ARCSTONE Improvements

This SBIR Phase I effort will be devoted to exploring possible improvements for the NASA ARCSTONE instrument. One possible improvement will be to utilize total internal reflection optics for the fore-optics of the system. Possible benefits include reduced polarization and smaller size. A second possible improvement will be to use an optical design that requires only one focal plane array for the entire spectral range of 350-2,300 nm. The primary advantage of this approach would be reduced size and weight. During this effort optical ray-trace designs will be developed and optimized, followed by development of preliminary opto-mechanical designs. This will enable side-by-side comparisons with the existing ARCSTONE instrument. If warranted, plans will be developed for prototype fabrication and testing in Phase II.

The improvements developed during this effort will be integrated into the existing NASA ARCSTONE project devoted to calibrating the lunar reflectance.

There are currently no envisioned non-NASA applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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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