The proposed research comprises design, analysis, and ultimate fabrication and operation of a microfabricated array of quadrupole mass spectrometers (QMS). The design capitalizes on recent advances in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and molecular-beam-epitaxy (MBE) technology so that the… More

High-power Hall thrusters operating at high thrust-to-power ratios will consume and emit unprecedented amounts of xenon propellant. The inherent costs associated with xenon use have significantly hindered development of such devices. Metallic propellants, specifically bismuth, have recently… More

Aerophysics, together with subcontractor Raytheon Missile Systems, proposes to develop a Local Space Imaging System (LSIS) based on the proven AIM-9X Sidewinder missile gimbaled seeker. The LSIS will combine an AIM-9X-derived imager with an autonomous attitude determination system to provide… More

Because of its condensable nature Bi may cause unacceptable spacecraft contamination when used as a Hall thruster propellant. Experiments are proposed to determine the potential for bismuth deposition on spacecraft surfaces. The proposing team's extensive experience with bismuth technology has… More

The Local Space Imaging System (LSIS) proposed here will be capable of continuous, autonomous situational awareness of the local space about a high-value host spacecraft with minimal impact to the host. The LSIS can independently determine instrument inertial attitude and bring a high-resolution… More

Aerophysics, Raytheon Missile Systems, and Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) have teamed to provide an innovative solution that will detect, track, and neutralize small UAVs. The system, termed Peregrine, is a RADAR-cued active/passive IR countermeasure based on the Quiet Eyes turret from… More

Electric propulsion (EP) thrusters have the potential to enhance or enable Discovery-class missions. However, a significant challenge in scaling micro (<100 W) EP devices up as well as scaling macro (> 1 kW) EP devices down is the lack of a compatible neutralizer technology in the meso scale… More

ABSTRACT: Aerophysics has developed the Local Space Imaging System (LSIS) to provide proximity detection for spacecraft. The LSIS sensor is a small, bolt-on unit that meets many of the requirements for this solicitation: the LSIS is small, low-power, semi-autonomous, and two LSIS units could cover… More

ABSTRACT: The LSIS system is a gimbaled MWIR or SWIR sensor designed to operate as an all-sky SSA sensor. The sensor is designed around the AIM-9X imager produced by Raytheon Missile Systems. Phase I research focused on methods of improving the already narrow solar exclusion angle of the LSIS… More