experience, at the service of the largest space agencies and the main satellites manufacturers in the world, but also start-ups and new space constellations. Their range of star trackers includes:
- Auriga – The compact star tracker for small satellites constellations
- Hydra – Highly resilient modular star tracker
- Horus – A single box, autonomous star tracker
- M51 – Sodern’s excellence in star trackers is reinforced by their participation in the M51 program, the French nuclear deterrent’s sea-launched ballistic missiles.
- Daytime Star Trackers – Daytime star trackers seek to provide an alternative to satellite positioning systems, which may be scrambled. Build in 2016, at the request of the French Military acquisitions agency (DGA), Sodern and Safran joined forces to design the daytime star tracker, for positioning applications, which operate even in daytime, for the armed forces.
NEUTRON TUBES AND GENERATORS: Sodern is the world leader in civil neutron generators for multiple applications. Their neutron generators, which have been designed, developed and manufactured at Sodern, provide science and industry players with the power and reliability of these particles. For example, they make a valuable contribution to laboratory applications, or quality control.
SPACE CAMERAS
Navigation, observation, space surveillance, situational awareness, rendez-vous, monitoring and more. Sodern develops and produces tailor-made cameras which are adapted to all missions. Sodern offers state-of-the art cameras adapted to all missions (Space surveillance, inspection, rendez-vous & navigation) from LEO to GEO. Their cameras benefit from over fifty years of Sodern experience in space equipment development (Auriga and high end star trackers), at the service of the largest space agencies and the main satellites manufacturers in the world, but also start-ups and new space constellations. Their range of cameras includes: Auricam, HiCAM and NAVCAM.
NEUTRON ANALYSIS
Sodern develops neutron analyzers for companies involved in the mining, cement and other markets.
- FastGradeTM, mining probe: FastGradeTM has revolutionized the mining sector. Designed to study the atomic composition of a mine’s subsoil, the probe can replace highly costly traditional drilling and sampling operations with real time analysis: 1 day is all it takes to obtain the composition of the land around the drilling hole, compared with 1 month for traditional methods.
- CNA – Cross Belt Analysers: Their Cross-Belt Analyzers (CNA) enables to determine the precise composition of a flow of raw material, which is a great facilitator for cement applications in particular. The distributor is Malvern Panalytical.
As a dedicated equipment supplier, they collaborate with customers to tackle major challenges on Earth and in space. With six decades of innovation across defense, space, and raw materials extraction, they push technological boundaries to develop reliable, high-value solutions. Their commitment to passion, audacity, proximity, and excellence continues to drive inspiration and performance.
