IDEAS signs contract to supply electronics to the European Space Agency’s ARRAKIHS Mission

Oslo, Norway – October 2025

Integrated Detector Electronics AS (IDEAS) has officially signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a Near Infrared Interface Electronics Board for the ARRAKIHS instrument, marking a major milestone in Norway’s contribution to ESA’s science missions. IDEAS has previously designed and delivered integrated circuits to multiple science missions, however this project represents the company’s first complete subsystem delivery to the prestigious science program.

The ARRAKIHS payload aims to explore, at unprecedented depth, the predictions of the Λ-Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model and to assess the significance of the reported tensions between model and observations in the local Universe. The mission will provide key tests with which to probe both the nature of dark matter and baryonic physics currently adopted in state-of-the art galaxy formation models, by using advanced near-infrared imaging techniques.

“This is a result of many years of focused work by IDEAS in close collaboration with both the European and Norwegian Space Agencies and a major step forward for Norwegian contributions to ESA’s science missions,” says Gunnar Maehlum (IDEAS), CEO of IDEAS. “Our team is excited to bring its expertise in microelectronics, radiation detection and system design to a mission that not only advances astrophysics but also strengthens the industrial footprint in Norway, in an industry that is experiencing significant growth globally.”

“We are very happy to see a competent SME like IDEAS included in the ESA science program” said Pål Brekke, Lead Space Science at the Norwegian Space Agency. “The company has a history of developing and delivering top notch technology. This contract is again proving their ability to deliver and we believe more opportunities will come their way.”