NASA\u2019s Roman Telescope Enclosed in SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket Fairing<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Roman Telescope artistic illustration<\/p>\n The two Quebec-developed cameras integrated into the Roman Telescope\u2019s coronagraph.<\/p>\n QUEBEC CITY, Aug. 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)<\/a> — The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, NASA\u2019s infrared observatory launched on August 30, 2026, will help scientists study planets beyond our solar system using ultra-sensitive camera electronics developed and manufactured by ABB and N\u00fcv\u00fc Cam\u0113ras. The cameras form part of the Roman Coronagraph Instrument designed to test new technologies for exoplanet research and help pave the way for NASA\u2019s Habitable Worlds Observatory, a future mission concept that would aim to search for signs of habitability on other planets.<\/p>\n The Roman Coronagraph Instrument is expected to be 100 to 1000 times more powerful for imaging exoplanets than what is achieved by other space-based coronagraphs today. Named after NASA\u2019s first chief of astronomy, also known as the \u201cmother of Hubble\u201d, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope features a field of view 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, allowing it to survey a significantly larger portion of the sky in a single observation.<\/p>\n Drawing on expertise from 30 years of space projects and more than 140 optical systems operating in orbit, ABB engineers compressed the camera readout system into a compact unit no larger than a shoe box. Built with electronic cores made from space-qualified components, the camera electronics are designed to withstand the harsh radiation environment of deep space and cryogenic temperatures while capturing extremely faint light from planets orbiting distant stars.<\/p>\n Because exoplanets are vastly dimmer than the stars they orbit, the Roman Coronagraph uses advanced optics to suppress starlight and direct the faint reflected light from nearby planets to the ultra-sensitive cameras.<\/p>\n The telescope will operate at the Lagrange point L2, a special location in our solar system where the Earth and Sun always appear close to one another, allowing to block light pollution from both. At roughly four times the distance between Earth and the Moon, the observatory will be beyond reach of servicing missions such as those carried out for the Hubble Space Telescope, making the reliability and robustness of onboard systems critical.<\/p>\n \u201cProjects like the Roman mission demonstrate what is possible when scientific ambition and engineering innovation come together,\u201d said Marc Corriveau, General Manager of ABB\u2019s Measurement & Analytics division in Canada. \u201cWe are proud that technology developed by our space team in Quebec will contribute to this landmark NASA mission and support discoveries that could reshape our understanding of the universe.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2020, NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory awarded ABB the contract for the exoplanet camera readout system, building on imaging technology developed together with N\u00fcv\u00fc Cam\u0113ras and supported by the Canadian Space Agency\u2019s technology development programs. In addition to NASA, ABB has contributed optical technologies to missions by the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency and the Japanese Space Agency, as well as to space projects by commercial satellite operators such as GHGSat, EarthDaily and Hydrosat.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking closely with ABB, we combined our expertise to provide the imaging technology that will enable one of NASA\u2019s most ambitious exoplanet imaging missions to date, paving the way to answering one of humanity\u2019s biggest questions: are we alone in the universe?\u201d said Olivier Daigle, Chief Technology Officer at Montr\u00e9al-based N\u00fcv\u00fc Cam\u0113ras. \u201cWe are grateful to the Canadian Space Agency for helping us validate this technology for direct exoplanet-imaging applications and for supporting the advances that led to its selection by NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.\u201d<\/p>\n ABB <\/strong>is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this \u2018Engineered to Outrun\u2019. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB\u2019s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).\u00a0www.abb.com<\/a><\/p>\n ABB\u2019s Automation<\/strong> business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs \u2013 from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~26,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun \u2013 leaner and cleaner. go.abb\/automation<\/a><\/p>\n Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/NewsRoom\/AttachmentNg\/dc6a7170-03e4-405e-a076-895282157fbf<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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