Bulgarian-founded company developed cameras for NASA’s Artemis 2 mission

Cameras used in the Artemis 2 space mission were produced by U.S.-based company ImperX, founded by Bulgarian engineer Petko Dinev, Nikola Kerekov of the science, philosophy and technology platform Ratio.bg told Bulgarian National Radio (BNR).

The electronics and part of the sensors for the high-tech cameras — designed to operate in extreme conditions, including the vacuum of space — were developed in Bulgaria, Kerekov said. Some components were assembled by Bulgarian engineers before being sent into space aboard the Orion spacecraft, he added.

“The cameras are very similar to those used in SpaceX missions. They were developed by Bulgarian engineer Petko Dinev,” Kerekov said.

ImperX cameras were also used on the Israeli Beresheet lunar lander, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, according to the company’s website.

Dr Petko Dinev is the founder and chief executive of ImperX. He holds a degree in applied physics from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and a master’s and PhD in electrical engineering from Florida Atlantic University. His work focuses on digital imaging technologies, including cameras for consumer, industrial, military and space applications. In 1998, his doctoral research on ultrasound brain imaging was recognised at the Merrill Lynch Innovation Grants Competition. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Imaging Technology Commercial Space Center at Florida Atlantic University.

Editor: Diana Tsankova

Edited and posted in English by E. Radkova