Infrared space telescope
Infrared space telescope
Keywords: DERA, Infrared
The DERA Space Department, has launched a telescope into orbit for a 12-month research mission. The Medium Wave lnfra Red (MWIR) telescope is the one of the principal experiments on the Space Technology Research Vehicle 2 (STRV-2)experiment module, the primary payload on the American Tri-Service Experiment 5 satellite (TSX-5). MWIR will use space based infrared technology to detect aircraft in flight.
Aircraft are detected using a "frame differencing" technique which compares two images taken over the same area at slightly different times. Small changes in the image can be extracted, leading to the detection of the aircraft by virtue of its motion during the interval between the two images. This technique has added potential of giving an indication of the aircraft's direction and speed.
The MWIR was designed, built and tested at DERA's Space Department in Farnborough, UK. Its total mass is 23kg and it uses less power than a 60W light bulb. Cooling of the focal plane is achieved by a Stirling Cycle Cryocooler which pumps heat away from the detector and radiates it to space. A further significant feature is said to be that the sensor housing is manufactured from a carbon fibre composite material. This not only contributes to its low mass, but with the carbon fibres carefully arranged, ensures that the telescope remains in focus despite the temperature changes experienced in space.
During its 12-month mission a number of different UK military aircraft of various sizes will be flown under the satellite path to assess the telescope's performance. The MWIR operations centre is based at DERA Farnborough, where data will be received, processed, and interrogated for detailed analysis. In addition, DERA is liaising with the Civil Aviation Authority which will be providing air traffic control data to validate locations of air traffic in UK airspace.
STRV-2 also carries a number of US experiments – laser communications,vibration isolation, radiation monitoring and electronics testing. At approximately 90 days into the mission, the vibration isolation system will be activated, which is expected to improve the MWIR image quality.
Further imaging opportunities will collaborate with other experiments on STRV-2; for example, to downlink the image data via a laser communications experiment.
The MWIR will, it is believed, improve UK understanding of space-based imaging technologies, and the concept has evolved from a long history of collaboration between the UK MoD and US DoD.
Details available from DERA. Tel: +44 (0)1252 394627.
