SBIR-STTR Award

Aerophysics has developed the Local Space Imaging System (LSIS) to provide proximity detection for spacecraft. The LSIS sensor is a small, bolt-on unit that meets many of the requirements for this solicitation: the LSIS is small, low-power, semi-autonomous, and two LSIS units could cover the entire sky. However, like all passive EO detectors, LSIS has limitations when trying to detect unresolved objects close to or in front of the solar disk. Work proposed here will further improve LSIS performance by reducing its solar exclusion angle. Three design options will be evaluated to trade cost and complexity against performance improvement.

Benefit:
An all-sky version of LSIS could protect commercial spacecraft from collisions with orbital debris.

Keywords:
Space Situational Awareness

The LSIS system is a gimbaled MWIR or SWIR sensor designed to operate as an all-sky SSA sensor. The sensor is designed around the AIM-9X imager produced by Raytheon Missile Systems. Phase I research focused on methods of improving the already narrow solar exclusion angle of the LSIS system. In Phase II we propose to further investigate uncertainties in the results of the Phase I experiments. Furthermore, we propose to significantly mature the LSIS system in three ways. First, bolstered by the experience of SAIC, we will investigate image processing algorithms for use in the LSIS systems. Second, we will redeploying the control software to a non-radiation-hardened version of the intended flight hardware. Finally, we will integrate with a gigabit ethernet version of the LSIS Imager interface provided by Raytheon. With these improvements in place, we will further demonstrate the basic operation of LSIS.

Benefit:
This Phase II work will significantly mature the LSIS hardware and software. Upon completion of the proposed Phase II work the likely first product would be a flight-demonstration version of the LSIS sensor to prove feasibility and capability in a limited-scope space mission. A flight-ready hardware system could be assembled in 18-24 months that would be capable of demonstrating the instrument’s core performance. The flight demo could be flown as a self-contained hosted payload or added as a payload to a dedicated technology demonstration mission.

Keywords:
Space Situational Awareness, Ssa, Eo Sensor, Mwir, Rso, Satellite Payload