Low-resource instrumentation for scientific measurements in planetary thermospheres

The proposed work develops new instrumentation that will be capable of measuring winds in planetary atmospheres. The instruments measure the winds in situ, meaning they measure the winds at the location of their host spacecraft. The principles of measurement are well-known and have been utilized by instruments recently flown in space. The central objective of the proposed work is to miniaturize the previous instruments so that they can be hosted by small platforms, such as cubesats and other smallsats. The method to be used in this pursuit is one of instrument development, particularly in locating places in the present designs where space, weight, and power can be reduced without impacting performance, then developing new designs for fabrication and laboratory test (also under the proposed effort). This work is well-aligned with the goals of the HTIDeS program element as, low-resource in situ winds measurements would be an enabling technology for many missions in the Earth's thermosphere, as well as having excellent application in the thermospheres of other planets. Thus the significance of the work for HTIDeS and other NASA programs is high.

Support NASA's Heliophysics strategic science objectives to understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space weather. This will be achieved by developing/demonstrating instrumentation technology necessary to address the following science goals: Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system; Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system; Develop the knowledge and capability to detect and predict extreme conditions in space to protect life and society and to safeguard human and robotic explorers beyond Earth.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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