Austin, TX.— May 16th, 2023 – Quantic Wenzel, a leader in crystal oscillators, frequency sources, and integrated microwave assemblies has completed delivery of a space-qualified frequency synthesizer assembly for NASA’s Europa Clipper mission. Scheduled to launch next year, the spacecraft will orbit Jupiter to perform a detailed exploration of Europa – a moon that shows evidence for an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crust and which could host conditions suitable for life.
“Our support of the Europa Clipper mission is another exciting step in our work with JPL,” said Jigar Shah, Director of Business Development at Quantic Wenzel. “Wenzel is widely known as a company that RF engineers come to when they need to solve their unique frequency reference and timing challenges for space applications.”
Europa Clipper will carry instrumentation that can look directly into the moon’s icy shell. It is called the Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface, or REASON. REASON will use radio waves to penetrate Europa’s ice as much as 18 miles deep. It will search for the moon’s suspected ocean, measure ice thickness, and study the ice’s internal structure, including any internal water bodies that may connect the surface and the ocean. Working closely with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, which manages the mission, Quantic Wenzel engineered and manufactured a custom, space-qualified frequency synthesizer assembly. The assembly consists of a single stable local oscillator that generates the reference frequencies for all the instrument timing signals. Earlier this month, Quantic Wenzel celebrated its 30th year supporting space RF/MW applications.
About Quantic Wenzel:
Since 1978, Wenzel has set the standard for ultra-low phase noise crystal oscillators, a portfolio complemented by a range of advanced frequency sources and integrated microwave assemblies to 30 GHz and beyond. Wenzel’s frequency control and timing products are designed into mission-critical military, space and commercial applications, and perform in the most extreme environments. Unmatched precision, low-g sensitivity and ultra-low phase noise distinguish our engineering expertise, so our customers can execute with full confidence – and without hesitation. And as a Quantic company, we’re part of an extended engineering ecosystem and powerful supply chain, defining a competitive advantage that extends to every customer.
About NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory:
Founded by Caltech researchers, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a federally funded center for exploring the solar system and more distant expanses that humans cannot yet reach. JPL leads missions in planetary exploration, Earth science, and space-based astronomy. Their spacecraft and telescopes probe the farthest reaches of our solar system and discover worlds beyond, while also observing our home planet to provide crucial insights on climate and to assist in disaster recovery.
Media Contact:
William Walsh
william.walsh@quanticwenzel.com
(512) 835-2038
Sales Contact:
Jigar Shah
jigar.shah@quanticwenzel.com
(512) 835-2038
