Teledyne Detectors Deployed on NASA BlackCAT CubeSat

The Space Imaging division of Teledyne, a developer of space-qualified imaging sensors and focal plane arrays for scientific and institutional missions, has announced the successful deployment of its Speedster HyViSI (Hybrid Visible Silicon Imager) focal plane arrays aboard NASA’s BlackCAT CubeSat mission. The mission launched on January 11, 2026, as part of SpaceX’s “Twilight” rideshare mission.Led by Pennsylvania State University, BlackCAT is an x-ray observatory designed within a CubeSat platform to detect x-ray transient events and study bursts of x-rays generated by the collapse of early stars into black holes. The mission will also investigate the early universe using the sensitivity enabled by Teledyne’s detector technology.

At the core of the instrument is the Speedster focal plane array, assembled in a 2×2 mosaic configuration. The detector is integral to BlackCAT’s capability to observe high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Featuring a Si-PIN hybrid CMOS architecture, Speedster HyViSI is designed to deliver high sensitivity to soft x-ray photons while meeting the operational requirements of spaceflight environments.

The detector combines a highly efficient Si-PIN absorber with complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) readout functionality. This architecture supports event-driven fast readout, low power consumption, and radiation-hard performance, making it well suited for space-based x-ray astronomy applications.

“X-ray detection is the natural extension of Teledyne’s HyViSI technology applications,” commented Dr. Yibin Bai, Director of FPA Development. “With its highly adaptable CMOS features and advanced absorber design, the Speedster HyViSI establishes itself as a high-performance alternative to other sensors for x-ray astronomy in space.”

About Teledyne Space Imaging

Teledyne Space Imaging develops space-qualified imaging sensors, focal plane arrays, and camera instrument systems for civil, defense, and commercial space missions. The organization has collaborated on more than 250 space projects with agencies including NASA, ESA, JAXA, and KARI. Its portfolio includes CCD, CMOS, and infrared detectors with integrated optics, packaging, and electronics designed to meet mission-specific performance requirements, and supporting institutional, scientific, and commercial missions across the global space economy. For more information, please click here.

About Teledyne Technologies

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY) provides advanced digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. The company operates primarily in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe.

Source/Photo Credit: Teledyne Space Imaging

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