Oxford Instruments working on space mission

Oxford Instruments has announced it is working on a pioneering spectrometer for a space mission.

The high technology tools and systems company is collaborating with the University of Helsinki to design an X-ray detector system and sensor unit for the analysis of particles observed on the planet Mercury.

It is working for the European Space Agency’s BepiColombo mission, set to launch in 2013 on a journey to perform scientific operations on the planet.

The six-year mission will use the SIXS instrument designed by a Finnish consortium led by the Observatory of the University of Helsinki.

A company statement said: "The data of SIXS is very valuable for independent studies of the X-ray Sun and the particle radiation environment around Mercury and its magnetosphere.

"Oxford Instruments is responsible for the design, development, manufacturing and testing of the X-ray detector system and the Sensor Unit for the instrument."

The firm aims to be the leading provider of tools and systems for the emerging nanotechnology and bioscience markets.