The OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) will acquire images essential to collecting a sample from the surface of Bennu. During proximity operations, these images will document the presence of satellites and plumes, record spin state, enable an accurate model of the asteroid's shape, and identify any surface hazards. They will confirm the presence of sampleable regolith on the surface, observe the sampling event itself, and image the sample head in order to verify its readiness to be stowed. They will document Bennu's history as an example of early solar system material, as a microgravity body with a planetesimal size- scale, and as a carbonaceous object. OCAMS is fitted with three cameras. The MapCam will record color images of Bennu as a point source on approach to the asteroid in order to connect Bennu's ground-based point-source observational record to later higher-resolution surface spectral imaging. The SamCam will document the sample site before, during, and after it is disturbed by the sample mechanism. The PolyCam, using its focus mechanism, will observe the sample site at sub-centimeter resolutions, revealing surface texture and morphology. While their imaging requirements divide naturally between the three cameras, they preserve a strong degree of functional overlap. OCAMS and the other spacecraft instruments will allow the OSIRIS-REx mission to collect a sample from a microgravity body on the same visit during which it was first optically acquired from long range, a useful capability as humanity reaches out to explore near-Earth, Main-Belt and Jupiter Trojan asteroids.
We present first light spectra that were measured by the newly‐developed Far‐Infrared Spectroscopy of the Troposphere (FIRST) instrument during a high‐altitude balloon flight from Ft. Sumner, NM on 7 June 2005. FIRST is a Fourier Transform Spectrometer designed to measure accurately the far‐infrared (15 to 100 μm; 650 to 100 wavenumbers, cm−1) emission spectrum of the Earth and its atmosphere. The flight data successfully demonstrated the FIRST instrument's ability to observe the entire energetically significant infrared emission spectrum (50 to 2000 cm−1) at high spectral and spatial resolution on a single focal plane in an instrument with one broad spectral bandpass beamsplitter. Comparisons with radiative transfer calculations demonstrate that FIRST accurately observes the very fine spectral structure in the far‐infrared. Comparisons also show excellent agreement between the atmospheric window radiance measured by FIRST and by instruments on the NASA Aqua satellite that overflew the FIRST flight. FIRST opens a new window on the spectrum that can be used for studying atmospheric radiation and climate, cirrus clouds, and water vapor in the upper troposphere.
The NASA climate science mission Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO), which is to measure Earth's emitted spectral radiance from orbit for 5 years, has an absolute accuracy requirement of 0.1 K (3σ) at 220 K over most of the thermal infrared. To meet this requirement, CLARREO needs highly accurate on-board blackbodies which remain accurate over the life of the mission. Space Dynamics Laboratory is developing a prototype blackbody that demonstrates the ability to meet the needs of CLARREO. This prototype is based on a blackbody design currently in use, which is relatively simple to build, was developed for use on the ground or on-orbit, and is readily scalable for aperture size and required performance. We expect the CLARREO prototype to have emissivity of ~0.9999 from 1.5 to 50 μm, temperature uncertainties of ~25 mK (3σ), and radiance uncertainties of ~10 mK due to temperature gradients. The high emissivity and low thermal gradient uncertainties are achieved through cavity design, while the SItraceable temperature uncertainty is attained through the use of phase change materials (mercury, gallium, and water) in the blackbody. Blackbody temperature sensor calibration is maintained over time by comparing sensor readings to the known melt temperatures of these materials, which are observed by heating through their melt points. Since blackbody emissivity can potentially change over time due to changes in surface emissivity (especially for an on-orbit blackbody) an on-board means of detecting emissivity change is desired. The prototype blackbody will include an emissivity monitor based on a quantum cascade laser to demonstrate the concept.
Continuous improvements of quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology have extended the applications in environmental trace gas monitoring, mid-infrared spectroscopy in medicine and life science, law enforcement and homeland security and satellite sensor systems. We present the QCL based emissivity monitor for the CORSAIR blackbody. The emissivity of the blackbody was designed to be better than 0.9999 for the spectral range between 5 to 50µm. To actively monitor changes in blackbody emissivity we employ a QCL-based infrared illumination source. The illumination source consisted of a QCL and thermoelectric cooler (TEC) unit mounted on a copper fixture. The stability of the QCL was measured for 30, 60, and 90s operation time at 1.5A driving current. The temperature distribution along the laser mounting fixture and time dependent system heat dispersion were analyzed. The results were compared to radiative and conductive heat transfer models to define the potential laser operating time and required waiting time to return to initial temperature of the laser mount. The observed cooling behaviour is consistent with a primarily conductive heat transfer mechanism.
This paper describes a recently patented acoustic Super Short Baseline (SSBL) tracking system capable of tracking up to twenty targets simultaneously, accurately and at long ranges. The design of the hydrophone array is similar to that of conventional SSBL arrays, but uses greater inter-element separation to provide much better tracking accuracy. With this design, the bearing and elevation of targets at ranges greater than 10 km can be tracked with an accuracy better than 0.1 degree.The application of SSBL to target tracking is not new as witnessed by several SSBL products on the market. Recent applications require tracking accuracy's for ranges that exceed those of existing SSBL systems. In these applications a significant improvement in the bearing and range accuracy of the SSBL system can substantially reduce operational cost. These applications include: full ocean depth SSBL systems for ROV navigation and tracking; towbody tracking; integrated LBL and SSBL navigation; and long seismic streamer tracking.This paper discusses the design and performance of an integrated SSBLRBL system that provides 0.1 % slant range accuracy at ranges greater than those achievable using currently available SSBL tracking systems.
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