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      • Rugged rack mounted servers
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Expando AB

Leading Supplier of Data Networking

  • PRODUCTS
    • HALF19 Rugged Server
    • Military and Commercial Components
    • Defense and Avionic power solutions
    • Space Qualified Components
    • Defense and Industrial Motor
    • Data Bus Test and Simulation Equipment
    • Military and Industrial Grade Board Level Products
    • Rugged Mission Computers, Servers, Routers and Switches
      • Rugged rack mounted servers
    • Embedded Graphics Components
    • Military Fiber Optic Transceivers and Media Converters
    • DO-178C and DO-254 process consultation and IData®
  • REFERENCES
  • About us
  • PARTNERS
    • Data Device Corporation (DDC)
    • 3D PLUS
    • Extreme Engineering Solutions
    • VPT
    • DEI
    • CoreAVI
    • Ensco Avionics
    • Mercury Systems
    • GET Engineering
    • Moog Protokraft
    • Acromag
    • ApisSys
    • GOMA
  • News
  • Contact us

VPT Receives the Military & Aerospace Electronics Innovators 2022 Award

22 November, 2022 av Expando

The 2022 Technology Innovators Awards have been announced by Military & Aerospace Electronics to honor businesses that provide noteworthy avionics, aerospace, and military design solutions. The highest recognition given by this Awards has been received by VPT, a HEICO company, for its VSC Series of DC-DC converters.

A Sapce Satelite

Photo: VPT website

The Military & Aerospace Technology Innovators Awards are divided into three categories: Platinum, as the highest honor, and then followed by Gold, and Silver awards. We are extremely proud to represent one of our greatest partners, VPT, in order to receive the highest level of recognition during the 2022 award announcements. These Awards are given to organizations that exhibit excellence in the use of a product or system.

What contributed to VPT’s VSC series winning this award?

VPT is a global provider of innovative technology for avionics, military, space, and industrial applications. For over 20 years, VPT’s award-winning DC-DC converters, EMI filters, accessory products, and engineering services have powered systems for world-class organizations and programs. NASA, ESA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems, Thales, and many other organizations rely on VPT’s high-reliability solutions on a daily basis to power critical systems.

“The VSC Series leverages VPT’s extensive experience in radiation-hardened DC-DC converter development to provide the appropriate level of radiation performance for LEO applications at an extremely competitive price point.” says Leonard Leslie, Vice President of Engineering.

VPT-050-SpaceCollage-6-VSC30-15-5-A

VSC Series of DC-DC Converters

 

The VSC Series from VPT Inc. in Blacksburg, Va., is a commercial off-the-shelf DC-DC converter developed for smaller satellites in low-Earth orbits (LEO), launch vehicles, and NASA Class D missions where the balance of cost and guaranteed performance is critical. This VSC Series is guaranteed for radiation tolerance in low-Earth orbits applications at an extremely competitive price point. The series is radiation guaranteed and tested to:

  • Tested to 42 MeV/mg/cm2 and guaranteed to 30 MeV/mg/cm2 for SEE
  • Tested to 40 krad(Si) and guaranteed to 30 krad(Si) for TID

The VSC Series of commercial off the shelf (COTS) products are intended for “New Space” applications as part of their space product line. Do you want to learn more about our long-term supplier, VPT, Inc.? Click here.

Expando’s partners and suppliers

Expando AB is a regional expert offering defense components and integration projects. We act as representatives or distributors for first-class suppliers and our aim is to be your long-term reliable partner.

Contact us for price questions and technical solutions at info@expando.se or call us at +46 (0)8-544 900 44.

Filed Under: News

HEICO’s 3D Plus Subsidiary Acquires Trad Company

21 October, 2022 av Expando

3D Plus, one of our suppliers, recently acquired TRAD, a leading electronic component radiation test and software company. This company is highly specialized in field of radiation engineering, which is primarily used in the space, nuclear, and medical fields. This change, according to HEICO’s 3D Plus subsidiary company, is a perfect fit for the company, and we would like to devote our news article to it.

HEICO Acquires Trad Company

Photo from: VIPress website

On Monday, October 3, HEICO announced its subsidiary 3D Plus has acquired radiation testing company TRAD in an all-cash deal. The aerospace products company stated it expects the purchase to be accretive to earnings a year after the deal closes. However, the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but shares of HEICO gained 1.6% in recent trading amid a broadly firmer market.

What made 3D Plus (HEICO) make this decision?

TRAD was founded in 1994 and has since established itself as an important industry leader in understanding radiation’s and other condition’s impact on electronic components. Customers of TRAD include the world’s leading space agencies, major satellite integrators, and a diverse range of subsystem and electronic component manufacturers.

HEICO believes TRAD is the most advanced and exhaustive independent business of its kind. Therefore, HEICO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Office, along with other members, commented, “TRAD is a truly unique and special company which fits perfectly with our Company.” On the other hand, TRAD goal is to develop into a world leader in radiation effect for microelectronic devices and sub-systems for harsh environments, serving the aeronautic, defense, space and medical markets will be accelerated under the HEICO and 3D PLUS Impulse.

Do you want to learn more about our long-term supplier, 3D Plus? Click here.

Forward-thinking statements from HEICO

Although this new acquisition for HEICO would accretive to earnings in a year, the recent announcement contained forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties, and contingencies.

The severity of the Covid-19 pandemic, lower commercial air travel and thus airline purchasing decisions, may lower demand for our goods and services. On the other hand, the ability to introduce new products and services at a profitable pricing level could increase sales. As a result, parties receiving products or materials are encouraged to review all of HEICO’s securities and exchange commission policies and procedures, including filling out various forms.

Expando’s partners and suppliers

Expando AB is a regional expert offering defense components and integration projects. We act as representatives or distributors for first-class suppliers and our aim is to be your long-term reliable partner.

Contact us for price questions and technical solutions at info@expando.se or call us at +46 (0)8-544 900 44.

Filed Under: News

HMS Södermanland life extension

30 September, 2022 av Expando

HMS Södermanland is a Swedish naval submarine that was launched in 1988. On behalf of the Swedish Armed Forces, FMV has signed an overhaul agreement that includes going through existing equipment to ensure the submarine’s operational availability and making necessary modifications to meet changed requirements. In this article, we will highlight the importance of extensive upgrades that will keep the submarine’s capabilities for years to come.

HMS-Sodermanland submarine

Image from: Första Ubåtsflottiljen

What do we know about HMS Södermanland?

HMS Södermanland is the third ship of the Västergötland-class submarine and was named after Södermanland, Sweden in 1988. Since then, this submarine has been under life extension one time in 2000. Through the extension, the submarine was lengthened by 12 meters and fitted with an air-independent Stirling engine which increase efficiency most significantly in order to operate in international warm and salty underwater for several weeks.

After 12 years, FMV has signed the second agreement with Saab Kockums AB in Muskö, outside Stockholm, to upgrade the submarine HMS Södermanland within the framework of continued operation. This extension will be the submarine’s second life extension which according to an article from FMV, “includes a number of modifications aimed at technically maintaining the submarine’s capacity, service life and availability”. The goal is to ensure the maintenance of HMS Södermanland’s capabilities for another six years.

According to the agreement, the lifetime extension is carried out in parallel with the general overhaul, which is 72 months of maintenance.

What has to be considered in this life extension?

The life extension strategy has been developed with both technical and management support expertise to ensure that it will deliver a safe, capable, available, and maintainable platform for the duration of the extension period.

When the end-use of a computer is in a military submarine, that computer has to be designed to withstand shock events to military standards. Submarines, such as warcraft, are subject to high levels of shock from collisions or nearby weapon detonation and a submarine computer must be able to handle the blow, while not creating projectiles that could damage other equipment or imperil personnel. This is where Ruggeddized Technologies stepped in to help.

A ruggedized computing device could be used by the military to support mission-critical weapons, radar and communications systems, or by industries to support assembly line automation and to collect field data. Any program or application that requires durability and powerful performance can benefit from the introduction of a rugged computer or device. If you want to learn more about rugged devices, read our blog.

Expando AB specializes in fully rugged servers, rugged mission computers, rugged servers, routers and switches. We act as representatives or distributors for first-class suppliers and our aim is to be your long-term reliable partner. To discuss your rugged server needs with us get in touch.

Filed Under: News

Everything you need to know about MIL-STD-461

31 May, 2022 av Expando

Device to test the electromagnetic waves

MIL-STD-461 is a common requirement for military programs and systems that provides guidance on EMI/ EMC verification requirements for all equipment and subsystems procured by military equipment. In this news article, we will discuss the MIL-STD-461 test and the importance of electromagnetic compatibility.

Note: Expando is not a compliance testing facility. Our products are rugged servers and workstations that comply with military and industrial standards. We have  partners and suppliers that can assist you with your testing needs.

What is the MIL-STD-461 test?

MIL-STD-461 is a military and defense equipment testing standard that was first released in 1967. This test assures that the ruggedized computer systems can function properly within electromagnetic (EM) environments and avoid releasing EM energy that could potentially cause EM Interference (EMI) with nearby devices.

Electromagnetic interference, also called radio-frequency interference when in the radio frequency spectrum, is a disturbance generated by an external source that affects an electrical circuit by electromagnetic induction, electrostatic coupling, or conduction.

It is worth mentioning, that since its initial publication in 1967, MIL-STD-461 has undergone a total of seven revisions:

MIL-STD-461A (1968)
MIL-STD-461B (1980)
MIL-STD-461C (1986)
MIL-STD-461D (1993)
MIL-STD-461E (1999)
MIL-STD-461F (2007)
MIL-STD-461G (2015)

Why is MIL-STD-461 important?

MIL-STD-461 is critical for mission success and safety. As the number of space-constrained programs and applications that use several embedded computer systems grows, so does the likelihood of EMI between them. Given that our mission-critical servers and workstations power high-stakes military systems and applications, military personnel need assurance that their systems will not be disturbed by EMI.

If a rugged server or workstation isn’t MIL-STD-461 compliant but is used in a mission-critical system, there’s a higher risk of mission disruption, mission failure, and even data loss, all of which can have severe consequences, especially when national security is at stake. Below you can a few purposes of this test:

  • Ensures the equipment is electromagnetically compatible with its installation environment
  • Equipment shall not interfere with the operation of other equipment
  • Equipment shall operate reliably and as designed in the presence of the electromagnetic sources within its installation environment

What tests are in MIL-STD-461?

MIL-STD-461 test procedures are designated by an alphanumeric coding system. And each MIL-STD-461 requirement is identified by a three-digit number succeeding a two-letter combination.

  • Conducted emissions requirements are designated by CE
  • Radiated emissions requirements are designated by RE
  • Conducted susceptibility requirements are designated by CS
  • Radiated susceptibility requirements are designated by RS

Conducted emissions refer to EM energy generated by a system or device and transmitted through its power cord via an electric current. Radiated emissions, on the other hand, refer to the unintentional generation of EM energy from a system or device.

Moreover, conducted susceptibility and radiated susceptibility refers to a device’s or system’s vulnerability to conducted and radiated emissions, respectively. These can also be referred to as conducted immunity and radiated immunity, which instead specifies a system’s or device’s resistance to both types of emissions.

Introducing partners or suppliers

Expando has partners and suppliers that are qualified to perform the tests and we are happy to guide you on that.

If your rugged server or workstation is expected to operate in proximity to any number of electrical and electronic systems, a MIL-STD-461 compliance certification is a must. That is why Expando assures our products to be MIL-STD-461 certified.
Check out our next news article on the MIL-STD-810 series if you’re interested in learning more about military and industrial standards.

Contact us for price questions and technical solutions at info@expando.se or call us at +46 (0)8-544 900 44.

Filed Under: News

Meet Daniel Lund, our new Key Account Manager

29 April, 2022 av Elin Skarin

The Expando crew is welcoming Daniel Lund on board. Daniel has many years of experience as a Capability Manager within the Gripen E project as well as having a great experience working with the military. With your experience and passion, you will be a great addition to our team. Welcome to Expando!

Photo of Expando's new member

We at Expando have a welcome package for each of our new members. The aim is to get to know our colleagues better by asking them to answer a few professional and personal questions. So, keep reading to learn more about Daniel!

What did you do before you joined Expando? 
A great part of my work life has been spent in the military, and for the last 3 years, I’ve worked as a capability manager at FMV within the Gripen E project.

How would you describe your first few weeks at Expando?
Since I started during the Eastern period it hasn’t been too intense, which has given me a calm and smooth onboarding. I’ve felt more than welcome here at Expando and have been given time to get to know the company, its products, and its customers.

What do you think you can bring to the role as a key account manager here at Expando?
I think with my previous experience with the Swedish armed forces and the Swedish defence administration I can hopefully understand our customers and their need for our rugged products and the harsh environment they need to operate in, and through that create a long-lasting trustworthy collaboration.

Tell us a little about your journey to Expando and what are you most looking forward to in your new role here?
I got in touch with Expando and Otto (Expando’s CEO) through a mutual friend, and after an ongoing conversation for a while, it felt right to join Expando on their journey.

I’m looking forward to being on this side of the supply chain of the defense industry and having the opportunity to see our product go all the way from components to a fully operating system on the other end, it feels very inspiring and challenging.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Agile, Competitive, Grateful

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?
Doing something is better than doing nothing

What do you enjoy doing as soon as you have spare time?
Play golf, if the weather is nice and I have some spare time you’ll find me on a golf course

At the top of my bucket list is…
Skiing in Aspen

My Favorite podcast is…
Fighter Pilot Podcast

The top 3 apps used on my phone currently are…
Spotify, FotMob and GlofMore

We are looking forward to working with you and seeing you achieve great things! If you have any questions, feel free to check Daniel’s LinkedIn here.

Filed Under: News

How does exercise Cold Response 2022 helps militaries test their equipment and train the soldiers?

30 March, 2022 av Expando

Cold Response is a long-planned exercise bringing together around 30,000 soldiers from 27 NATO Allies and their partner nations to test their ability to work in cold weather conditions. This year’s large-scale edition has started on 14 March and will continue to 1 April 2022 across Norway.

Helicopter crew shifts

(Image: Jacqueline C. Arre / Armed Force Marine)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: News

Meet Calle Anderfors, our new Senior Sales Manager

22 March, 2022 av Elin Skarin

We’re pleased to introduce our new Senior Sales Manager Carl Johan Anderfors. He has many years of experience in technical sales roles and key account management within the electronics and embedded industry. He has worked in both smaller startup companies and larger corporations. 

It’s his love for the mix of technical discussions and commercial discussions with customers that makes us certain we will find success together. Welcome to Expando Carl!

 

 

What did you do before you joined Expando?

All my work life I have been working with Technical sales roles and key account management  in the electronics and embedded industry, both for smaller startup companies but also larger corporations. I started as a FAE but realized quickly that I also wanted to be responsible for the commercial piece of the business.

Tell us a little about your journey to Expando and what are you most looking forward to in your new role here?

I met with Otto and the Expando team through a common friend that introduced me to Expando. He  thought I would be a good fit for the open sales role at Expando. I like the environment of being part of a small company where decisions can be made fast.

I really enjoy the mix of technical discussions and commercial discussions with our customers.

What do you love most about your job role?

I like the mix of technical and commercial discussions and I think it suits me really good.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Persevering

Stubborn (when needed)

Helpful

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?

Don’t lose your interest in technology, keep that focus.

What do you enjoy doing as soon as you have spare time?

Kitesurfing.

Tell us something most people don’t know about you.

 I have, together with colleagues from HGST (former employer) bicycled from Frankfurt to Calais and the year after from London to Brussels, both trips as fundraisers for Bowelcancer.

Tell us about your proudest accomplishment either personal or professional or maybe both!

We have rebuilt 2 houses (with help),  living in the houses during the rebuilds and I am still married to my wife , even after 2 long journeys of having craftsmen in our houses for years.

A hidden talent of mine is...I can do a Jug sling knot

At the top of my bucket list is…To do a Motorcycle Trip in Upper Nepal

One thing I can’t live without is…Music

My Favorite podcast is…Värvet

You have your own late night talk show, who do you invite as your first guest? My grandfather who passed away when I was 10, it would be so interesting to learn from him about his life early in the 1900s.

The top 3 apps used on my phone currently are…

Windy

Wordfeud

Smhi

Filed Under: News, Okategoriserade

Expando released own rugged server HALF19 for ultra-high performance

24 February, 2022 av Expando

We have launched our new HALF19 series of rugged servers aimed at bringing core computing infrastructure closer to the edge. This is our response to the growing demand for “distributed intelligent architectures” to help our customers collect and process data at the edge. 

half19 server

Why we developed the new HALF19 family

This family of products, HALF19 Rugged servers, is the first of many that further enhances our offering of premium quality components and systems for the defense technology and aerospace markets, at competitive prices and best-in-class service excellence.

For access to our full HALF19 server datasheet please provide your email by filling out this form and we will get back to you shortly.

What makes the HALF19 better?

HALF19 is a family of rugged servers and workstations with aluminum construction, designed for applications that require robust and qualified MIL-GRADE equipment, suitable for operations in harsh environments.

Durability, reliability, and security are three key characteristics that every worthwhile, stress-tested rugged server should have. After all, you want your particular application, whether military, industrial, or commercial, to be as consistent, stable, and low-maintenance as possible.

Our ruggedized HALF19 servers are stress-tested to the extreme in order to ensure that your commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or custom server is able to withstand even the harshest of conditions on land, in air, and at sea.

What does our new HALF19 server family mean for you? 

Our new HALF19 2U Rugged Server is half the size and twice as powerful.

  • Outstanding support for modern software I.e. VMware
  • High-Performance 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors
  • Up to 6 removable SSD
  • HW RAID
  • Best in class support and warranty
  • MIL-STD-810G
  • It can work in up to (65degrees C)
  • It’s narrower and shorter than standard servers. 213x88x450 (W x H x D)
  • An aluminum construction design makes for a lightweight product
  • Our server is DC or AC powered

Your long term reliable partner

Expando AB provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. With 20 years of experience, we have a broad portfolio that allows us to deliver high-quality specialized solutions that push the boundaries in different environments, such as space, aerospace, defense, industrial and commercial avionics.

For access to the full HALF19 server Data Sheet please provide your email and we will get back to you shortly.

We aim to be your long-term reliable partner by listening to your requests and providing you with the solutions you need most. 

Contact us for price questions and technical solutions at info@expando.se or call us at +46 (0)8-544 900 44. 

Filed Under: News Tagged With: expando, half19

What makes a server rugged?

31 January, 2022 av Expando

Evaluating and comparing rugged commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and COTS-based solutions can be confusing. Although military ruggedization standards make the process easier, the techniques and methodologies used to ensure ruggedness and reliability can differ from one vendor to another.

While researching the many different rugged computers and servers on the market, you may encounter three categories of ruggedization: semi-rugged, fully rugged and ultra-rugged. In this article we’ll cover what each of these categories mean, and why it’s important to know the difference. 

What qualifies as rugged design?

Rugged computing devices (whether semi-rugged or fully-rugged) are built for use away from air-conditioned indoor areas. They’re built for a longer life cycle than an enterprise or consumer-grade machine, which means breakdowns and damage are less frequent. 

A truly rugged device will have at least two forms of certification. One is Military Standard (MIL-STD), which proves the device has undergone a series of stress tests originally devised for military equipment. The other is IP-rating, which verifies water- and dust-proofing.

If you’re looking for a device with legitimate rugged design – one that will perform in many different environments, such as high humidity, high or low temperatures, vibration, mechanical shock etc. then certifications are the golden ticket of ruggedization. They are what make a rugged computer truly rugged.

When would you use a rugged device?

A rugged device could be used by the military to support mission-critical weapons, radar and communications systems, or by industries to support assembly line automation and to collect field data. Rugged computers are used in a variety of industries, including defense, space, aviation, aerospace, big data, industrial automation, health care, entertainment, agriculture, energy and telecommunications. Any program or application that requires durability and powerful performance can benefit from the introduction of a rugged computer or device. 

Semi-Rugged, Fully Rugged and Ultra-Rugged: What’s the difference?

First, we want to highlight that these categories are not standardized by any organizational body. A device that one rugged computer hardware manufacturer says is fully rugged may be considered semi-rugged or even ultra-rugged by another. The below explanations are definitions based on how the industry commonly uses these terms.

Semi-rugged devices

Semi-rugged laptops are designed for professionals who need an office-style computer with a full keyboard, but who spend their day in a hard-hat or non-office environment where safety and climate control isn’t guaranteed (on a building site for example). 

Industries that commonly use semi-rugged laptops include automotive, manufacturing, law enforcement, and certain utilities, but in truth, any industry or enterprise where physical risks to your device are not trivial, or where mobile connectivity and information security must always be maintained, or where you might need your laptop to run on battery power for a full shift or longer, would be better served by a semi-rugged than a consumer or business-grade device. It’s helpful to think of a semi-rugged device as a COTS computer with limited rugged features.

Semi-rugged devices are typically equipped with a few parts that have undergone stress testing or certification to military and industrial standards. For instance, a semi-rugged device may have a hard drive that’s resistant to mechanical shock, or an outer covering that can withstand some rain.

Fully rugged devices 

Fully rugged devices are commonly seen supporting military and industrial applications in riskier environments than the semi-rugged device. Simply put, they’re more durable than a semi-rugged device but less ruggedized than the specialized ultra-rugged device.

Depending on their certifications, fully rugged devices can be dropped, impacted, exposed to extremely high or low temperatures, withstand high levels of humidity, endure heavy rain and direct sunlight exposure for prolonged periods, and the list goes on.

An example of a fully rugged device is a military computer or a rugged blade server and its electronic components. Fully rugged devices won’t suffer from a performance decline in extreme environments. This makes them ideal for mission-critical applications, which require continuous operation.

Ultra-rugged devices 

Ultra-rugged devices are a little pricier than fully rugged devices. This is because they are near indestructible. They’re designed to endure the harshest conditions the world has to offer.

Ultra-rugged device often refers to a fanless, sealed, conformal-coated device, one that could even survive being submerged in water.

For a device to be considered “ultra-rugged” it must be stress-tested beyond the requirements of the semi-rugged and fully rugged devices. If you’re looking for a device that can be literally frozen, left out in the desert sun, or dropped from three feet onto a cement floor, the ultra-rugged device is the right choice.

Expando AB specializes in fully rugged servers, rugged mission computers, rugged servers, routers and switches. We act as representative or distributor for first class suppliers and our aim is to be your long term reliable partner. To discuss your rugged server needs with us get in touch.

Filed Under: News

How the James Webb Space Telescope will see further into space than ever before

21 December, 2021 av Expando

NASA is preparing to launch a space telescope that will see further into the Universe than anything else ever built. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), named after James E Webb, the Nasa boss who oversaw the Apollo Moon-landing project, has taken 30 years and £7.5bn to develop. It is being described as one of the grand scientific endeavors of the 21st Century.

webb telescope

Revolutionize our understanding of distant planets 

What we can achieve with the James Webb Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope, a joint collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, is set to be the most powerful space telescope ever. We will be able to see just about anything in the sky. It has one overriding objective – to see the light coming from the very first stars to shine in the Universe. These pioneer stars are thought to have switched on about 100-200 million years after the Big Bang, or a little over 13.5 billion years ago.

Webb will be picking out groupings of these stars. They are so far away, their light – even though it moves at 300,000km (186,000 miles) per second – will have taken billions of years to travel the cosmos. Webb is the first telescope to be able to see (or at least detect a faint glow from) the moment when the darkness ended and those first stars flickered into life.

Why we want to see further than ever before 

When the Universe was formed in the Big Bang, it contained only three chemical elements – hydrogen, helium and a smattering of lithium. Every other chemical element – including those vital to life, such as carbon and oxygen – had to be forged, or “manufactured”, by nuclear reactions at the center of stars.

This telescope will help us understand the origins of everything we see around us, and even more than that – how we came to be.

How does the James Webb Telescope differ from existing space telescopes?

It’s much bigger than the Hubble telescope, which has been orbiting Earth since 1990 collecting light using a main mirror that’s 2.4m across. Webb has a primary mirror that’s a staggering 6.5m in diameter. And with all the other associated equipment, Webb is almost the size of a tennis court. It’s so big, in fact, it has to be folded to fit inside its launch rocket. 

Apart from its size, one key aspect of Webb is that it is tuned to detect light that Hubble simply cannot. This light is invisible to the human eye, but it’s the type of light in which the glow from the most distant objects in the Universe will show up.

How does the Telescope actually work?

The telescope is basically an instrument that is extremely sensitive to the infrared light emerging from the farthest corners of our universe. A light beam becomes infrared when its wavelength gets stretched as it travels for billions of years and billions of light-years. The Webb telescope will gather these infrared wavelengths, break down their properties and squeeze out any and every information stored in them about their origin and the environment they traveled through in many years.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has a shiny giant mirror made of gold hexagons – here’s why

Have you seen images online of a giant, golden honeycomb poised to launch into space? That’s the iconic mirror that will allow the James Webb Space Telescope to study corners of the cosmos that we’ve never before seen.

Aside from its hexagonal shape and enormous size, Webb’s most distinctive feature is probably its shiny, gold mirror. The mirror is made up of 18 smaller mirrors that together allow mission teams to use the scope to measure light from extremely distant galaxies, billions of light-years away. Fun fact about these gold mirrors – they are said to reflect 98% of incoming photons and are painted gold 

Now, while Webb’s mirror segments are coated in gold, they are not made of solid gold. They are actually constructed from beryllium, a strong but lightweight metal. Each mirror piece weighs about 46 pounds (20 kilograms) on Earth. In addition to being extremely durable while comparably lightweight, beryllium can also hold its shape at the extreme cold temperatures that Webb will need to operate at, according to a NASA statement. 

When will it launch?

After many delays, Webb is scheduled to go into orbit on christmas eve, 24 December 2021. It will be launched on a European Ariane-5 rocket from French Guiana. The European Space Agency is a partner on the project, and has agreed to take on the responsibility of getting Webb into space.

Expando inspired by the James Webb Space Telescope

In order to carry out this mission, several innovative and powerful new technologies have been developed. The James Webb Telescope will have a unique and profound role in transforming our understanding of astrophysics and the origins of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. As a company that operates at the heart of innovation in the defense and aerospace industries, we understand how essential these developments are to maintaining our technological edge and security. This project has been exciting to follow and we look forward to the launch which is the key to expanding our knowledge of the universe. 

Expando provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. With 20 years of experience, we have a broad portfolio that allows us to deliver high quality specialized solutions and space qualified components that push the boundaries in different environments, such as space, aerospace, defense, industrial and commercial avionics. 

Expando AB is a regional expert offering planetary defence components and integration projects. We act as representative or distributor for first class suppliers and our aim is to be your long term reliable partner. Contact us to discuss your future projects at info@expando.se or call us at +46 (0)8-544 900 44. 

Filed Under: News

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Expando’s latest news

  • Countdown to DSEI 2023!
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  • Join us at the 11th DALO Industry Day
  • Updated company leaflet!
  • Introducing the XChange6300 Embedded Services Router (ESR) from X-ES

Featured Products

VPT: VXR100-2800S DC-DC Converter
WOLF's modular video graphic solutions

Who we are

At Expando, we take pride in our deep knowledge in our offerings, our personal service and interest in our customers need.

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Address

Svärdvägen 25A
182 33 Danderyd
Sweden

Contact

Phone: +46 8 544 900 44
info@expando.se

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ISO Certificate / JOSCAR Certificate

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