Micro instrumentation for space

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Small satellites have become proven entry-level platforms for the development of successful academic, commercial and governmental space programs. The objective of this research program is to expand the capabilities of small space and near-space platforms through the development of miniaturized instrumentation that leverages the advantages of remote sensing from space. Our program will build on the success of our existing space hardware development programs. ***The NIR region offers a window to remotely sense climatology, geology and geography on a global scale. The laboratory designed and now operates a miniaturized instrument that collects Earth spectra at 3 Hz and with a footprint equating to approximately 1.5 km from a Low Earth Orbit of 750 km. The spectra contain radiometric measurements of Earth reflection in this important energy-exchange region that may be analyzed to detect and quantify aerosols, clouds, coastlines, soil moisture content and atmospheric composition. This research will extend our Shortwave Infra Red (SWIR) sensor work to the development of instrumentation to measure the Earth's radiation budget as an indicator for climate change. We will enhance spectral throughput by developing instrumentation targeted at specific species and by extending the sensitivity range of the spectrometer. In tandem, the laboratory will also develop a hardware program to miniaturize new electromagnetic sensing instrumentation to further objectives including power conservation and power grid integrity. Our research will focus on the development of micro-instrumentation that, placed in an orbit about the Lagrangian point between the Earth and Sun, can provide direct detection of electromagnetic disturbances giving minutes of warning time to isolate distribution systems. We will develop and characterize the performance of a space sensor suitable for the reliable identification of solar events that cause power disruption and that may also be applied to localize faulty transmission components though UAV inspection. We will also investigate the application of SWIR technology to the detection of faulty power-line components. ***The development of miniaturized space sensors can enhance significantly our ability to monitor weather and climate. Miniaturized instrumentation may be deployed in space more numerously than larger instrumentation increasing temporal and spatial coverage. Space and near-space monitoring of power grids and space weather provides a means both to improve the stability of supply and to reap significant economic efficiencies in power distribution. The research will employ HQP including three masters and three doctoral candidates who will each lead a major research objective.**