RAPID: Limb-imaging Ionospheric and Thermospheric EUV Spectrograph (LITES)

这是一个为期一年的努力，以重新研制和提供科学级光学仪器，临边成像电离层和热层EUV Spactrograph（LITES），它将作为美国空军（USAF）计划的一部分，作为商业卫星上的托管有效载荷飞行。LITES是一种紧凑、高灵敏度的极紫外和远紫外光谱成像仪，旨在测量电离层-热层系统中的关键离子和中性物质。它将通过修改现有的，飞行证明的高灵敏度成像摄谱仪由提议者开发。具体而言，将对该仪器进行升级，用更大、更有能力的探测器取代现有的探测器，从而扩大仪器的光谱范围并降低噪音。 为了满足有效载荷的当前时间表，升级后的仪器必须在2012年年中之前准备就绪，这使得其建造和测试时间不到12个月。该项目将为研究生和本科生提供宝贵的机会，与美国空军和航空航天工业合作，体验真实的生活空间项目。 仪器的升级将扩大美国空军项目的范围，从纯粹的技术演示到科学调查，NSF参与该项目将有助于确保科学数据免费提供给科学界。 最后，该项目将推动可能有利于实现未来小型卫星飞行任务的小型化仪器的技术开发和演示。

This is a one-year effort to refurbish and deliver a scientific grade optical instrument, Limb-imaging Ionospheric and Thermospheric EUV Spactrograph (LITES), which will be flown as a hosted payload onboard a commercial satellite as part of a US Air Force (USAF) program. LITES is a compact, high-sensitivity extreme and far ultraviolet spectral imager designed to measure key ion and neutral species in the ionosphere-thermosphere system. It will be constructed by modifying an existing, flight-proven high-sensitivity imaging spectrograph developed by the proposer. Specifically, the instrument will be upgraded by replacing the existing detector with a larger, more capable detector, providing an extended spectral range for the instrument as well as lower noise. To meet the current schedule for the payload, the upgraded instrument must be ready by mid 2012, which leaves less than 12 months for its construction and testing. The project will provide valuable opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to experience a real life space project in collaboration with the USAF and aerospace industry. The upgrade to the instrument will expand the scope of this USAF project from purely technology demonstration to a science investigation and the NSF participation in the project will help ensure that the science data is made freely available to the scientific community. Finally, the project will advance the technological development and demonstration of miniaturized instruments that may benefit the realization of future small satellite missions.