cosine participated in the SPIE Optics + Photonics 2025 conference in San Diego, where Dr Nicolas Barrière gave two talks on the latest developments in Silicon Pore Optics (SPO).
The first presentation focused on NewAthena, ESA’s next-generation X-ray observatory, currently under preparation for adoption in 2027 and launch around 2038. With its 2.6 m diameter, 12 m focal length optic and an unprecedented collecting area of more than 1 m² at 1 keV, NewAthena will be the largest X-ray telescope ever built. Such performance is made possible by SPO, jointly developed by ESA and cosine. The paper highlighted progress in optics production and the transition toward mass production of the hundreds of SPO mirror modules required.
The second presentation demonstrated the versatility of SPO by adapting it to a shorter focal length (4 m) telescope design. This innovative configuration achieves ~3000 cm² effective area at 1 keV with a field of view above 30 arcminutes, well-suited for mission concepts like ExCEED and OGRE. Importantly, this design uses the same proven SPO technology and manufacturing processes already being prepared for NewAthena, making it possible to scale up quickly and cost-effectively.
You can download and read the presented papers here on our website.
About cosine
cosine is a leading worldwide company in the development of space instrumentation, such as Silicon Pore Optics for astronomy and remote sensing solutions with onboard analytics for Earth Observation and planetary science. cosine combines physics and technology to bring out-of-the-box solutions to its clients. cosine has been developing and delivering innovative measurement systems for space and industrial applications since 1998. The company operates more than 1,000 m2 of cleanrooms and high-tech assembly facilities to build and test the systems we produce for customers at our headquarters in Sassenheim, The Netherlands and at subsidiaries in Berlin, Germany and Benevento, Italy.
