Abstract
The LOw Cost Upper atmosphere Sounder (LOCUS) mission has a core objective of probing the Earths meso-sphere and low thermosphere (MLT) region using THz receivers combined with an infrared (IR) filter radiometer. This will give the first comprehensive data on the energy balance and chemical processes in the MLT from direct detection, including the important atomic oxygen which until now has never been mapped by remote sensing measurements. The payload and mission design concept has very recently, and very successfully, concluded an ESA sponsored phase A0 study, led by SSTL. It is essential to build upon this success and to maintain the mission momentum towards achieving a high readiness level (TRL) and eventual flight. A key step in this process is the demonstration and proof of operation of the THz payload in a representative environment (towards TRL 6). We therefore have begun working on a hi-fidelity breadboard of the LOCUS payload suitable for both extensive laboratory and environmental testing, and with a potential for deployment on a high-altitude platform, such as NASAs Global Hawk. The latter will prove the system technical operation in a closely representative environment, and will return valuable and useful scientific data. The breadboard will consist of the system primary antenna; optical bench; one or more THz receivers; back-end electronics, and a physical realisation of the spacecraft payload bay. An extensive test programme will be undertaken to raise the payload and receiver system towards level 6, and we will seek opportunities to test the system in an observational campaign.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2015 8th UK, Europe, China Millimeter Waves and THz Technology Workshop, UCMMT 2015 |
| Publisher | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781467374347 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 26 Apr 2016 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 8th UK, Europe-China Workshop on Millimeter Waves and THz Technology Workshop - Cardiff, United Kingdom Duration: 14 Sep 2015 → 16 Sep 2015 Conference number: 8 http://www.light2015.org/Home/Event-Programme/2015/Conference/UK-8th-UCMMT-.html (Link to Conference Website) |
Conference
| Conference | 8th UK, Europe-China Workshop on Millimeter Waves and THz Technology Workshop |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | UCMMT 2015 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| City | Cardiff |
| Period | 14/09/15 → 16/09/15 |
| Internet address |
|
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The LOw Cost Upper atmosphere Sounder : The "elegant breadboard" programme. / Swinyard, Bruce; Auriacombe, Oliver; Bradshaw, Tom; Brooks, David J.; Charlton, Janet; Crook, Martin; Davies, Giles; Ellison, Brian; Emes, Michael; Friend, Jonathan; Gerber, Daniel; Gray, Caroline; Henry, Manju; Hunt, Tom; Linfield, Edmund; Navarathinam, Nimal; Parks, Steve; Rawlings, Tom; Rea, Simon; Saunders, Christopher; Savini, Giorgio; Tun, Soe Min; Walker, David; Wang, Hui; Winter, Berend.
2015 8th UK, Europe, China Millimeter Waves and THz Technology Workshop, UCMMT 2015. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2016. 7460627.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
TY - GEN
T1 - The LOw Cost Upper atmosphere Sounder
T2 - The "elegant breadboard" programme
AU - Swinyard, Bruce
AU - Auriacombe, Oliver
AU - Bradshaw, Tom
AU - Brooks, David J.
AU - Charlton, Janet
AU - Crook, Martin
AU - Davies, Giles
AU - Ellison, Brian
AU - Emes, Michael
AU - Friend, Jonathan
AU - Gerber, Daniel
AU - Gray, Caroline
AU - Henry, Manju
AU - Hunt, Tom
AU - Linfield, Edmund
AU - Navarathinam, Nimal
AU - Parks, Steve
AU - Rawlings, Tom
AU - Rea, Simon
AU - Saunders, Christopher
AU - Savini, Giorgio
AU - Tun, Soe Min
AU - Walker, David
AU - Wang, Hui
AU - Winter, Berend
N1 - No full text Eprints. HN 26/10/2017
PY - 2016/4/26
Y1 - 2016/4/26
N2 - The LOw Cost Upper atmosphere Sounder (LOCUS) mission has a core objective of probing the Earths meso-sphere and low thermosphere (MLT) region using THz receivers combined with an infrared (IR) filter radiometer. This will give the first comprehensive data on the energy balance and chemical processes in the MLT from direct detection, including the important atomic oxygen which until now has never been mapped by remote sensing measurements. The payload and mission design concept has very recently, and very successfully, concluded an ESA sponsored phase A0 study, led by SSTL. It is essential to build upon this success and to maintain the mission momentum towards achieving a high readiness level (TRL) and eventual flight. A key step in this process is the demonstration and proof of operation of the THz payload in a representative environment (towards TRL 6). We therefore have begun working on a hi-fidelity breadboard of the LOCUS payload suitable for both extensive laboratory and environmental testing, and with a potential for deployment on a high-altitude platform, such as NASAs Global Hawk. The latter will prove the system technical operation in a closely representative environment, and will return valuable and useful scientific data. The breadboard will consist of the system primary antenna; optical bench; one or more THz receivers; back-end electronics, and a physical realisation of the spacecraft payload bay. An extensive test programme will be undertaken to raise the payload and receiver system towards level 6, and we will seek opportunities to test the system in an observational campaign.
AB - The LOw Cost Upper atmosphere Sounder (LOCUS) mission has a core objective of probing the Earths meso-sphere and low thermosphere (MLT) region using THz receivers combined with an infrared (IR) filter radiometer. This will give the first comprehensive data on the energy balance and chemical processes in the MLT from direct detection, including the important atomic oxygen which until now has never been mapped by remote sensing measurements. The payload and mission design concept has very recently, and very successfully, concluded an ESA sponsored phase A0 study, led by SSTL. It is essential to build upon this success and to maintain the mission momentum towards achieving a high readiness level (TRL) and eventual flight. A key step in this process is the demonstration and proof of operation of the THz payload in a representative environment (towards TRL 6). We therefore have begun working on a hi-fidelity breadboard of the LOCUS payload suitable for both extensive laboratory and environmental testing, and with a potential for deployment on a high-altitude platform, such as NASAs Global Hawk. The latter will prove the system technical operation in a closely representative environment, and will return valuable and useful scientific data. The breadboard will consist of the system primary antenna; optical bench; one or more THz receivers; back-end electronics, and a physical realisation of the spacecraft payload bay. An extensive test programme will be undertaken to raise the payload and receiver system towards level 6, and we will seek opportunities to test the system in an observational campaign.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84974528049&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/UCMMT.2015.7460627
DO - 10.1109/UCMMT.2015.7460627
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84974528049
BT - 2015 8th UK, Europe, China Millimeter Waves and THz Technology Workshop, UCMMT 2015
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ER -