This article describes the development of a space-based near-Ultraviolet (NUV) spectrograph, focusing on the intricate fabrication and meticulous evaluation of an optical slit employing advanced techniques such as optical lithography and deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). The fabrication process entails a precise definition of the slit pattern on silicon wafer substrates through optical lithography, followed by the transfer of the pattern into the substrate material using DRIE. The resultant optical slit boasts sub-angstrom surface roughness and nanometer-scale slit width uniformity, essential for achieving superior spectrographic performance. Through comprehensive evaluation methodologies, including interferometry and spectrophotometry, the optical slit’s spectral resolution, throughput, and stray light rejection are rigorously examined. These breakthroughs promise to elevate the sensitivity, resolution, and dependability of space-based NUV spectrographic instruments, enabling deeper exploration of celestial phenomena and cosmic evolution.
The 2175 Å bump shows considerable variations in its strength, width, and central wavelength when observed along different sightlines in the Milky Way and other galaxies. These variations offer valuable insights into the composition, size distribution, and processing of interstellar dust grains along different sightlines. This paper introduces a mission concept called UVESS (Ultra Violet Extinction Sky Survey) aimed at exploring the composition of the interstellar medium (ISM) within both the Milky Way and nearby Local Group Galaxies by mapping the variation of UV extinction curve slopes and the 2175 Å feature across a majority of the sky to gain insights into the makeup of the ISM. Recent advancements in UV instrumentation and technologies pave the way for the development of high-throughput instruments in compact form factors. In this paper, we outline mission science goals and instrument concept tailored for a small satellite-based platform dedicated to the study of UV extinction.
KEYWORDS: Data transmission, Star sensors, Data processing, Satellites, Power consumption, Spectrographs, Data conversion, Engineering, Logic, Data communications
We present here an STM32 microcontroller based on-board computer designed for use in small satellites and CubeSat missions that was developed using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics components. An onboard computer (OBC) is one of the important subsystems of any CubeSat mission. An on-board computer is the central brain of a CubeSat or small satellite, responsible for coordinating and controlling various subsystems to achieve mission objectives efficiently and autonomously. It performs crucial tasks such as power management, communication, command and data handling, on-board data processing and on-board software execution. This paper discusses the development of one such OBC designed for a spectroscopic mission called Spectroscopic Investigator of Nebular Gas (SING).
The Spectroscopic Investigation of Nebular Gas (SING), a near-ultraviolet (NUV) spectrograph, operates from 1400 Å to 2700 Å with a 3.7 Å spectral resolution and 1.33′ spatial resolution. Its primary objective is to study various sky regions such as interstellar medium (ISM), hot gas in supernova remnants (SNR), warm gas in planetary nebulae, and cold gas in molecular clouds. It has a 298-mm aperture telescope feeding a long slit UV spectrograph with a dumbbell slit and holographic grating. SING is designed to be mounted on a stable space platform for scanning mode of observation. This article summarizes SING’s design, calibration, and initial performance.
Star sensors are an essential instrument used to determine the attitude of satellites by identifying the stars in the field of view. The high cost and large sizes of commercially available star sensors pose challenges for small satellite missions. We at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics have developed a low-cost star sensor, StarberrySense, based on the Raspberry Pi as the main controller and built from commercial off-the-shelf components. The StarberrySense was flown on the PS4 experimental orbital platform module of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C-55 by the Indian Space Research Organization. This work describes the flight hardware, environmental tests in preparation for the flight, and in-orbit performance of our StarberrySense.
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