Development of an EMCCD space camera for UV spectroscopy: probing Nitric Oxide in the polar night

GOAL: We propose to develop a novel ultraviolet (UV) instrument, compatible with a CubeSat spacecraft, that uses a delta-doped electron multiplying CCD (EMCCD) Camera System designed to measure nighttime lower thermospheric nitric oxide at 215 nm. With this instrument, we seek to address the following: 1) Determine the altitude profile of aurorally-induced nitric oxide. 2) Determine nitric oxide's peak altitude concentration. BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide is produced in the thermosphere/ionosphere by precipitating energetic particles via auroral, solar, or other magnetospheric sources. However, its downward transport is controlled by an unknown combination of diffusion, large-scale circulation and confinement in the polar vortex. This is complex, and therefore we are currently unable to predict which geomagnetic storms will lead to nitric oxide-induced ozone depletion. Understanding this mechanism is a key heliophysics question. High latitude nitric oxide in winter has been observed from space but most were during sunlit observations. Nighttime data are vital since lack of sunlight ' the primary nitric oxide loss process ' results in longer descent times. However, to-date, nighttime measurements are inconsistent and disagreements still exist in both peak abundance and altitude. The Virginia Tech-lead PolarNOx sounding rocket's January 2020 flight was successful in measuring nitric oxide at night; however, these observations were limited to nitric oxide measurements at one time, in one location and under one set of auroral conditions. Our proposed effort will deliver a UV instrument with enhanced performance, that could have prolonged access to space aboard a CubeSat, capable of operating through the polar winter under a range of auroral conditions. APPROACH: Our approach has two focused Technical Objectives: 1. We will space-qualify an EMCCD Camera System, advancing this technology to TRL-6. This Camera System, including a delta-doped EMCCD and proximity electronics, will be designed with the instrument limitations of a CubeSat in mind. The System will be subjected to environmental testing, including vibration, thermal cycling and thermal vacuum testing, as well as a radiation test campaign designed to address displacement damage and total ionizing dose. 2. Simultaneously, we will develop a UV instrument by simplifying the PolarNOx rocket's 2-meter spectrograph. We will take advantage of the EMCCD's increased sensitivity in place of its existing CMOS detector, thus facilitating compatibility with a CubeSat and overcoming the technical challenges associated with deploying small-scale spectroscopic instruments in nanosatellites. RELEVANCE: Our work is relevant to heliophysics since we seek to: 1) Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system; and (2) Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system. If successful, we intend to propose to a future Heliophysics Flight Opportunities for Research and Technology (H-FORT) solicitation in order to address the above key science cases from space.

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 5) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.