Media Release By Electro optic Systems Holdings (EOS)
Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS) has entered into an agreement with Callaghan Innovation to acquire the assets and hire the personnel of KiwiStar Optics (KSO).
KSO produces precision optics (telescope lenses up to and over 1 m in diameter) and spectrographs.
EOS will make a significant investment in KSO to protect and grow its technologies. KSO has a small workforce who are highly trained in precision optics and/or have educational backgrounds in engineering, physics, mathematics, astronomy or optics.
EOS has been a major customer of KSO for many years, and EOS sees an opportunity to leverage its own global network to expand KSO’s marketing and distribution reach.
EOS is also investing to add further capability to KSO through an investment in new state-of-the-art optical equipment via the asset purchase of Arizona Optical Services, a world leader in the manufacture of large aspheric optics. This will augment the existing equipment and skill base of the KSO team.
Electro Optic Systems (EOS)
EOS operates in two divisions: Defence Systems and Space Systems:
- Defence Systems specialises in technology for weapon systems optimisation and integration, as well as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and C4 systems for land warfare. Its key products are next-generation remote weapon systems, vehicle turrets, and counter-UAS and C4 systems.
- Space Systems includes all EOS space and communications businesses and operates as three entities: SpaceLink, EM Solutions and Space Technologies. SpaceLink is developing a constellation of Medium Earth Orbit satellites to create the communications superhighway for the space economy. EM Solutions provides global satellite communications services and systems. Space Technologies specialises in applying EOS-developed optical sensors to detect, track, classify and characterise objects in space and remains integral to research and development across the group. www.eos-aus.com
KiwiStar Optics
KiwiStar Optics produces precision optics for astronomy. The company designs, manufactures and installs large precision lenses, astronomical spectrographs, optical components and instruments, and offers end-to-end custom solutions.
KSO makes the following products:
- Large precision optics: Telescope lenses in the 0.5 m–1 m range remain a niche market internationally due to the inherent technical challenges in the relevant manufacturing processes. KSO’s master opticians have a specialist skill set that enables the design, milling, polishing and alignment processes to produce high-quality large precision optics.
- Spectrographs: KSO has significant technical expertise and experience in spectrograph design, manufacture and installation. The KiwiSpec R4 100 (“KiwiSpec”) is an off-the-shelf spectrograph suitable for medium- to large-sized telescopes. The IP ownership of the KiwiSpec is split 60 per cent to KSO and 40 per cent to its designer, Dr Stuart Barnes. KiwiSpecs have been installed internationally, including in Hawaii, the US and Australia.
Callaghan Innovation
Callaghan Innovation, a Crown entity of New Zealand, has the task of making New Zealand business more innovative. It was established in February 2013 and Industrial Research Limited, a Crown Research Institute, was merged into it. The institute takes its name from Sir Paul Callaghan, a prominent New Zealand physicist who died in 2012. Callaghan Innovation activates innovation and helps businesses grow faster for a better New Zealand.
Image Supplied: Electro Optic Systems Pty Limited
