Rocket Flight of a Delta-Doped Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Focal Plane Array for Colorado High-Resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph (CHESS)

This project lays out a path to take an already functional focal plan array (FPA) design and advance it to a state of flight readiness for inclusion in the CHESS suborbital rocket flight. The Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph (CHESS) is a sounding rocket based far ultraviolet (FUV) instrument that will demonstrate several new technologies that will enable future ultraviolet spectroscopic missions. The CHESS payload is prototyping technologies that will increase the capabilities in the far-UV wavelength regime at the same time performing worthwhile science.

This focal plane array technology will provide faster readout times for large format detectors, making them feasible for use in survey-based astrophysics missions.

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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