Selection of the key earth observation sensors and platforms focusing on applications for Polar Regions in the scope of Copernicus system 2020-2030

An optimal payload selection conducted in the frame of the H2020 ONION project (id 687490) is presented based on the ability to cover the observation needs of the Copernicus system in the time period 2020–2030. Payload selection is constrained by the variables that can be measured, the power consumption, and weight of the instrument, and the required accuracy and spatial resolution (horizontal or vertical). It involved 20 measurements with observation gaps according to the user requirements that were detected in the top 10 use cases in the scope of Copernicus space infrastructure, 9 potential applied technologies, and 39 available commercial platforms. Additional Earth Observation (EO) infrastructures are proposed to reduce measurements gaps, based on a weighting system that assigned high relevance for measurements associated to Marine for Weather Forecast over Polar Regions. This study concludes with a rank and mapping of the potential technologies and the suitable commercial platforms to cover most of the requirements of the top ten use cases, analyzing the Marine for Weather Forecast, Sea Ice Monitoring, Fishing Pressure, and Agriculture and Forestry: Hydric stress as the priority use cases.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Engineering a Low-Cost Remote Sensing Capability for Deep-Space Applications

Systems engineering (SE) has been a useful tool for providing objective processes to breaking down complex technical problems to simpler tasks, while concurrently generating metrics to provide assurance that the solution is fit-for-purpose. Tailored forms of SE have also been used by cubesat mission designers to assist in reducing risk by providing iterative feedback and key artifacts to provide managers with the evidence to adjust resources and tasking for success. Cubesat-sized spacecraft are being planned, built and in some cases, flown to provide a lower-cost entry point for deep-space exploration. This is particularly important for agencies and countries with lower space exploration budgets, where specific mission objectives can be used to develop tailored payloads within tighter constraints, while also returning useful scientific results or engineering data. In this work, a tailored SE tradespace approach was used to help determine how a 6 unit (6U) cubesat could be built from commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)-based components and undertake remote sensing missions near Mars or near-Earth Asteroids. The primary purpose of these missions is to carry a hyperspectral sensor sensitive to 600-800nm wavelengths (hereafter defined as “red-edge”), that will investigate mineralogy characteristics commonly associated with oxidizing and hydrating environments in red-edge. Minerals of this type remain of high interest for indicators of present or past habitability for life, or active geologic processes. Implications of operating in a deep-space environment were considered as part of engineering constraints of the design, including potential reduction of available solar energy, changes in thermal environment and background radiation, and vastly increased communications distances. The engineering tradespace analysis identified realistic COTS options that could satisfy mission objectives for the 6U cubesat bus while also accommodating a reasonable degree of risk. The exception was the communication subsystem, in which case suitable capability was restricted to one particular option. This analysis was used to support an additional trade investigation into the type of sensors that would be most suitable for building the red-edge hyperspectral payload. This was in part constrained by ensuring not only that readily available COTS sensors were used, but that affordability, particularly during a geopolitical environment that was affecting component supply surety and access to manufacturing facilities, was optimized. It was found that a number of sensor options were available for designing a useful instrument, although the rapid development and life-of-type issues with COTS sensors restricted the ability to obtain useful metrics on their performance in the space environment. Additional engineering testing was conducted by constructing hyperspectral sensors using sensors popular in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) contexts. Engineering and performance metrics of the payload containing the sensors was conducted; and performance of these sensors in relevant analogous environments. A selection of materials exhibiting spectral phenomenology in the red-edge portion of the spectrum was used to produce metrics on the performance of the sensors. It was found that low-cost cameras were able to distinguish between most minerals, although they required a wider spectral range to do so. Additionally, while Raspberry Pi cameras have been popular with scientific applications, a low-cost camera without a Bayer filter markedly improved spectral sensitivity. Consideration for space-environment testing was also trialed in additional experiments using high-altitude balloons to reach the near-space environment. The sensor payloads experienced conditions approximating the surface of Mars, and results were compared with Landsat 7, a heritage Earth sensing satellite, using a popular vegetation index. The selected Raspberry Pi cameras were able to provide useful results from near-space that could be compared with space imagery. Further testing incorporated comparative analysis of custom-built sensors using readily available Raspberry Pi and astronomy cameras, and results from Mastcam and Mastcam/z instruments currently on the surface of Mars. Two sensor designs were trialed in field settings possessing Mars-analogue materials, and a subset of these materials were analysed using a laboratory-grade spectro-radiometer. Results showed the Raspberry Pi multispectral camera would be best suited for broad-scale indications of mineralogy that could be targeted by the pushbroom sensor. This sensor was found to possess a narrower spectral range than the Mastcam and Mastcam/z but was sensitive to a greater number of bands within this range. The pushbroom sensor returned data on spectral phenomenology associated with attributes of Minerals of the type found on Mars. The actual performance of the payload in appropriate conditions was important to provide critical information used to risk reduce future designs. Additionally, the successful outcomes of the trials reduced risk for their application in a deep space environment. The SE and practical performance testing conducted in this thesis could be developed further to design, build and fly a hyperspectral sensor, sensitive to red-edge wavelengths, on a deep-space cubesat mission. Such a mission could be flown at reasonable cost yet return useful scientific and engineering data

Gaps analysis and requirements specification for the evolution of Copernicus system for polar regions monitoring: addressing the challenges in the horizon 2020-2030

This work was developed as part of the European H2020 ONION (Operational Network of Individual Observation Nodes) project, aiming at identifying the technological opportunity areas to complement the Copernicus space infrastructure in the horizon 2020–2030 for polar region monitoring. The European Earth Observation (EO) infrastructure is assessed through of comprehensive end-user need and data gap analysis. This review was based on the top 10 use cases, identifying 20 measurements with gaps and 13 potential EO technologies to cover the identified gaps. It was found that the top priority is the observation of polar regions to support sustainable and safe commercial activities and the preservation of the environment. Additionally, an analysis of the technological limitations based on measurement requirements was performed. Finally, this analysis was used for the basis of the architecture design of a potential polar mission.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 2011

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems and Engineering Management, Operational Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Physics

3rd International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions : October 24–27, 2016, Pasadena, California

The purpose of this workshop is to provide a forum for collaboration, exchange of ideas and information, and discussions in the area of the instruments, subsystems, and other payload-related technologies needed to address planetary science questions. The agenda will compose a broad survey of the current state-of-the-art and emerging capabilities in instrumentation available for future planetary missions.Universities Space Research Association (USRA); Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI); Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)Conveners: Sabrina Feldman, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, David Beaty, Jet Propulsion Laboratory ; Science Organizing Committee: Carlton Allen, Johnson Space Center (retired) [and 12 others

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 2010

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems and Engineering Management, Operational Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Physic

innovative technologies for chemical security

AbstractAdvances across the chemical and biological (life) sciences are increasingly enabled by ideas and tools from sectors outside these disciplines, with information and communication technologies playing a key role across 21st century scientific development. In the face of rapid technological change, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention ("the Convention"), seeks technological opportunities to strengthen capabilities in the field of chemical disarmament. The OPCW Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in its review of developments in science and technology examined the potential uses of emerging technologies for the implementation of the Convention at a workshop entitled "Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security", held from 3 to 5 July 2017, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event, organized in cooperation with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine of the United States of America, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the Brazilian Chemical Society, was attended by 45 scientists and engineers from 22 countries. Their insights into the use of innovative technological tools and how they might benefit chemical disarmament and non-proliferation informed the SAB's report on developments in science and technology for the Fourth Review Conference of the Convention (to be held in November 2018), and are described herein, as are recommendations that the SAB submitted to the OPCW Director-General and the States Parties of the Convention. It is concluded that technologies exist or are under development that could be used for investigations, contingency, assistance and protection, reducing risks to inspectors, and enhancing sampling and analysis

Earth Observations for Addressing Global Challenges

"Earth Observations for Addressing Global Challenges" presents the results of cutting-edge research related to innovative techniques and approaches based on satellite remote sensing data, the acquisition of earth observations, and their applications in the contemporary practice of sustainable development. Addressing the urgent tasks of adaptation to climate change is one of the biggest global challenges for humanity. As His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said, "Climate change is the defining issue of our time—and we are at a defining moment. We face a direct existential threat." For many years, scientists from around the world have been conducting research on earth observations collecting vital data about the state of the earth environment. Evidence of the rapidly changing climate is alarming: according to the World Meteorological Organization, the past two decades included 18 of the warmest years since 1850, when records began. Thus, Group on Earth Observations (GEO) has launched initiatives across multiple societal benefit areas (agriculture, biodiversity, climate, disasters, ecosystems, energy, health, water, and weather), such as the Global Forest Observations Initiative, the GEO Carbon and GHG Initiative, the GEO Biodiversity Observation Network, and the GEO Blue Planet, among others. The results of research that addressed strategic priorities of these important initiatives are presented in the monograph

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 2012

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems and Engineering Management, Operational Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Physics

Deep Space Gateway Concept Science Workshop : February 27–March 1, 2018, Denver, Colorado

The purpose of this workshop is to discuss what science could be leveraged from a deep space gateway, as well as first-order determination of what instruments are required to acquire the scientific data.Institutional Support, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association ; Executive Committee, Ben Bussey, HEOMD Chief Scientist, NASA Headquarters, Jim Garvin, Goddard Space Flight Center Chief Scientist, Michael New, NASA Headquarters, Deputy AA for Research, SMD, Paul Niles, Executive Secretary, NASA Johnson Space Center, Jim Spann, MSFC Chief Scientist, Eileen Stansbery, Johnson Space CenterPARTIAL CONTENTS: Deep Space Gateway as a Deployment Staging Platform and Communication Hub of Lunar Heat Flow Experiment--Lunar Seismology Enabled by a Deep Space Gateway--In-Situ Measurements of Electrostatic Dust Transport on the Lunar Surface--Science Investigations Enabled by Magnetic Field Measurements on the Lunar Surface--Enhancing Return from Lunar Surface Missions via the Deep Space Gateway--Deep Space Gateway Support of Lunar Surface Ops and Tele-Operational Transfer of Surface Assets to the Next Landing Site--Development of a Lunar Surface Architecture Using the Deep Space Gateway--The Deep Space Gateway: The Next Stepping Stone to Mar