Swinyard, B, Auriacombe, O, Bradshaw, T et al. (22 more authors) (2016) The LOw Cost Upper atmosphere Sounder: The "elegant breadboard" programme. In: Millimeter Waves and THz Technology Workshop (UCMMT), 2015 8th UK, Europe, China. 2015 8th UK, Europe, China Millimeter Waves and THz Technology Workshop (UCMMT), 14-15 Sep 2015, Cardiff, United Kingdom. IEEE ISBN 9781467374347
Abstract
The LOw Cost Upper atmosphere Sounder (LOCUS) mission has a core objective of probing the Earths meso-sphere and low thermosphere (MLT) region using THz receivers combined with an infrared (IR) filter radiometer. This will give the first comprehensive data on the energy balance and chemical processes in the MLT from direct detection, including the important atomic oxygen which until now has never been mapped by remote sensing measurements. The payload and mission design concept has very recently, and very successfully, concluded an ESA sponsored phase A0 study, led by SSTL. It is essential to build upon this success and to maintain the mission momentum towards achieving a high readiness level (TRL) and eventual flight. A key step in this process is the demonstration and proof of operation of the THz payload in a representative environment (towards TRL 6). We therefore have begun working on a hi-fidelity breadboard of the LOCUS payload suitable for both extensive laboratory and environmental testing, and with a potential for deployment on a high-altitude platform, such as NASAs Global Hawk. The latter will prove the system technical operation in a closely representative environment, and will return valuable and useful scientific data. The breadboard will consist of the system primary antenna; optical bench; one or more THz receivers; back-end electronics, and a physical realisation of the spacecraft payload bay. An extensive test programme will be undertaken to raise the payload and receiver system towards level 6, and we will seek opportunities to test the system in an observational campaign.
Metadata
Item Type: | Proceedings Paper |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/ republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted components of this work in other works. |
Keywords: | Receivers, Payloads, Space vehicles, Quantum cascade lasers, Instruments, Terrestrial atmosphere, Atmospheric measurements |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Electronic & Electrical Engineering (Leeds) > Pollard Institute (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 08 Nov 2016 16:10 |
Last Modified: | 22 Jan 2018 23:39 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1109/UCMMT.2015.7460627 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | IEEE |
Identification Number: | 10.1109/UCMMT.2015.7460627 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:101723 |