Aerospace Cryogenic Systems

Pushing the envelope

In 1962, Sumitomo Heavy Industries took on the challenge of cryogenic technology in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Today, the challenge continues in space. Cooling the sensor is an effective method for increasing sensitivity to light for capturing faint light in space. Sumitomo Heavy Industries has been supplying cryogenic equipment to numerous satellites and detectors. Besides cryogenic equipment, now even peripheral technologies, such as the soil sample collection device on the asteroid explorer "Hayabusa", have demonstrated exceptional performance. With our advanced technologies, our contribution to fields such as space observation and earth observation will continue.

80K Stirling Cryocoolers

FS1ST is a lightweight, single-stage Stirling cryocooler with long service life and specialized for the space environment. This cryocooler is ideal for cooling detectors and heat shields.

20K Stirling Cryocoolers

LB2ST is a two-stage Stirling cryocooler specialized for space. It can be used to cool heat shields and pre-cool JT circuits. Employing a special mechanism (patented) to achieve a long service life, this cryocooler was adopted by the X-ray astronomy satellite Hitomi (ASTRO-H) that was launched in 2016, and will be equipped on the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission scheduled to be launched in 2021.

4K/1K Cryocoolers

The 4K cryocooler and the 1K cryocooler are the result of the technological union of the Joule Thomson (JT) cryocooler and the 20K Stirling cryocooler.

Cryostats (Cooling Device)

The cryostat for space is the culmination of Sumitomo Heavy Industries' cryotechnology that combines vacuum containers, liquid helium containers, and cryocoolers.

Mechanical Components

With our craftsmanship cultivated over the years, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, as a comprehensive machinery manufacturer, provides customers with Mechanical Components exhibiting excellent performance and functions in extreme space environments.