At the beginning of the 21st century, humanity is once again turning its gaze toward the Moon through NASA’s Artemis program—an ambitious series of missions aimed at establishing a sustainable human presence beyond Earth. In this high-tech race, specialized observation and analysis cameras play an important, though often unnoticed, role. Some of them are developed by Imperx—a company founded and led by Bulgarian engineer Dr. Petko Dinev.
Imperx is a U.S.-based technology company founded in 2001 that develops high-durability industrial and scientific cameras. Its founder, Dr. Petko Dinev, is a graduate of Sofia University and a specialist in the field of electronic engineering and digital image processing.
An interesting fact is that some of the electronics and sensors in the cameras used in space missions were developed right here in Bulgaria, and some components were assembled by Bulgarian engineers before being sent into space. Imperx cameras are integrated into the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, which form the backbone of the Artemis program. Their function is far from merely visual—they are a critical tool for the mission’s engineering oversight.
For the Artemis II mission (the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years), cameras from the Bobcat series—such as the SDI-B1320 and SDI-B1920—are mounted on the rocket’s core stage. They capture key moments such as stage separation during liftoff. As early as Artemis I, Imperx cameras were used to monitor the engines, analyze the flame, and assess the rocket’s behavior in real time. Space imposes extremely stringent requirements on all equipment. Imperx cameras are designed to withstand extreme temperatures (from approximately –40°C to +85°C), strong vibrations and accelerations during launch, vacuum and radiation in confined spaces, and limited energy resources.
They utilize industrial-grade components with high reliability and a long service life (over 660,000 hours), as well as specialized thermal management and electromagnetic interference protection systems. In addition, the cameras feature advanced image processing algorithms that reduce noise and enable precise data analysis—something critical to mission safety. What’s interesting about Imperx is that many of its space solutions are based on industrial technologies. For example, the SPC-S2010 camera, developed for NASA, was later adapted for other applications such as aviation and the mining industry. The company also has experience in other space missions—such as the Israeli lunar lander Beresheet and various rocket programs—demonstrating its sustained presence in the aerospace sector.
Imperx’s participation in the Artemis program is an example of how high technology knows no boundaries. Bulgaria’s contribution—through engineering talent, development, and manufacturing—is becoming part of global efforts to explore space. With the increasing complexity of future missions (including planned landings on the Moon and preparations for Mars), the role of such observation systems will become even more critical. The cameras will not simply “take pictures”—they will be the eyes through which scientists and engineers understand and manage space processes. Imperx’s participation in the Artemis program is an example of how high technology knows no boundaries. Bulgaria’s contribution—through engineering talent, development, and manufacturing—is becoming part of global space exploration efforts. With the increasing complexity of future missions (including planned landings on the Moon and preparations for Mars), the role of such observation systems will become even more critical. The cameras will not simply “take pictures”—they will be the eyes through which scientists and engineers understand and manage space processes. The story of Imperx’s cameras in the Artemis missions shows how an idea born from a Bulgarian engineer can reach the highest peaks of science—literally beyond the boundaries of Earth.
