GBM

Glast Burst Monitor

Jena-Optronik developed the main parts of the Glast Burst Monitor (GBM) for NASA's Fermi gamma-ray space telescope (former GLAST mission). The aim of the scientific mission is to observe high energy gamma rays and the related astrophysical phenomena.

During the instrument development the company could base on the experience gained during the INTEGRAL mission (International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory) of the European Space Agency ESA. The mission was launched in 2002 and observes simultaneously objects in gamma rays, X-rays and visible light. 

The Glast Burst Monitor (GBM) is sensitive to X-rays and gamma rays with energies between 8 keV and 25 MeV. GBM includes 12 Sodium Iodide (NaI) scintillation detectors and two Bismuth Germanate (BGO) scintillation detectors. During the mission lifetime of five years GBM will search gamma ray bursts, one of the most energetic events in the universe and cause the birth of black holes.

The next-generation Japanese resupply vehicle HTV-X is equipped with sensors from Jena-Optronik.

On its maiden flight, HTV-X - launched on October 26, 2025 - has achieved another critical mission milestone just days later with its successful arrival at the ISS.

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Europe's new weather satellite ‘MetOp SG A1’ successfully launched into space with space optics and electronics from Jena-Optronik

As part of a new generation of modern weather satellites, MetOp-SG A1 began its journey into space on 13 August 2025 and will collect data on the atmosphere, the world's oceans and the Earth's surface around the clock. The aim is to make weather forecasts even more reliable and to better understand climate change.

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NASA honours our contribution to Artemis I

On 3 September 2025, we had the privilege of receiving a special accolade: NASA recognised our company for our contribution to Artemis I. Aboard the first Orion spacecraft, which successfully orbited the Moon in November 2022, were two of our ASTRO APS star trackers.

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Jena-Optronik goes ESA 4S Symposium

For the first time, Jena-Optronik will exhibit at this year’s ESA 4S Symposium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain from 27th to 31st May 2024.

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Space photography

Apollo astronauts as photographers: stunning pictures of our blue marble, the moon and astronauts' lifes 

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Space: It’s all around us

Space inspires us all and creates a wealth of knowledge

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Events

  • Space Tech Expo Europe, Bremen, Germany
    November 18-20, 2025