CO2 Image: The design of an imaging spectrometer for CO2 point source quantification

CO2Image is a satellite demonstration mission, now in Phase B, to be launched in 2026 by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The satellite will carry a next generation imaging spectrometer for measuring atmospheric column concentrations of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The instrument concept reconciles compact design with fine ground resolution (50-100 m) with decent spectral resolution (1.0-1.3 nm) in the shortwave infrared spectral range (2000 nm). Thus, CO2Image will enable quantification of point source CO2 emission rates of less than 1 MtCO2/a. This will complement global monitoring missions such as CO2M, which are less sensitive to point sources due to their coarser ground resolution and hyperspectral imagers, which suffer from spectroscopic interference errors that limit the quantification

Measurement and correction of two-sided freeform optical elements with combined tactile-optical metrology equipment

Freeform optical elements are state of the art for several years to fabricate very high performance optical systems with the necessity of, e.g., strong folding in mirror system or correction of typical asymmetric aberrations in mirror systems as well as lens systems. For freeform mirror systems, in particular for metal mirrors, the metrology is well understood and iterative process chains are well established. For transmission elements with a freeform surface on both sides, manufacturing, metrology, and correction for both sides in a parallel manner is quite difficult. The article presents a method to measure such an optical element and correct it with a well-defined correction step to have both sides in a well-defined position to each other

Measurement and correction of two-sided freeform optical elements with combined tactile-optical metrology equipment

Freeform optical elements are state of the art for several years to fabricate very high performance optical systems with the necessity of, e.g., strong folding in mirror system or correction of typical asymmetric aberrations in mirror systems as well as lens systems. For freeform mirror systems, in particular for metal mirrors, the metrology is well understood and iterative process chains are well established. For transmission elements with a freeform surface on both sides, manufacturing, metrology, and correction for both sides in a parallel manner is quite difficult. The article presents a method to measure such an optical element and correct it with a well-defined correction step to have both sides in a well-defined position to each other

Topology optimization and additive manufacturing of an optical housing for space applications

The design of an optical housing for laser telecommunication in space is improved by topology optimization. Different mechanical and thermal boundary conditions are considered while minimizing the overall weight of the housing. As a proof-of-concept study, a complex and lightweight housing is made by additive manufacturing with the aluminium silicon alloy AlSi40. Post processing steps include a thermal treatment, cleaning and a mechanical machining process. Final characterization tests include the evaluation of material characteristics by tensile tests, a computed tomography scan and a CMM measurement. The final shock and vibrational test is used to proof the performance of the housing for future space applications

Topology optimization and additive manufacturing of an optical housing for space applications

The design of an optical housing for laser telecommunication in space is improved by topology optimization. Different mechanical and thermal boundary conditions are considered while minimizing the overall weight of the housing. As a proof-of-concept study, a complex and lightweight housing is made by additive manufacturing with the aluminium silicon alloy AlSi40. Post processing steps include a thermal treatment, cleaning and a mechanical machining process. Final characterization tests include the evaluation of material characteristics by tensile tests, a computed tomography scan and a CMM measurement. The final shock and vibrational test is used to proof the performance of the housing for future space applications