An 8-megapixel CMOS image sensor, 4K video at 30 frames per second, and a camera mass below 70 grams in a package measuring less than 35 × 35 × 43 mm: ASTERIA combines high-resolution imaging with a compact form factor for spacecraft integration.
3D PLUS developed the ASTERIA concept to address the combined constraints of imaging performance, mass and integration volume in space applications.
During Space Tech Expo Europe 2025 in Bremen, Julien Bezine, Product Manager for space cameras at 3D PLUS, explained ASTERIA’s architecture and system-level objectives, including frame rate, onboard image processing and reduced size and mass.
ASTERIA integrates an 8-megapixel colour CMOS image sensor. Its specified video modes are 4K at 30 fps, Full HD at 60 fps and HD at up to 120 fps, offering different trade-offs between spatial resolution and temporal sampling.
Applications include visual monitoring of spacecraft subsystems as well as observation and scientific imaging. The appropriate operating mode depends on the required field of view, motion dynamics and mission data budget.
Bezine compares ASTERIA with the IRIS configuration discussed in the interview, which he describes as approximately 400 g with a 4-megapixel sensor. ASTERIA is specified at less than 70 g, with 8 megapixels and 4K video at 30 fps. This comparison applies to the cited configurations, not necessarily every camera in the IRIS family.
The ASTERIA specification lists a camera mass below 70 g and dimensions below 35 × 35 × 43 mm.
Reduced camera mass and installation volume can offer additional flexibility in mounting positions, spacecraft structural design and payload configuration. Any system-level gains in mass, cost or performance must be assessed against the mission-specific electrical, data, mechanical and thermal interfaces.
Onboard image processing is another integral part of the ASTERIA architecture.
3D PLUS lists automatic exposure control, colour and gamma correction, pixel correction, HDR, windowing and image compression among its onboard functions.
Onboard processing can influence the allocation of downstream image-processing tasks. Data-path design still depends on frame rate, image format, compression settings and the effective interface bandwidth required by the mission.
Manufacturer announcements identify Gigabit Ethernet as the baseline interface. The current product overview also lists SpaceWire versions with separate part numbers. Availability and qualification status of individual variants should be confirmed with 3D PLUS during project evaluation.
ASTERIA is an example of the 3D PLUS 10X development philosophy.
In our earlier interview, CEO Pierre-Eric Berthet explained why the company aims to challenge existing designs instead of focusing solely on incremental improvements.
Go to article: 3D PLUS: Why innovation in space electronics goes beyond miniaturization
The camera development illustrates this thinking by considering imaging performance, mass, volume and onboard processing as part of the overall architecture.
Space camera selection requires engineers to evaluate resolution and frame rate alongside mass budget, data interface, power consumption, environmental constraints and qualification status. The documented ASTERIA characteristics provide a starting point, with further integration parameters to be established for each mission.
Next week, from 17 to 19 November 2026, Space Tech Expo Europe returns to Bremen. If you want to discuss ASTERIA’s architecture, interfaces or integration requirements in person, meet the 3D PLUS team at our shared stand in Hall 5, Booth F11.
Arrange a meeting with 3D PLUS and MSA Components in Bremen:
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Von der Bauteilauswahl bis zum Design-in: Unser Vertriebsteam berät Sie persönlich, telefonisch, per Videokonferenz oder vor Ort. Wir nehmen uns 30 Minuten Zeit.