The Satellite/Lunar/GNSS laser ranging and altimetry Characterization Facility (SCF) and SCF-Test are respectively a new test facility and test procedure to characterize and model the detailed thermal behaviour and optical performance of Cube Corner laser Retroreflectors (CCRs) for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in laboratory-simulated space conditions, developed by INFN-LNF and in use by NASA, ESA, ASI and ISRO. Our key experimental innovation is the concurrent measurement and modelling of the optical Far Field Diffraction Pattern (FFDP) and the temperature distribution of retroreflector payloads under thermal conditions produced with a close-match solar simulator. The apparatus includes infrared cameras for non-invasive thermometry, thermal control and real-time payload movement to simulate satellite orientation on orbit with respect to solar illumination and laser interrogation beams. These capabilities provide: unique pre-launch performance validation of the space segment of Lunar/Satellite Laser Ranging (LLR/SLR); retroreflector design optimization to maximize ranging efficiency and signal-to-noise conditions in daylight. Extra Terrestrial Ranging to Unified Satellite COnstellations-2 (ETRUSCO-2 ) project goals will be achieved using the innovative test procedure described in [1].
ETRUSCO-2: An ASI-INFN project of technological development and "SCF-Test" of GNSS Laser retroreflectors arrays
ZERBINI, SUSANNA;
2013
Abstract
The Satellite/Lunar/GNSS laser ranging and altimetry Characterization Facility (SCF) and SCF-Test are respectively a new test facility and test procedure to characterize and model the detailed thermal behaviour and optical performance of Cube Corner laser Retroreflectors (CCRs) for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in laboratory-simulated space conditions, developed by INFN-LNF and in use by NASA, ESA, ASI and ISRO. Our key experimental innovation is the concurrent measurement and modelling of the optical Far Field Diffraction Pattern (FFDP) and the temperature distribution of retroreflector payloads under thermal conditions produced with a close-match solar simulator. The apparatus includes infrared cameras for non-invasive thermometry, thermal control and real-time payload movement to simulate satellite orientation on orbit with respect to solar illumination and laser interrogation beams. These capabilities provide: unique pre-launch performance validation of the space segment of Lunar/Satellite Laser Ranging (LLR/SLR); retroreflector design optimization to maximize ranging efficiency and signal-to-noise conditions in daylight. Extra Terrestrial Ranging to Unified Satellite COnstellations-2 (ETRUSCO-2 ) project goals will be achieved using the innovative test procedure described in [1].I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
