FLIR Systems applications report states that NASA Langley Research Center has selected its infrared camera systems for deployment in its shuttle and International Space Station programs.
Thermal Imaging Helps Improve Safety in Space
The US Space Agency’s initial selection was carried out on behalf of infrared technology. The devastations of the Columbia space shuttle catastrophe in 2003 led to the tile damage on the space shuttles’ heat shields. Investigation of such damages is feasible with IR technology-based imaging equipments. FLIR Systems ThermaCAM S65 camera was selected by the NASA engineers to carry out investigative research. ThermaCAM S65 camera of FLIR Systems was proved efficient among all the commercially available infrared cameras evaluated by NASA.
According to the applications report statement, NASA Langley Research Center and FLIR Systems jointly developed a FLIR infrared camera’s adapted version that was deployed for Discovery and Atlantis space shuttle missions to enable visual inspection of wing leading edge. NASA Langley chose the FLIR infrared camera system due to its advantageous thermal imaging features. NASA will implement these IR camera systems on the International Space station for machinery inspection and contingency leak detection applications.
FLIR uses infrared technology to design, create and leverage thermal imaging systems and its components, making it suitable for commercial, industrial, governmental, scientific, and fire fighting applications. Having more than four decades of expertise in infrared innovation, FLIR is a pioneer in thermal imaging technology on a global basis. It operates sales offices and development centers in more than 60 countries. Over 100,000 FLIR systems have been adopted universally.