SPECTRAL SCIENCES, INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: MDA16-016

Description

This work addresses the design, development, and testing of a spectral sensor package, which can be inserted in the aft section of a re-entry vehicle (RV) to provide detailed spectral measurements of wakes and plumes. The resulting near-field spectral data will improve our understanding of the basic phenomena that impact performance and observability. Insertion of the package within the RV allows the measurement of optical phenomena that cannot be observed from the ground, but imposes severe engineering constraints such as optical access, size, and limited telemetry. Spectral Sciences proposes a rugged, miniaturized hyperspectral sensor package with high spectral and spatial resolution. The packaged also contains a data processing system that samples critical spectral and spatial locations and reduces the data to a sufficient size that can be efficiently down-linked prior to loss of the test vehicle, while retaining key wake characteristics. In Phase I, we will design the sensor and processing concept based on existing high-fidelity wake and plume signature models and the input of the RV prime and other experts and stake holders. In Phase II, we will design and test a prototype system suitable for integration into an RV, fly-along sensor platform (FASP), or a rocket booster. Approved for Public Release | 16-MDA-8917 (15 November 16)