Space flight qualification on a novel five-fiber array assembly for the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) at NASA Goddard Space

A novel multi-mode 5-fiber array assembly was developed, manufactured, characterized and then qualified for the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA). LOLA is a science data gathering instrument used for lunar topographical mapping located aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission. This LRO mission is scheduled for launch sometime in late 2008. The fiber portion of the array assembly was comprised of step index 200/220µm multi-mode optical fiber with a numerical aperture of 0.22. Construction consisted of five fibers inside of a single polarization maintaining (PM) Diamond AVIM connector. The PM construction allows for a unique capability allowing the array side to be “clocked” to a desired angle of degree. The array side “fans-out ” to five individual standard Diamond AVIM connectors. In turn, each of the individual standard AVIM connectors is then connected to five separate detectors. The qualification test plan was designed to best replicate the aging process during launch and long term space flight environmental exposure. The characterization data presented here includes results from: vibration testing, thermal performance characterization, and radiation testing

Investigation of hermetically sealed commercial LiNbO3 optical modulator for use in laser/LIDAR space-flight applications

This paper is the first in a series of publications to investigate the use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components for space flight fiber laser transmitter systems and LIDAR (laser imaging detection and ranging) detection systems. In the current study, a hermetically sealed COTS LiNbO3 optical modulator is characterized for space flight applications. The modulator investigated was part of the family of “High-Extinction Ratio Modulators ” with part number MXPE-LN from Photline Technologies in Besancon, France. Device performance was monitored during exposure to a Cobalt 60 gamma-ray source. Results from the testing show little change in device operation for a total accumulated dose of 52 krad

Erratum to: Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition) (Autophagy, 12, 1, 1-222, 10.1080/15548627.2015.1100356

non present