Development of new planetary remote sensing instrumentation in the infrared for small satellite and Cubesat type spacecraft

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The emergence of new types of spacecraft based on standardised modules that re-use the basic parts of the spacecraft such attitude control and communications have enabled exciting new types of low-cost (<£2.5M) planetary science missions by tightly integrating a remote sensing instrument and spacecraft. Based on the "Cubesat" standard there are now numerous examples of remote sensing spacecraft to provide rapid observations of the Earth as well as for planetary science, including targeted measurements of the Moon and Mars. However, longer wavelengths of light in the thermal infrared that are typically used in atmospheric science and for geological mapping remain to be exploited using these novel, new spacecraft. This project will take a recent mission study led by AOPP to use a cubesat for atmospheric aerosol monitoring and thermal imaging and optimise the instrument concept for planetary science applications, consider the performance trade-offs necessary from using "standard" cubesat components and then develop an instrument breadboard for further performance testing.