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Satellite

SPACE OPTICS

SPACE QUALIFIED STRAY LIGHT SUPPRESSION COATINGS 

ADVANCED OPTICAL BLACK
COATING TECHNOLOGY

Vantablack®: Advanced Space-Qualified Coatings
Our ultra-black coatings are engineered for space applications. They suppress stray light in optical systems and support black body calibration in infrared (IR) systems. With spectrally flat absorption from the UV to the near-millimeter (THz) range, these coatings deliver consistent, high-performance results across a broad spectrum.
 

Why Choose Our Coatings for Space Missions?
Designing optical and imaging systems for space is challenging due to intense light pollution from the sun, moon and Earth, along with harsh environmental conditions and launch stress.

As lightweight, Lambertian blackbodies, Vantablack coatings  help to mitigate these challenges by enabling smaller, lighter baffle and calibration system designs.​

SPACE
HERITAGE

Proven Performance in Orbit
Vantablack® was first launched into a 550 km equatorial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2015, where it was used on dual star-trackers aboard a disaster monitoring satellite. The coating has delivered flawless performance and has now accumulated over a decade of in-orbit heritage on baffles and calibration systems—exposed to both wake and zenith orientations in LEO.

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Our coatings have also flown aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and have been successfully flight-qualified for use in spaceborne blackbody calibration units, complex baffle assemblies, and spectrometers.

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Enhancing Optical Systems, Reducing Complexity
Vantablack® coatings dramatically improve stray light suppression, allowing for simpler system designs. This leads to tangible benefits for end users—reducing instrument weight, volume, and overall manufacturing costs.​

SPACE QUALIFICATION
AND TESTING

Space Qualification and Testing
Our space-qualified coatings have undergone extensive validation in the following areas:

  • Optical performance (THR, BRDF, TIS)

  • Outgassing

  • Thermal stability

  • Damp heat exposure

  • Gamma and proton radiation

  • Performance following shock and vibration

  • Thermal Vacuum Cycling (TVAC)

  • Atomic Oxygen (ATOX) resistance

SPACE APPLICATIONS

UNLOCK UNMATCHED OPTICAL PRECISION WITH VANTABLACK COATING TECHNOLOGY

Its extraordinary light-absorbing properties eliminate glare, boost contrast, and sharpen the accuracy of even the most sensitive optical instruments. Fully space-qualified, this coating is engineered to excel in both extreme terrestrial environments and high-performance space imaging systems.
 

Why Choose Vantablack for Your Optical Applications?

  • Unrivaled Light Absorption: Minimize reflections and maximize image clarity.

  • Exceptional Contrast Enhancement: Delivering crisp, detailed visuals on Earth and beyond.

  • Proven Durability in Harsh Conditions: Built to withstand the rigors of space and challenging environments.

IDEAL FOR A WIDE RANGE
OF APPLICATIONS:

  • Telescopes: Sharpen celestial imaging by eliminating stray light.

  • Cameras: Capture high-fidelity images, even in difficult lighting.

  • Scientific Imaging Systems: Ensure precise, reliable measurements for advanced research.

  • Optical Assemblies: Enhance performance in baffles, housings, and lens barrels.

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Key Performance Enhancements:

 

  • Significant reduction in optical noise

  • Superior image contrast

  • Minimal ghosting and chromatic aberration

  • Reduced flare

  • Image resolution 

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