NPS Terahertz project: IR HAB flight testing and integration
Authors
Correa de Souza, Marcello
Subjects
HAB flight
terahertz
infrared
integration
interface
terahertz
infrared
integration
interface
Advisors
Alves, Fabio
Newman, James
Date of Issue
2018-03
Date
Mar-18
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Terahertz (THz) technology has become very attractive for space purposes. In this context, Department of Defense (DoD)-Space recently started to sponsor the THz Project at NPS to develop this technology for future space applications. The goal of this project is to develop a prototype THz imager that could be flown in space. Given the proposed THz architectures, the infrared (IR) imager is an appropriate first step in that direction. Therefore, this study is a relevant starting point for the THz Project at NPS since it shows the results of experiments using an IR camera integrated on high-altitude balloon (HAB) flights. The objective of this thesis is to study the integration concerns in order to evaluate possibilities and suggest appropriate configurations. This study provided relevant knowledge about a Raspberry Pi–controlled command and data handling board with a radio and an Electrical Power System for the main bus, designed 3D printed pieces, developed interfaces between cameras and boards, assembled and disassembled structures, managed weight / power / data budgets, and accomplished the launch and recovery operations. The recommendations at the end of this thesis indicate that better configurations should be adopted for the next stages of the project.
Type
Thesis
Description
Includes supplementary material
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.