Capablitity Evolutionof the Portable Optical Sensor Test (POST) Chamber

The Portable Optical Sensor Test (POST) chamber was designed to provide a low-background, long wavelength infrared (LWIR), high vacuum environment for ground testing exo-atmospheric LWIR sensors. From its original development in 1975 through its eventual mothballing in 2004, the POST chamber underwent virtually continuous improvements and upgrades, resulting in improved radiometric and goniometric accuracy. Amtec Corporation, will develop a capability evolution plan (CEP) for the POST chamber during Phase I. The goal of CEP is to establish a roadmap for the evolution of technologies and test unit hardware, software, and documentation needed to establish an operational POST chamber with the ability to meet the MDA and other user community needs to define test requirements and near-term test needs in context of POST related Test Standards and Methods. In addition to these enhancements, Amtec intends to extend the capability and utility of the existing POST chamber by establishing the ability of POST to operate in a distributed mission environment. The Phase I final report will include details of the current capabilities of the POST chamber, a discussion of requirements and identification of required maintenance needs, proposed enhancements, and CEP supported by cost and schedule estimates.