The Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IASS) at the University of Lisbon has been awarded the Golden Vector Award 2024 for their work on MOONS (the Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph), built by the MOONS consortium led by UK ATC.

Presented every two years by igus, who manufacture high-performance polymers for mechanical components in motion. There were 328 submissions from 37 countries and IASS's use of their products on MOONS was considered 'the most spectacular energy chain application of the last two years' by the jury.

A critical challenge involved safeguarding the delicate optical fibres that carry light from the rotating front end to the spectrograph. Here, the engineers used high-performance plastic energy chains from the triflex series by igus. These robust components shield the fibres from stress induced during movement, preserving the integrity of scientific observations.​​

Alexandre Pereira Cabral, who is responsible for the instrumentation group at IASS and ​responsible for the Front End Assemblies​ on MOONS, said: “This award demonstrates the level of creativity and innovation that this type of instrument requires. The result was only possible thanks to the teamwork carried out by the MOONS consortium, especially with ​UK ATC colleagues, which has enabled innovative solutions to be found for complex problems in state-of-the-art astrophysics instrumentation."

Find out more and see the other winners [please note this weblink takes you to German language site].​​