In 2021, CrystalSpace was selected by Maxar Technologies to supply a stereo‑pair of CS-151 “Kodas” cameras for the SAMPLR robotic arm under NASA’s Artemis lunar program. The cameras will monitor the collection of lunar regolith, delivering visual feedback that guides critical operations with precision and safety.
These cameras are part of the Sample Acquisition, Morphology Filtering, and Probing of Lunar Regolith (SAMPLR) payload, one of the externally‑provided instruments chosen under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. CrystalSpace designs and optics are integrated in collaboration with Tartu Observatory and Estonian electronics and manufacturing partners, including Krakul, Incap Electronics, Insero, Radius Machining, and Tauria.
Built to endure lunar extremes, the cameras are engineered to survive temperatures from −173 °C to +100 °C and the mechanical stresses of launch and surface operations. Through this mission, CrystalSpace continues its heritage of nanosatellite payloads and optics systems, supporting vision tasks from monitoring hardware deployments to robotic sample handling.
CrystalSpace in Brief
Crystalspace was founded by two of the core developers team of the Estonian University of Tartu ESTCube-1 CubeSat mission. Crystalspace specializes in the rapid designing and production of nanosatellite parts. The people behind Crystalspace have been involved in developing payloads for multiple satellites, like ESTCube-1, Aalto-1, and ESEO. CrystalSpace was part of the European Space Agency Business Incubator (ESA BIC Estonia) 2017-2019. https://crystalspace.eu/
Maxar in Brief
Maxar is a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure. We deliver disruptive value to government and commercial customers to help them monitor, understand and navigate our changing planet; deliver global broadband communications; and explore and advance the use of space. Our unique approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and a proven commercial and defense foundation to deploy solutions and deliver insights with unrivaled speed, scale and cost effectiveness. Maxar’s 4,000 team members in 20 global locations are inspired to harness the potential of space to help our customers create a better world. Maxar trades on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com.