Space Portable SpectroReflectometer (SPSR) 

AZ  Technology, Inc. 

Huntsville, AL 

Handheld instrument to measure key thermal control properties of material surfaces during extra-vehicular activities.

• AZ Technology's Spectroreflectometer can measure sample sizes over 0.5 inches in diameter. Results comparable to non-portable lab units.
• Device can measure and print out the reflectance spectrum from 250-2,500 nm, rather than just the integrated solar absorption measurement.
• Solar absorption can be measured in 2 minutes, rather than 10-20 nimutes.
• Degradation of thermal controls materials can now be measured in orbit.

• Laboratory version of Spectroreflectometer becoming the standard instrument for measurement of solar absorption
• Sales of over $1M to private industry and government for devices based on this technology.

• SPSR was flown on the STS-86 mission and transferred to MIR space station on September 29, 1997, for measurements of energy absorption by the thermal control coatings or radiator surfaces of MIR.
• Long-term degradation studies and health monitoring for ISSA.
• Firm awarded $940K Phase III contract by MSFC to deliver a flight-qualified SPSR compatible with EVA operations on the MIR space station, Hubble Telescope, and ISS.
 

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Curator: SBIR Support        5/24/04