SPEXone ready for manufacturing

Paper number

IAC-19,B1,3,1,x53586

Author

Dr. Marc Oort, The Netherlands, Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Frank Meiboom, The Netherlands, Airbus Defence & Space

Coauthor

Dr. Aaldert van Amerongen, The Netherlands, SRON - Netherlands Institute for Space Research

Coauthor

Mr. Dirk Slootweg, The Netherlands, Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. Jos Dingjan, The Netherlands, Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. Otto Hasekamp, The Netherlands, Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON)

Coauthor

Dr. Jeroen Rietjens, The Netherlands, SRON - Netherlands Institute for Space Research

Year

2019

Abstract

We have developed a compact optical instrument to characterize the microphysical properties of fine particulate matter or aerosol in the Earth atmosphere from low Earth orbit. This instrument, SPEXone, has now been confirmed to be part of the NASA PACE mission (to be launched in 2022), as a partnered payload. SPEXone is developed in a partnership between SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, Airbus Defence and Space in the Netherlands, and TNO. Funding is through the Netherlands Space Office, Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and own contributions by the partners. SPEXone is being developed using a lean approach that is not typical for this type of high-end science mission.

SPEXone is a very compact instrument that contains and intricate design. It is only 9 kg, and has a size of 37x28x15 cm3. The SPEXone design is based on a concept that maps the linear polarization state onto the spectrum, using passive optical components. This allows us to characterize the full linear polarization state for a scene instantaneously. This improves the polarimetric accuracy, compared to current spaceborne polarimeters that operate in selected wavelength bands and use rotating polarizers. SPEXone attains a polarimetric accuracy of 0.3%, which is critical for aerosol characterization. This enables us to distinguish, for example, anthropogenic from natural aerosol types. Moreover, the absence of moving parts simplifies the instrument. Due to programmatic restrictions, SPEXone needs to be developed and built at a high pace using a design to cost (DTC) approach. By virtue of being a partnered payload, the interface with the main platform is dealt with through a Do No Harm (DNH) approach. This allows us to deliver a fully tested and calibrated instrument to NASA within three years after start of the program.

We have successfully passed CDR for SPEXone and are preparing for a Manufacturing Readiness Review in August of this year. We will discuss the advantages and lessons learned from the DTC and DNH implementations that has allowed us to keep this fast development under control without compromising the scientific performance of the instrument.

Abstract document

IAC-19,B1,3,1,x53586.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-19,B1,3,1,x53586.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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