Combined High-Speed, Thermal, and Event Camera Imaging Sensor for Plume-Surface Interactions

The Plume-Surface Interaction Combined Hot-fire Imaging Camera (PSICHIC) is a novel imaging sensor that will advance the state of plume-surface interaction (PSI) observation by combining the capabilities of a high-speed camera, a thermal camera, and an event camera into a single, compact system designed to be used in stereo. PSICHIC leverages advances in camera technology to study and measure plume surface interaction PSI effects for planetary landings, initially in a terrestrial test setting and ultimately as a payload aboard lunar landers. Developed with a focus on studying lunar PSI effects, PSICHIC could also be useful for observing and modeling PSI and cratering effects for rocket-powered landings on Earth and Mars as well as for observing and imaging hot-fire rocket engine tests. PSICHIC will provide valuable new data from terrestrial hot-fire testing (and eventually from lunar landings), including data not readily observed by the human eye or high-speed cameras, that will advance the state of the art of PSI modeling and simulation. The PSICHIC system can be readily paired with existing Astrobotic PSI test infrastructure to provide a wealth of new optical and thermal data concerning ejecta physics and the behavior of regolith during lunar and planetary landings.

PSICHIC would greatly enhance NASA's ability to observe and collect data from terrestrial PSI tests and use that data to model plume-surface interactions on the Moon and other celestial bodies. In particular, PSICHIC's event camera and infrared camera components will enable researchers to observe and measure optical and thermal data not readily visible to the human eye or high-speed cameras. This new PSI data and the models that result therefrom will be a tremendous asset to the Artemis and CLPS programs as well as future Mars lander missions.

PSICHIC will also enable commercial lander providers, including Astrobotic and other CLPS providers, to more accurately study and model plume surface interactions and anticipate the effects of ejecta on their landers. It will also aid university and commercial researchers in developing a more comprehensive understanding of regolith particle physics and thermal transfer.

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