Microbolometer in space: IASI and PICASSO-CENA

Microbolometers are infrared detectors of an emerging technology mainly developed in US and few other countries for few years. The main targets of these developments are low performing military and civilian applications like survey cameras.Applications in space are now arising thanks to the design simplification and the associated cost reduction allowed by this new technology.The paper describes two applications in development in SODERN:

• 1. an infrared camera for the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI): this camera integrated in IASI is used to take pictures of the main instrument field of view and to correlate them with other instrument measurements;
• 2. an infrared radiometer for PICASSO-CENA based on the same camera design.

In both cases, the use of microbolometer detectors leads to very competitive designs in terms of volume, mass, power consumption and cost.     

The PRISMA payload optomechanical design, a high performance instrument for a new hyperspectral mission

PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa) hyperspectral instrument is an advanced hyperspectral sensor including a panchromatic camera at medium resolution. The instrument is the focus of the new Earth observation mission that a consortium of Italian companies has started developing under contract of Italian Space Agency. Key features of the instrument are the very high requirement for signal-to-noise and the high quality of data that have to be provided. To meet these demanding figures the optical system has been based on a high transmittance optical system, including a single mirror telescope and two prism spectrometers based on an innovative concept to minimize number of optical elements, while high performance detectors have been chosen for the photon detection. To provide the required data quality for the entire mission lifetime an accurate calibration unit (radiometric and spectral) will be included in the instrument optomechanical assembly. The thermo-mechanical design of the instrument is based on innovative concepts, considering that the use of prism spectrometers implies a tight control of temperature variations to guarantee the stability of all instrument features once in orbit. The presented paper describes the concepts and design principle of the optomechanical assembly of the instrument, at the present status of development.     

MArs Neutron Energy Spectrometer (MANES): an instrument for the Mars 2003 Lander

We describe the instrument design and detector development for MANES which has been selected to fly on the Mars 2003 Lander. Section 1 explains the need for the spectrometer in determining the increased risk of carcinogenesis for astronauts. Section 2 presents the instrument design including an outline drawing, a cross-sectional view and a detailed block diagram. Sections 3 and 4 describe the low and high energy detector components of the spectrometer and present responses to monoenergetic neutron beams. Sections 5 and 6 explain the design approaches to charged particle discrimination and instrument transfer function modeling.     

“资源三号”卫星多光谱相机技术

＂资源三号＂多光谱相机按照测绘相机的要求开展研制,采用了离轴TMA光学系统、柔性卸载技术、高集成与低噪声电路技术等多项先进技术保证相机成像品质,在轨测试显示,多光谱相机功能、性能满足研制要求,关键项目性能优于指标要求,内方位元素保持高精度稳定,经过几何检校后,定位精度达到国际先进水平。文章论述了多光谱相机的设计、制造、调校、试验等相关技术,可以为后续同类相机的研制提供参考。     

高精度紫外探测器定标测试方法

文章研究分析了紫外电学定标探测器的主要光电不等效因素,并建立了基于紫外电学定标探测器的紫外辐射定标系统。在此基础上,利用紫外探测器定标测试平台,开展了紫外探测器的测试方法研究,响应率定标的总不确定度为3%～5%,相对光谱测试的总不确定度为3%。     

Analysis of the pre-flight and post-flight calibration procedures performed on the Liulin space radiation dosimeter

Liulin, a dosimetry-radiometry system, was developed to satisfy the requirements for active flux and dose rate measurements for the flight of the second Bulgarian cosmonaut in 1988. The system consists of a compact battery-operated silicon solid state detector unit and a read/write microcomputer and telemetry unit. We describe the pre-flight calibrations with charged particles, using radioactive sources and accelerated 170 MeV/nucleon proton and alpha particles at the Dubna, Russia cyclotron. We discuss comparisons with data obtained on Mir with the French-built tissue equivalent LET spectrometer NAUSICAA. Lastly, we describe post-flight calibrations performed with 1 GeV/nucleon 56Fe ions at the Brookhaven National Laboratory AGS accelerator, where the instrument was mounted in tandem with several thin position-sensitive silicon detectors behind a stopping target. The silicon detectors provided an energy spectrum for the surviving charged nuclear fragments for which the flux and absorbed dose were recorded by Liulin.     

Observation of Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes in the RELEC space experiment on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vernov</Emphasis> satellite

The RELEС scientific payload of the Vernov satellite launched on July 8, 2014 includes the DRGE spectrometer of gamma-rays and electrons. This instrument comprises a set of scintillator phoswich-detectors, including four identical X-ray and gamma-ray detector with an energy range of 10 kev to 3 MeV with a total area of ~500 cm² directed to the atmosphere, as well as an electron spectrometer containing three mutually orthogonal detector units with a geometric factor of ~2 cm² sr. The aim of a space experiment with the DRGE instrument is the study of fast phenomena, in particular Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGF) and magnetospheric electron precipitation. In this regard, the instrument provides the transmission of both monitoring data with a time resolution of 1 s, and data in the event-by-event mode, with a recording of the time of detection of each gamma quantum or electron to an accuracy of ~15 μs. This makes it possible to not only conduct a detailed analysis of the variability in the gamma-ray range, but also compare the time profiles with the results of measurements with other RELEC instruments (the detector of optical and ultraviolet flares, radio-frequency and low-frequency analyzers of electromagnetic field parameters), as well as with the data of ground-based facility for thunderstorm activity. This paper presents the first catalog of Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes. The criterion for selecting flashes required in order to detect no less than 5 hard quanta in 1 ms by at least two independent detectors. The TGFs included in the catalog have a typical duration of ~400 μs, during which 10–40 gamma-ray quanta were detected. The time profiles, spectral parameters, and geographic position, as well as a result of a comparison with the output data of other Vernov instruments, are presented for each of candidates. The candidate for Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes detected in the near-polar region over Antarctica is discussed.     

Bubble detector characterization for space radiation

In light of the importance of the neutron contribution to the dose equivalent received by space workers in the near-Earth radiation environment, there is an increasing need for a personal dosimeter that is passive in nature and able to respond to this neutron field in real time. Recent Canadian technology has led to the development of a bubble detector, which is sensitive to neutrons, but insensitive to low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. By changing the composition of the bubble detector fluid (or “superheat”), the detectors can be fabricated to respond to different types of radiation. This paper describes a preliminary ground-based research effort to better characterize the bubble detectors of different compositions at various charged-particle accelerator facilities, which are capable of simulating the space radiation field.     

PRISMA—A formation flying project in implementation phase

The PRISMA project for autonomous formation flying and rendezvous has passed its critical design review in February–March 2007. The project comprises two satellites which are an in-orbit testbed for Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) algorithms and sensors for advanced formation flying and rendezvous. Several experiments involving GNC algorithms, sensors and thrusters will be performed during a 10 month mission with launch planned for the second half of 2009.The project is run by the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) in close cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the French Space Agency (CNES) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Additionally, the project also will demonstrate flight worthiness of two novel motor technologies: one that uses environmentally clean and non-hazardous propellant, and one that consists of a microthruster system based on MEMS technology.The project will demonstrate autonomous formation flying and rendezvous based on several sensors—GPS, RF-based and vision based—with different objectives and in different combinations. The GPS-based onboard navigation system, contributed by DLR, offers relative orbit information in real-time in decimetre range. The RF-based navigation instrument intended for DARWIN, under CNES development, will be tested for the first time on PRISMA, both for instrument performance, but also in closed loop as main sensor for formation flying. Several rendezvous and proximity manoeuvre experiments will be demonstrated using only vision based sensor information coming from the modified star camera provided by DTU. Semi-autonomous operations ranging from 200 km to 1 m separation between the satellites will be demonstrated.With the project now in the verification phase particular attention is given to the specific formation flying and rendezvous functionality on instrument, GNC-software and system level.     

BBM/EM design of the thermal hyperspectral imager: An instrument for remote sensing of earth's surface,atmosphere and ocean,from a microsatellite platform

The Thermal Hyperspectral Imager (THI) is a low cost, low mass, power efficient instrument designed to acquire hyperspectral remote sensing data in the long-wave infrared. The instrument has been designed to satisfy mass, volume, and power constraints necessary to allow for its accommodation in a 95 kg micro-satellite bus, designed by staff and students at the University of Hawai'i. THI acquires approximately 30 separate spectral bands in the 8–14 μm wavelength region, at 16 wavenumber resolution. Rather than using filtering or dispersion to generate the spectral information, THI uses an interferometric technique. Light from the scene is focused onto an uncooled microbolometer detector array through a stationary interferometer, causing the light incident at each detector at any instant in time to be phase shifted by an optical path difference which varies linearly across the array in the along-track dimension. As platform motion translates the detector array in the along-track direction at a rate of approximately one pixel per frame (the camera acquires data at 30 Hz) the radiance from each scene element can be sampled at each OPD, thus generating an interferogram. Spectral radiance as a function of wavelength is subsequently obtained for each scene element using standard Fourier transform techniques. Housed in a pressure vessel to shield COTS parts from the space environment, the total instrument has a mass of 15 kg. Peak power consumption, largely associated with the calibration procedure, is <90 W. From a nominal altitude of 550 km the resulting data would have a spatial resolution of approximately 300 m. Although an individual imaging event yields approximately 1 Gbit of raw uncompressed data, onboard processing (to convert the interferograms into a conventional spectral hypercube) can reduce this to tens of Mega bits per scene. In this presentation we will describe (a) the rationale for the project, (b) the instrument design, and (c) how the data are processed. Finally we will present data acquired by THI on a laboratory microscope stage to demonstrate the spectro-radiometric quality of the data that the instrument can provide.     

基于变参数广义结构的距离扩展目标检测方法

针对特定杂波背景下的最优或次优检测器结构难以适应过渡杂波环境的问题，首先，给出基于变参数广义结构的距离扩展目标检测器，通过调整参数来适应杂波特性。其次，确定检测器最佳参数的经验公式，经验公式符合数值结果。最后，利用仿真试验分析检测器的检测性能。仿真结果表明，在介于高斯和复合高斯杂波之间的过渡环境中，提出的检测器比现有检测器具有更加优异的目标检测性能，对杂波非高斯程度时空渐变性具有较强的适应能力。     

深空探测用塑料闪烁体阵列式缪子探测器电子学采集系统设计

宇宙线缪子成像方法是一种对物质密度敏感的高分辨率、高精度被动源探测技术,无须原位测量,有望成为火星和小行星浅表和内部物质结构成分研究的新兴深空探测手段.鉴于气体探测器、核乳胶探测器使用条件的局限性,设计一种适用于深空探测的多通道读出的塑料闪烁体阵列式缪子探测器,可实现对多路探测器缪子信号的采集.搭建探测器测试系统,在实...     

“资源三号”高分辨率立体测绘卫星三线阵相机设计与验证

2012年1月9日,中国第一颗民用高分辨率立体测绘卫星——"资源三号"卫星在太原卫星发射中心成功发射,星上装载的三线阵相机可以获取2.1m地面像元分辨率(正视相机)和3.5m地面像元分辨率(前/后视相机)全色影像。文章介绍了三线阵相机的组成及工作原理、关键技术及实现情况、在轨运行和测试情况,给出了在轨测试的初步结果。在轨运行情况表明:相机设计合理,成像品质优异,各项指标满足1∶50 000制图应用的要求,实现了内方位元素的高精度稳定,对卫星定位精度达到国际先进水平发挥了关键作用。     

轻型空间相机遮光罩组件的研制

文章介绍了空间遥感相机遮光罩的结构特点及其功能。重点介绍了一种用于可见-红外光谱仪上的轻型遮光罩,该仪器安装于2005年美国发射的火星勘测轨道飞行器(MRO)上。     

Dosimetric measurements in manned missions

Detector packages consisting of thermoluminescence detectors (TLDs), nuclear emulsions and plastic nuclear track detectors were exposed in different sections of the MIR space station, inside the Spacelab during the IML1 mission, and inside Spacelab module and tunnel during the D2 mission. This report concentrates on total dose measurements with TLDs during these mission. The results are discussed and compared to results of former missions and to calculations. Finally, dose equivalents and mean quality factors for each mission are presented which are derived from the TLD results and results obtained from the other detector systems. Dose equivalents range between 200 μSvd⁻¹ and 700 μSvd⁻¹.     

一种基于石墨烯的脉冲星导航X射线探测器

针对脉冲星导航要求X射线探测器具有高能量分辨率和高时间分辨率的需求,研究基于石墨烯电场效应来实现X射线探测的可行性。通过蒙特卡罗方法模拟不同能量X射线和不同厚度探测器基底的相互作用过程,得到不同厚度探测器对X射线的探测效率。利用有限元方法分析X射线在探测器内电离产生载流子的输运过程,验证了X射线入射对石墨烯电学特性的影响。理论分析计算探测器的时间分辨率和能量分辨率等指标参数,结果表明：基于石墨烯电场效应的X射线探测器具有较高的能量分辨率和时间分辨率,是一种潜力巨大的X射线探测方式,可满足未来脉冲星导航的工程应用。     

空间粉尘探测器研究进展

文章在系统地总结空间粉尘（微小空间碎片和微流星体）探测技术的基础上,重点分析了压电型探测器、半导体型探测器、电离型探测器、组合式探测器等的工作原理、技术特点及其应用,同时简要评述了空间粉尘探测技术的发展趋势。     

基于Cubesat平台的874 GHz冰云探测仪设计

冰云探测对气候预测有重要价值,但因冰云粒子的影响,传统气象观测方法很难有效观测气候。太赫兹波的信号带宽较宽、波束较窄,在冰云探测上比使用微波毫米波更具优势。太赫兹冰云探测仪作为被动接收设备,具有体积小、功耗小的特点,与成本低、研发周期短、可以实现组网观测的Cubesat卫星平台有较高的契合度。以冰云探测为背景,分析太赫兹冰云探测仪系统指标,设计874GHz接收机系统的链路。在确保接收机系统性能的同时注重简化链路,减少体积功耗,以适应Cubesat平台,并结合工程经验在链路设计时采取预留增益余量、加入隔离器增强匹配等措施保证工程上的可实现性。最后对接收机链路进行ADS仿真,仿真结果能够满足冰云探测仪对接收机指标的需求。     

三线阵相机视轴夹角及线阵平行性装调测试

随着对实时立体测绘图像的需求,相机探测器由胶片向CCD发展。为了保证三线阵测绘相机的测绘精度,文章对三线阵测绘相机的视轴夹角及线阵平行性的装调检测进行了研究,针对测试指标提出了新的装调测试方案,并对方案中的关键技术进行了阐述。实际装调检测结果表明,该方案能够满足多相机间夹角测试精度优于5″,CCD线阵不平行度测试精度优于15″的要求。可以满足三线阵测绘相机空间位置的装调测试,具有实际应用价值。     

空间细胞生物学研究的新进展

空间环境对细胞的影响,对于人类进行长时间探索太空,研究揭示生命的秘密有着重要的意义。而先进的空间细胞培养技术及先进的细胞智能传感技术为我们提供了新的研究手段。文章总结了世界各国近期空间及地面的细胞生物学技术突破及成果,归纳了我国进行空间细胞生物学的研究现状,指出了未来空间细胞生物学的研究热点,给出了空间细胞仪器的设计策略。