Innovative partnership: cosine and Siltronic combine expertise for the NewAthena space telescope

Innovative partnership: cosine and Siltronic combine expertise for the NewAthena space telescope

Munich (Germany) and Sassenheim (Netherlands), September 3, 2025 – Joint press release of cosine and Siltronic

cosine, a leading worldwide company in the development of space instrumentation, and Siltronic AG, one of the leading manufacturers of wafers for the modern semiconductor industry, are pleased to announce a unique collaboration. The target of this partnership is to supply critical technology for ESA’s (European Space Agency) next-generation observatory for high-energy astrophysics, the NewAthena (New Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics) space telescope.

 This collaboration involves high-quality 300 mm silicon wafers from Siltronic AG, which cosine engineers into state-of-the-art X-ray optics called “Silicon Pore Optics” (SPO). The SPO technology is a key element of NewAthena’s revolutionary mirror system and forms the key component of its X-ray optics.

Dr. Rüdiger Schmolke, Chief Technology Officer of Siltronic AG, comments: “We are very pleased to be able to make a significant contribution to the realization of NewAthena’s innovative X-ray optics with our technology.”

Max Collon, Managing Director of cosine innovations, explains: “The precision and purity of Siltronic ’s wafers enable cosine to produce lightweight, high-resolution optics that meet the mission’s demanding performance requirements for space.”
 

 A next-gen telescope for cosmic discoveries

The NewAthena will be the largest X-ray telescope ever built. It was developed under ESA’s Cosmic Vision program and is designed to explore the hot and energetic universe, from black holes to galaxy clusters. It will rely on cosine’s innovative SPO technology, which uses wafer materials of the highest uniformity and defect-free quality.

More information about NewAthena can be found on the ESA website: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/NewAthena_factsheet

Contact Siltronic AG:
Stephanie Malgara
Senior Manager Investor Relations
Einsteinstr. 172
81677 Munich
Phone: +49 (0)89 8564 3133
Email: investor.relations@siltronic.com

Contact cosine:
Dr. Boris Landgraf
Senior Scientist & Business Developer
Warmonderweg 14
2171 AH Sassenheim
Phone: +31 (0)71 528 4962
Email: b.landgraf@cosine.nl

Company profile Siltronic AG:

As one of the leading wafer manufacturers, Siltronic is globally oriented and operates production sites in Asia, Europe, and the USA. Silicon wafers are the foundation of the modern semiconductor industry and the basis for chips in all electronic applications – from computers and smartphones to electric cars and wind turbines. The international company is highly customer-oriented and focuses on quality, precision, innovation, and growth. Siltronic AG employs around 4,400 people worldwide and has been listed in the Prime Standard of the German Stock Exchange since 2015. Siltronic AG shares are included in both the SDAX and TecDAX stock market indices.

Company profile cosine:

cosine is a leading worldwide company in the development of space instrumentation, such as Silicon Pore Optics for astronomy and remote sensing solutions with onboard analytics for Earth Observation and planetary science. cosine combines physics and technology to bring out-of-the-box solutions to its clients. cosine has been developing and delivering innovative measurement systems for space and industrial applications since 1998. The company operates more than 1,000 m² of cleanrooms and high-tech assembly facilities to build and test the systems we produce for customers at our headquarters in Sassenheim, The Netherlands and at subsidiaries in Berlin, Germany and Benevento, Italy.