e2v CCD on the Way to Venus

RF Globalnet: On May 17, 2010, e2v CCDs are (were) due to be launched into space on board the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Venus Climate Orbiter "Akatsuki" (formally known as PLANET-C) to study the planet Venus. e2v CCD47-20 sensors equip the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) onboard Akatsuki. It is a frame transfer CCD, with 1024 x 1024 pixels, each 13µm square. The device is back-illuminated, with optimised processing and coatings for performance in the 280nm – 365nm wavelength range. It is housed in a hermetically sealed package, with a sapphire window also optimised for transmission in the UV range.