Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

971197

Proposal Number:

14.02-9991

Project Title:

Ultralightweight Silicon Carbide

Space-Based Hyperspectral Sensor for

Coastal Research

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

Remote sensing of coastal regions is a complex

problem which requires very high spatial and

spectral resolution. Space based sensor concepts

are being pushed to provide this high resolution

information within compact, lightweight, and

integrated payloads. SSG proposes the

development of an ultralightweight, innovative,

moderate resolution hyperspectral sensor concept.

The sensor proposed integrates several innovative

technologies: ultralightweight Silicon Carbide (SiC)

optics, a, low-distortion spectrometer relay optical

design, and a newly developed dual-blazed grating

fabrication process. The combination of these

technologies will provide a wide field-of-regard,

high-resolution, ultralightweight sensor concept

which is suitable for coastal monitoring/evaluation.

SSG has extensive experience with SiC optical

systems, the superior bulk materials of SiC,

superior thermal stability (8x better than aluminum)

and excellent specific stiffness (80% of beryllium),

make it ideally suited for ultralightweight, thermally

stable, space-based remote sensing applications.

The innovative, low-distortion reimaging optics and

dual-blazed grating proposed have both been

developed by NASA. SSG will utilize these

important technical advances to produce an

ultracompact, modular reimager. A number of these

1:1 reimager sections will be combined with a wide

field-of-regard, all-reflective optical front end in

order to obtain an innovative high sensitivity,

hyperspectral sensor concept. During Phase I the

overall concept design will be reviewed and a set of

opto-mechanical designs will be generated. The

critical component in the hyperspectral sensor

concept proposed, the low-distortion 1:1

spectrometer relay, will be produced and tested

with support from NASA personnel. A successful

Phase I effort will lead to the development and

testing of a fully functional prototype during Phase

II.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

A number of NASA, DoD, and commercial

end-users are very interested in space-based

hyperspectral imaging for a number of applications.

Coastal monitoring applications include

environmental effluent/ contamination and

commercial fisheries. From a military perspective

mine countermeasures, submarine detection, and

monitoring of the environmental impact of training

and operations are all areas of interest.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

Joseph Robichaud

SSG, Inc.

65 Jonspin Road

Wilmington , MA 01887

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

Alan H. McEacharn

SSG, Inc.

65 Jonspin Road

Wilmington , MA 01887