The Open University secures over £900k ESA funding for pioneering space imaging project

The Open University (OU) has secured a significant funding boost of more than £900,000 from the European Space Agency (ESA) to further its cutting-edge work on space imaging technology. The new funding - totalling £924,214.42 - supports the next phase of development in a project poised to play a vital role in the future of space-based astronomy.

Dubbed “Theseus 2,” the initiative builds on the OU’s original research into CMOS image sensors, which are essential components for a proposed space-based X-ray telescope, Theseus. This telescope is a leading candidate for ESA’s next Medium-class (M-class) science mission. The OU’s advanced pixel sensor design, based on its own patented intellectual property, offers world-class performance in soft X-ray imaging - an essential capability for exploring the high-energy universe.

The Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI) at the OU is leading the project in collaboration with UK-based company Teledyne e2v, a long-standing partner with whom the University has worked since 2008. The first phase of this partnership, initiated in 2020, led to the creation of a groundbreaking sensor. With this new ESA contract extension, the team will now develop and test much larger sensors, measuring up to 4.5 x 9 cm, building on their previous success.

The ambition of the project is to deliver superior detector performance that will bolster the case for Theseus to be selected by ESA. Long-term ambition includes flying the sensor in space and gathering vital scientific data across multiple disciplines - ranging from cosmology to astrophysics.

What sets this project apart is not just its scientific excellence, but its broader real-world impact. The imaging technology under development has the potential to revolutionise applications far beyond space science, including advances in life sciences and materials research. This aligns closely with the OU’s commitment to tackling Open Societal Challenges, particularly in the domain of "living well" - improving quality of life through innovative technologies.

The success of Theseus 2 reflects the OU’s growing influence as a hub of academic excellence and high-impact research. As the University continues to break new ground in imaging science, this project exemplifies how the OU combines world-leading expertise with societal relevance - advancing both knowledge and global wellbeing.