Compact Hyper-Spectral Imagers
There is a growing need for imaging data in multiple wavelength bands forming
an image cube of multispectral data. This need is met now by multispectral imagers
using filter wheels (NEAR MSI, Galileo SSI, etc) or spectrometers and one dimensional
imaging spectrometers (NEAR NIS, SSUSI). These methods are bulky and need mechanisms,
either filter wheels or scan mirrors, to form the hypercube. An electronically
variable spectral filter will extend and simplify the filter wheel multispectral
imager, replacing the bulky mechanism of the filter wheel. It will extend the
number of discrete frequency bands available well beyond the eight or so which
can be fitted on a mechanical filter wheel. For spectrometers a stripe filter
directly applied to a two dimensional array detector will replace the optics
of an imaging spectrograph with a chip. In this case pushbroom operation or
a scan mirror is still necessary but many wavelengths are accessed simultaneously.
Advanced Mechanical Methods
for Instruments
With the advancements in miniaturized instruments there is a need for advanced
miniaturized mechanisms. Mechanism manufactures have not significantly reduced
the scale of off-the-shelf releases and drive mechanisms for this small niche
of the aerospace market. Extremely small mechanisms will be required for operating
acoustic covers, filters, shutters, and other dynamic mechanical devices. Several
miniature release mechanisms will be developed and tested in conjunction with
commercial partnerships. A miniaturized instrument tool kit will provide a number
of actuators that can be used in the above applications.
Advanced Thermal Methods for Instruments:
Passive Thermal Refrigerator
The design of the passive refrigerator would incorporate
new thermal switch technology together with a phase-change cold reservoir.
Thermal links need to be sized to provide enough cooling in the cold environments
and enough isolation in the hot environments. Temperature stability and heat
load trade-offs would be performed. Integration into a typical instrument
would be discussed.
Self-Actuating Thermal Radiator
Develop a “thermal" hinge; simplify the deployment mechanism.
Resonant Laser Methods for
Instruments
We plan to develop in-situ resonant laser analysis methods to enable future
landed missions to solar system bodies with an unprecedented level of scientific
return. Capitalizing on newly-available solid-state tunable pulsed laser technology,
we will examine the potential for true resonance ionization spectroscopy (RIS)
with a robotic probe. RIS-based chemical analyses of planetary surfaces would
be capable of radiometric age dating, trace detection of organic molecules,
and quantitation of isotopic fractionations. These capabilities are all beyond
what can be done with current miniature instrumentation, yet they represent
the most highly-desired in-situ measurements for planetary science.
Advanced Sample Handling and
Vacuum Systems for Landed Instruments
Develop crosscutting technology for sample acquisition and vacuum systems on
landed planetary missions. Starting from a base of APL expertise in the remote
acquisition of environ-mental samples into a miniature vacuum system, we will
develop robust methods of entrapping, positioning, and sealing chip and soil
samples for in-situ planetary probes.
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