Project Title:

Diagnostic Contamination Measurement for Space

08.23-0204
Diagnostic Contamination Measurement for Space
SSG Inc.
150 Bear Hill Road
Waltham
MA
02154
Andrew A.
Mastandrea
(617-890-0204)
GSFC

Abstract:

This project addresses the problem of validating relevant spaceborne diagnostic hardware
by measuring and quantifying contaminants and their impacts on the performance of
a cryogenic, high-stray-light-rejection telescope. Phase I will address the contamination
problem on the ground using methods such as internal and external BRDF (bi-directional
reflectance distribution function) measurements, and TGA QCM (thermal gravimetric
quartz crystal microbalance) analysis and absorption spectroscopy measurements. All
of these techniques are applicable to a space environment, which is the goal of a
Phase II flight experiment.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The research will be used in cryogenic sensors
used for atmospheric research, infrared astronomy, and SDIO programs.