Dec, 2010

Andrea Ricciardi and Antonio Cerruto conceive the idea of a innovative smart camera for astronomy.

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Mar, 2011

The first prototype of a smart camera based on KAF8300 CCD sensor and Sitara AM1808 microprocessor shoots its first light photos.

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Apr, 2012

AST8300-A starts its production field test.

 

Mar, 2013

Andrea Ricciardi and Antonio Cerruto found ASTREL INSTRUMENTS srl company.

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May, 2014

The INAF-OAR (Italian National Astrophysics Institute-Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma) contracts out the study and prototyping of miniature CMOS cameras to be used in the secondary guide system of the MOONS ((Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph) of the ESO (European Southern Observatory) VLT (Very Large Telescope) on the Cierro Paranal in Chile.

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May, 2014

INAF-OAR (Italian National Astrophysics Institute-Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma) selects a customized version of AST8300-A for ESO (European Southern Observatory) to equip the LPC (Laser Guide Star - Pointing Camera) of VLT Telescope on Cierro Paranal Observatory in Chile.

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Jun, 2014

AST8300-A is on the market.

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May, 2015

Astrel Instruments in collaboration with INAF-OAR (Italian National Astrophysics Institute-Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma) completes the first commissioning phase of LPC-TLS (Laser Pointing Camera - Telescope) for the 4-LGS (Laser Guide Star) of ESO (European Southern Observatory) VLT (Very Large Telescope) on Cierro Paranal Observatory in Chile.

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Apr, 2016

​Astrel Instruments announces the launch of the AST8300-B a new upgraded version of the previous "A" model: same smart camera concept, more features, more processing power.

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Apr, 2018

​Astrel Instruments announces the launch of the new AST16200-B on the market. With this new product based on KAF16200 Astrel enters in the high-end product market.

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May, 2018

​Astrel Instruments announces the launch of the new AST8300-X on the market. This is a new low-cost version of AST8300-B.

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Jun, 2018

Astrel Instruments creates the Astrel Pro division to cover professional and scientific research markets.

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Dec, 2018

Astrel Instruments completes the production of 20 CMOS cameras for the guide system of the MOONS (Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph) of the ESO (European Southern Observatory) VLT (Very Large Telescope) on the Cierro Paranal Observatory in Chile.

 

Dec, 2018

Sky&Telescope awards Astrel Instruments stand alone deepsky smartcameras as HOT PRODUCT 2019.

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Apr, 2019

Astrel Instruments announces the launch of the new AST183-X on the market. With this camera based on Sony IMX183 sensor Astrel Instruments enters in the CMOS astrocameras market.

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Jan, 2020

Astrel completed the commissioning two AAS (Aircraft Avoidance System) Smart CMOS cameras commissioned by the ESO (European Southern Observatory) for LGS (Laser Guide Star) LPC (Laser Pointing Camera) project at VLT (Very Large Telescope) on the Cierro Paranal, Chile.

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Mar, 2021

An updated version of LPC-TLS has been also purchased and installed by Gemini North Observatory in Hawaii.

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Feb, 2022

Astrel Instruments launches the new AST492 on the market. This camera is based on Sony IMX492 sensor and is targeded both to astrophotographers and to the development of customized smartcameras for the professional and scientific research market.

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Mar, 2022

Astrel delivered a customized version of LPC-TLS to IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias) to be installed at the Osservatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos at La Palma, SPAIN.

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Jun, 2022

Astrel delivered the first prototype of LPC-SA a custom stand alone smart camera based on AST492 to ESA for the project ALASCA (Advanced Laser guide star Adaptive optics for Satellite Communication Assessments).

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Feb, 2024

Astrel completed the first prototypes of MOSSCA (MOdular Scientific Smart CAmera) a fully configurable CMOS smart camera conceived by INAF Roma.

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Mar, 2024

Astrel succesfully completed the acceptance test of first two of the eight 3GEN AAS committed by ESO to equip VLT UT-1, -2, 3 and 4 telescopes with the Aircraft Avoidance System.