Image of Crystalspace - CS-101 Kikas on the satsearch marketplace

Key highlights

5 MP, 12-bit visible-light imaging in RGB or monochrome.
Compact 42 × 25 × 45 mm form factor and 50 g mass without optics.
600 mW nominal power draw and 900 mW peak during imaging and compression.
Flight heritage dating to 2013, with configurable optics and camera head orientation.

Applications

Monitor solar panel and antenna deployments and other mission events on CubeSats.
Provide imagery for computer vision and navigation on lightweight rovers.
Monitor lander descent, surface operations, and instrument deployment.
Capture Earth imagery for public outreach.

Key features

Optics with diagonal fields of view from 20° to 120° and a working distance from 100 mm to infinity.
UART, RS-485, RS-422, and CAN communication options.
Onboard storage for 150 full-resolution RAW images. The camera records 5 MP RAW images to onboard memory at 1 fps.
Onboard video recording at 480p and 10 fps, 720p and 5 fps, or 1080p and 1 fps.
In-camera JPEG compression, windowing, and binning to support higher frame rates.
3.3 V DC input, −30 to +70 °C operating temperature, and −40 to +80 °C storage temperature.

Customization

CrystalSpace offers horizontal and vertical camera head configurations, RGB or monochrome imaging, and optics with or without an IR-cut filter. CrystalSpace shares the qualified lens options list under a signed NDA and can customize the camera head for mission-specific integration. Contact CrystalSpace for configuration pricing.

Flight heritage

The CS-101 Kikas has been at TRL 9 since 2013. It has flown on missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) and has been used on lunar rovers. Its flight applications include mission monitoring and capturing Earth imagery for public outreach.

Manufacturing

CrystalSpace designs and assembles the CS-101 Kikas in Estonia using traceable components. The camera is tested in the EU and is available as an Engineering Model (EM), Engineering Qualification Model (EQM), or Flight Model (FM).

Testing & qualification

CrystalSpace tests Flight Models for sine and random vibration, shock, thermal-vacuum cycling, and functional performance, and performs a visual inspection. Engineering Qualification Model testing includes vibration and functional tests and a visual inspection.

CrystalSpace can align test profiles with mission requirements. The Flight Model data package includes a Certificate of Conformance, an Interface Control Document, and an Assembly, Integration and Testing report.

Export control

The CS-101 Kikas is ITAR-free. For destination-specific export or procurement questions, contact [email protected].

Distributors

For ordering and regional availability, contact CrystalSpace directly at [email protected].

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Last updated: 2026-11-10

Crystalspace