Document Type

Presentation

Journal/Book Title/Conference

2025 Heliophysics Technology and Suborbital Symposium

Publisher

NASA

Location

John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Publication Date

9-9-2025

First Page

1

Last Page

10

Abstract

SDL developed a small satellite payload to support the NICEcube mission concept capable of measuring vertical profiles of infrared radiance at 5.3 µm from nitric oxide (NO) in the atmospheric limb (100-250 km). These radiance measurements can be directly inverted to achieve vertical profiles of infrared cooling rates which are crucial to understanding the density response to the thermosphere in times of elevated geomagnetic activity. The payload was designed to fit on a 12U cube sat, function at low power and small mechanical envelope. Completed work includes building the telescope, integrating a representative detector, alignment, test planning, and initial testing. This paper discusses the payload concept, the payload build, how the payload fits into a common bus structure and briefly how technology development mitigates risk. The telescope is now ready to be integrated into a fully functional instrument with a larger format detector. This detailed prototype can then be assessed through environmental and performance testing in preparation for a flight instrument. Flight data, provided in near-real time, is envisioned to be a key component of emerging space weather forecasting models to be used to significantly improve space domain awareness in ever more crowded low earth orbit.

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