초록 ▼

A multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor ("MIDAS") science payload system mounted on a spacecraft, including a spacecraft interface ring affixing the MIDAS science payload system to the spacecraft, and a multiple telescope array ("MTA") further including a mechanical subsystem further inclu

A multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor ("MIDAS") science payload system mounted on a spacecraft, including a spacecraft interface ring affixing the MIDAS science payload system to the spacecraft, and a multiple telescope array ("MTA") further including a mechanical subsystem further including an optical bench, an optical subsystem mounted upon the mechanical subsystem collecting light and merging the light into a passive, actively-sensed or hyperspectral image, and a laser subsystem providing laser illumination for collecting active remote sensing data. The MIDAS science payload system also includes a hexapod in physical communication with and between the spacecraft interface ring and the mechanical subsystem. The MIDAS science payload system further includes a plurality of launch locks affixed to the spacecraft interface ring supporting the MTA in a stowed configuration, and a plurality of science instruments ("SIs") mounted on the mechanical subsystem obverse to the optical subsystem, individually and concurrently sensing the passive, actively sensed or hyperspectral image.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system mounted on a spacecraft, comprising: a spacecraft interface ring, said spacecraft interface ring affixing the multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system to the spacecraft; a m

What is claimed is: 1. A multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system mounted on a spacecraft, comprising: a spacecraft interface ring, said spacecraft interface ring affixing the multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system to the spacecraft; a multiple telescope array, said multiple telescope array further comprising: a mechanical subsystem further comprising an optical bench, an optical subsystem mounted upon said mechanical subsystem, said optical subsystem collecting light and merging the light into a passive, actively sensed or hyperspectral image, including wavefront sensing and control, and a laser subsystem, said laser subsystem providing laser illumination for active remote sensing data; a pointing and control subsystem, said pointing and control subsystem providing six degree-of-freedom motion to said mechanical subsystem in an operational configuration, and further comprising a hexapod in physical communication with and between said spacecraft interface ring and said mechanical subsystem; a plurality of launch locks affixed to said spacecraft interface ring, said plurality of launch locks supporting said multiple telescope array in a stowed configuration; and a plurality of science instruments mounted on said optical bench obverse to said optical subsystem, each of said plurality of science instruments individually and concurrently sensing distinct portions of the passive, actively sensed or hyperspectral image. 2. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said optical bench is circular. 3. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said optical bench provides a stable reference for said optical subsystem and said plurality of science instruments. 4. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said optical bench is comprised of a thermally stable material. 5. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said optical bench is comprised of a graphite cyanate composite. 6. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein the multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload is packaged within a payload volume of 1.6 meters in diameter by 1.5 meters long. 7. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said laser subsystem enables light detection and ranging ("LIDAR"), vibrometry, illumination, ablative spectroscopy, breakdown spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and/or time-resolved spectroscopy. 8. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, further comprising a thermal control subsystem. 9. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical power subsystem. 10. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of launch locks comprise three launch locks. 11. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of launch locks are comprised of a metal or composite material. 12. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of launch locks are bolted to said spacecraft interface ring. 13. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of launch locks are paired squib pin pullers. 14. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of launch locks are nut separators. 15. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of launch locks are shockless paraffin actuators. 16. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of science instruments comprise six science instruments. 17. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of science instruments further comprises at least one shield for protecting said plurality of science instruments from heat and/or radiation. 18. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, further comprising a command and data handling subsystem. 19. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein the multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system provides nanometer-resolution hyperspectral passive imaging using the multiple telescope array acting as a Fourier Transform Imaging Spectrometer. 20. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of science instruments require no moving parts. 21. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said pointing and control subsystem provides ±15° tip/tilt motion to the mechanical subsystem, relative to the spacecraft. 22. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said optical subsystem further comprises: a plurality of collector telescopes each with a primary and a secondary mirror, said plurality of collector telescopes arranged in a circular sparse array; a central combiner; and a plurality of relay optics sections, said plurality of relay optics sections transporting light from said plurality of collector telescopes to said central combiner without introducing image rotation or affecting light polarization. 23. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of collector telescopes comprise nine collector telescopes. 24. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of collector telescopes comprise 35-centimeter aperture collector telescopes. 25. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of collector telescopes are afocal. 26. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein said plurality of collector telescopes arranged in the circular sparse array have a 50% array fill factor. 27. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein said plurality of collector telescopes comprise a synthetic aperture of 1.5 meters. 28. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein each of said plurality of collector telescopes have a four-mirror Cassegrain-Gregorian collector design. 29. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein each of said plurality of collector telescopes produce a real exit pupil located at a considerable distance behind the primary mirror, fully corrected for sine magnification error. 30. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein said central combiner is a three-mirror anastigmat, further comprising an internal steering mirror at an exit pupil. 31. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein said plurality of relay optics sections each provide tip/tilt control, piston control, and/or exit pupil mapping. 32. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 22, wherein said central combiner further comprises a selector mirror. 33. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 32, wherein said selector mirror directs the image to at least one of the plurality of science instruments. 34. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 32, wherein said plurality of relay optics sections further comprise at least one fixed mirror and at least one active plano mirror. 35. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 32, wherein said plurality of relay optics sections are disposed in nominally collimated light. 36. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 1, wherein said hexapod further comprises six actuated struts. 37. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 36, wherein each actuated strut functions as a linear actuator by means of a rotary motor driving a ball nut device, a structural tube, and a flexured fitting on each end of said strut. 38. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 37, wherein each actuated strut further comprises a low outgassing liquid. 39. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 37, wherein each actuated strut further comprises a solid lubricant. 40. The multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor science payload system according to claim 37, wherein said structural tube is comprised of a graphite cyanate composite.