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A CubeSat-Compatible Neutral Wind Sensor

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2012 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
F121-066-0565 		Solicitation Year:
2012 		Solicitation Topic Code:
AF121-066 		Solicitation Number:
2012.1
Small Business Information
CREARE, INC.
P.O. BOX 71 HANOVER, NH 03755-
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2012
Title: A CubeSat-Compatible Neutral Wind Sensor
Agency: DOD
Contract: FA9453-12-M-0342
Award Amount: $149,984.00
 

Abstract:

ABSTRACT: CubeSats provide a new, low-cost platform for space weather missions. They enable new mission paradigms, such as the ability to perform multiple measurements of the same physical phenomena globally from several satellites, in contrast to high accuracy measurements of multiple phenomena on the same spacecraft. Flight-tested neutral wind sensors must be miniaturized to fit into these much smaller platforms. Creare and its partners propose to develop a CubeSat-compatible neutral wind sensor for making vector neutral wind measurements in the thermosphere from a single CubeSat platform. The proposed sensor builds on demonstrated sensing concepts and innovative technology, such as space-compatible field-emission microtips in place of heated filament electron sources, to significantly reduce size, weight, and power. Our proposed sensor will fit into a 1U cube (10 cm by 10 cm by 10 cm) volume for integration into a 3U CubeSat, which would include all of the required subsystems necessary to obtain accurate vector neutral wind measurements from orbit altitudes between 90 and 500 km. BENEFIT: This technology represents a breakthrough advancement that will enable the gathering of scientific data about the neutral winds in the thermosphere that was previously very difficult or expensive to achieve. The payoff of this technology will enable improved modeling of satellite drag and radio wave scintillation as the neutral wind drivers are better understood. Potential spinoffs include application of innovative space-compatible field-emission technology to other space environment sensors.

Principal Investigator:

Theodore L. Beach
Principal Investigator
(603) 643-3800
tlb@creare.com

Business Contact:

James J. Barry
President
(603) 643-3800
contractsmgr@creare.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Creare Inc.
P.O. Box 71 Hanover, NH -

EIN/Tax ID: 020259551
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No