Recent progress in the Elegant Breadboard supra-THz activities for LOCUS and a view to an astronomy application

We report on ongoing technology activities on the Elegant Breadboard for the LOCUS telescope and its 1.15THz receiver. LOCUS is a Low-Earth orbit small satellite (150kg category) with the objective of linking observations of climate, the upper atmosphere and space weather by performing simultaneous high spectral resolution measurements of molecular signatures of molecules which drive the thermal exchange in the highest layers of our atmosphere. These measurements are performed both in the THz frequency region and in a photometric narrow-band near and mid-IR channels allowing to decouple molecular abundances from temperature and pressure profiles. The elegant breadboard under development will reproduce representative optics and explore the thermal implications of a compact optical-bench with a small cryo-cooler and radiator stage for a small LEO satellite. An extensive test programme will be undertaken to raise the payload and receiver system and we will seek opportunities to test the system in an observational campaign. Technology developments will benefit future technology activities related to both a future Earth-Orbit mission and potential astronomy missions.