Established in Cork in 2004, SensL develops highly innovative and advanced silicon photomultipliers (SPM). Silicon photomultipliers detect very low levels of light and are used in many applications including medical imaging, biophotonics, hazard and threat detection, and LIDAR, replacing vacuum tube photomultipliers with a low cost, high performance, reliable silicon sensor.

The ESA contract will involve the deployment of SensL's silicon photomultipliers in a number of applications. SPM sensors will be deployed in range-finding LIDAR cameras that will determine the location of suitable terrain for lunar landings. Looking at light levels down to the photon level, SensL's SPMs will provide a visual map of the area that the rover will land and operate in. In another ESA application, SensL technology will be used in gamma-ray spectroscopy for element and isotope analysis.

Congratulating SensL, Minister Sherlock said: "SensL is one of the growing number of Irish companies performing in the premier league in terms of global space technology and has confirmed its position as a supplier of highly innovative, cost effective solutions in the cutting-edge space technology market sector. In this, SensL is benefiting from Ireland's membership in the European Space Agency in the context of a national space strategy to support Irish technology companies. SensL is a prime example of a company that is deploying space related technology in fields such as medical imaging . Read full story on SensL.com