Enhanced multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor

US7631839B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Lockheed Martin Corporation · US

Inventors

• Alan L. Duncan · Sunnyvale, US
• Robert D. Sigler · Cupertino, US
• David M. Stubbs · Mountain View, US
• Eric H. Smith · San Jose, US
• Richard L. Kendrick · Mooresville, US
• Joseph T. Pitman · Durango, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 15, 2009
• Expiry date: Oct 16, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B27/58
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor (“MIDAS”) science payload system mounted on a spacecraft, including a spacecraft interface ring affixing the MIDAS science payload system to the spacecraft, and a multiple telescope array (“MTA”) further including a mechanical subsystem further including an optical bench, an optical subsystem mounted upon the mechanical subsystem collecting light and merging the light into a passive, actively-sensed or hyperspectral image, and a laser subsystem providing laser illumination for collecting active remote sensing data. The MIDAS science payload system also includes a hexapod in physical communication with and between the spacecraft interface ring and the mechanical subsystem. The MIDAS science payload system further includes a plurality of launch locks affixed to the spacecraft interface ring supporting the MTA in a stowed configuration, and a plurality of science instruments (“SIs”) mounted on the mechanical subsystem obverse to the optical subsystem, individually and concurrently sensing the passive, actively sensed or hyperspectral image.