Development of a low-cost student-built multi-spectral sensor for the International Space Station
Douglas R. Olsen, Ho Jin Kim, Jaganathan Ranganathan, Soizik Laguette · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 2011
Built by students and faculty at the University of North Dakota (UND), the International Space Station (ISS) Agricultural Camera (ISSACTM) is a multi-spectral Earth-imaging sensor currently onboard the ISS. Capabilities include three spectral bands (green, red, near-infrared), medium (~20m) spatial resolution, and off-nadir pointing (+/-30 degrees) for episodic rapid-response imaging. We describe the low-cost electro-optical design approach, which utilizes a studentcentered design and operations team and relies on modified commercial components operating within a passive vibration isolation mounting, installed inside the Window Observational Research Facility, viewing the Earth through the US Laboratory Science Window. Interfaces, safety, and other factors unique to the human-rated operational environment of the ISS are outlined. Pre-launch sensor characterization results, including spatial distortion and radiometric measurements, indicate Earth remote sensing using such a sensor is a viable approach for demonstrative operational missions. An element of the ISS National Laboratory, ISSAC was launched on HTV-2 to the ISS in January 2011. Initial operations began in June 2011. Methods of sensor operations are described, using a student staff working within the ISS operational environment. Some initial early imaging results are shown.