ENVISTA Satellite view MERIS integrated (Courtesy ESA) The High Precision Positioner for the MERIS instrument is an example of a successful development carried out by APCO Technologies SA for a space programme. This project required knowledge and skills in the following areas: high precision high vacuum cleanliness reliability

MERIS High Precision Positioner

The High Precision Positioner is used for the calibration of the spectrometer cameras of MERIS instrument in vacuum conditions. This equipment, holding the instrument, was located and operated successfully in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber. It worked in cleanliness class 100.

For the calibration operation the orientation of MERIS is scanned over a range of angles and vertical and horizontal translations with respect to the calibration light beam. Control of the position and alignment of MERIS is of the highest importance for this operation and the achieved tolerances are 10 seconds of arc on rotation and 10 µm on both translation axes. The equipment is computer controlled from outside the vacuum chamber.