Title:
R3: Thermal Imaging and Rapid Feature Detection for Small Satellites
R3: Thermal Imaging and Rapid Feature Detection for Small Satellites
Author(s)
Walker, Luke
Spencer, David A.
Spencer, David A.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Collections
Supplementary to
Permanent Link
Abstract
The Georgia Tech Center for Space Systems is developing the Rapid Reconnaissance and Response (R3) mission to perform thermal imaging and feature detection for responsive space applications. Historically, thermal imaging missions have been limited to large spacecraft due to the size, complexity, and power utilization of cryogenically cooled infrared imagers; only recently have smaller alternatives emerged for orbital thermal imaging applications. The R3 satellite utilizes a modified commercial off-the-shelf microbolometer, previously used in ground-based military applications, to perform thermal imaging of selected features. Because microbolometers are small, lightweight, low-power systems, they can be rapidly integrated with a flight system in response to an emerging need. Microbolometers have previously flown in space, but their susceptibility to the radiation environment of space is not well understood. The R3 spacecraft will fly a radiation dosimeter to quantify the radiation environment of the spacecraft in low Earth orbit, and the health and performance of the microbolometer will be compared to the radiation total dose and single event effects. This will allow future instrument designers to utilize an appropriate amount of radiation shielding on the microbolometer to ensure adequate performance and minimize mass. The R3 mission is also developing autonomous feature identification and geolocation algorithms for the microbolometer images. These algorithms will be utilized to quickly identify thermal features of interest, calculate their coordinates, and downlink these coordinates to the ground station. This paper describes the development of the R3 mission and its operationally responsive space applications.
Sponsor
Date Issued
2010-03
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Paper
Rights Statement
Unless otherwise noted, all materials are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and all rights are reserved