Mahina Color Camera: Snapshot Multispectral Imaging for Lunar Applications

Objectives: The goal is to develop and test a simple multispectral framing ("snapshot") camera that will provide a combination of morphology imaging with spectral parameter mapping, e.g., for a lander or rover panoramic or stereo mast camera, the close-up camera used in a sample-acquisition system, or a sensor carried or tended by astronauts. The imaging concept is applicable to missions to essentially any planetary body; for DALI we focus on colors (wavelengths) that are relevant to the Moon. The specific lunar science goals include determination of the composition of rocks and soils, study of the evolution that turns rocks into regolith, mapping of wavelength-dependent photometric parameters, and the search for lunar horizon glow (levitated dust movement). Methods: MahinaCam is a customized, ruggedized version of a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) multi-spectral camera. ("Mahina" is the Hawaiian word for "Moon".) This camera consists of a standard COTS camera core (electronics module) with the addition of rad-hard optical interference filters deposited directly on the CMOS image sensor on a pixel-by-pixel basis in a pattern similar to Bayer color filters. For this lunar science application, we will select three medium-band (~70-nm FWHM) filters at ~450, 750, and 940 nm that permit construction of the standard spectral parameters for mapping of lunar composition (iron and titanium content) and optical maturity that were developed by Lucey et al. (1995, 1998, 2000). We will work with two commercial partners. One partner will install the custom filter set on a CMOS focal-plane array (FPA). Selection of the specific FPA will be guided by the experience of our other partner, which sells flight-qualified CMOS cameras. We will select flight-ready telecentric fore-optics, and design and build a simple thermal housing for the camera. The camera's electronics enable implementation of processing steps such as multi-frame averaging, binning, and high dynamic range, important for operation in lower-illumination conditions such as early morning, late afternoon, or at high lunar latitudes. Calibration of the fully integrated MahinaCam will be performed with measurements of spectral transmission, geometric distortion, and system-level modulation transfer function (MTF) at APL's test facility. System radiometric performance will be characterized at a set of temperatures over the operational range. Vibration and thermal vacuum testing will be performed to flight qualify MahinaCam. We will also carry out lab data collections in order to develop in-flight image calibration procedures. Relevance: The goal of the proposed effort is to develop a simple, low-cost multispectral camera that can accomplish morphological, compositional, and space-weathering mapping for lunar applications. The use of wavelength filters selected especially for study of lunar rocks and soils will provide a major increase in the science return compared to traditional RGB cameras (e.g., those on the Chinese Chang'E landers and rovers, and on other spacecraft including early CLPS landers). Therefore, the proposed work is relevant to the DALI program, which "supports the advanced development of instruments that show promise for use in future lunar missions including expected commercial ventures and NASA’s Artemis Program." At the conclusion of this DALI effort, we will have created a new imaging capability and MahinaCam will be ready to propose to NASA solicitations such as PRISM, the Artemis Deployed Instruments Program, or the Lunar Terrain Vehicle Instruments Program.

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