From Orbit to the Moon

Did You Know?

Smoke detectors used on the International Space Station missed more than 50% of smoke events during tests with common materials such as Teflon and Kapton.

When Traditional Systems Reach Their Limits

Conventional photoelectric detectors only measure the light scattering of a laser beam. In microgravity, floating dust generates false alarms, forcing scientific experiments to stop and lowering crew attentiveness.

Furthermore, these systems are insensitive to ultrafine particles (0.1–0.3 µm), which are common in spacecraft materials.

A Patented Optical Detection Method: More Accurate and Faster

INO has developed a patented optical technology that surpasses the capabilities of traditional photoelectric detectors.

It doesn’t simply detect the presence of particles—it measures their size, type, and distribution in real time.

Key advantages

✅ Early detection of fine particles before complete combustion
✅ Reduced false alarms thanks to the ability to distinguish dust from soot
✅ Continuous monitoring with minimal power consumption
✅ Compact, no moving parts—ideal for long-duration missions

Promising Tests, Conclusive Results

INO’s prototypes have demonstrated their effectiveness in detecting:

• Arizona dust (representative terrestrial dust)
• Lunar regolith simulant
• Soot, an indicator of fire

Tests confirmed the sensor’s ability to distinguish particle types from 0.02 to 2.5 µm, with growing sensitivity up to 10 µm.
With no moving parts or pumps, the system provides increased reliability and minimal maintenance—a critical advantage for long-term space missions.

A Technology Designed for Lunar and Martian Missions

As space agencies plan habitats on the Moon and Mars, INO’s technology is emerging as a unified system for airborne hazard detection.

It meets NASA requirements for safety, fine particulate (PM) monitoring, and protection against lunar dust.

Frequently Asked Questions