Session
Session X: Advanced Sensors
Abstract
The paper will describe how the performance of RALCam-1, the camera flying on TopSat, which is achieving 2.8m resolution at 686km altitude, has led to the development by the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory of an advanced, low cost, low mass, 1 meter resolution camera for small satellites. This camera, now under development, will fly at 600km on a small sat further advancing the scope for affordable constellations of high resolution imaging systems. The paper will concentrate on the innovative approach of the camera and how it will overcome the problems of stability of the optical bench through launch and in the thermal environment of space. It will describe the challenges and solutions related to the data dissemination and storage for such a high resolution pan and colour imager. We will end by describing how these developments will be exploited through technology transfer into the commercial sector.
Presentation Slides
A 1m Resolution Camera for Small Satellites
The paper will describe how the performance of RALCam-1, the camera flying on TopSat, which is achieving 2.8m resolution at 686km altitude, has led to the development by the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory of an advanced, low cost, low mass, 1 meter resolution camera for small satellites. This camera, now under development, will fly at 600km on a small sat further advancing the scope for affordable constellations of high resolution imaging systems. The paper will concentrate on the innovative approach of the camera and how it will overcome the problems of stability of the optical bench through launch and in the thermal environment of space. It will describe the challenges and solutions related to the data dissemination and storage for such a high resolution pan and colour imager. We will end by describing how these developments will be exploited through technology transfer into the commercial sector.
