A LOW-COST MINIATURIZED SCIENTIFIC IMAGER DESIGN WITH CHIP-ON-BOARD TECHNOLOGY FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS

Abstract : The Miniaturized Scientific Imager uses a reflective telescope, a single filter, and a charge coupled device detector. This visible imager has a 1.5 x 20 field of view, a focal length of 720 mm, and a spatial resolution of 4 m at a range of 500 km. Heaters and radiators control the detector temperature. In this design, the user can control exposure mode, duration, and frame buffer selections. Thirty-two internal frame buffers will store the images captured by the imager. Our goal is to demonstrate and qualify a miniaturized, modularized, smart imager for future space missions. In this article, we present the detailed design of the imager, with emphasis on APL's chip on board technology and its significant impact on system weight and volume reduction. The development resulted in an imager design that weighs only 0.5 kg with a low power consumption of 1 W. A similar imager in the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous spacecraft weighs 7.7 kg and consumes 6.9 W.