Multichannel Thermosphere Ionosphere Photometer Scanner (MTIPS)

The Multichannel Thermosphere-Ionosphere Photometer Scanner (MTIPS) instrument proposed here is a purpose-built CubeSat scale instrument designed to provide narrowband photometric measurements of excited atomic oxygen and molecular nitrogen species for targeted nightside, dayside, and auroral zone investigations of the thermosphere and ionosphere. MTIPS provides simultaneous high-sensitivity Vacuum Ultra-Violet (VUV) photometer measurements of key atomic oxygen (135.6-nm) and molecular nitrogen Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) band emissions. MTIPS addresses the recommendation in the Decadal Survey for smaller CubeSat/SmallSat scale space missions by developing a low size, weight and power (SWAP), flight-ready VUV instrument capable of making nightside, dayside, and auroral zone measurements of the ionosphere and thermosphere. MTIPS is an enabling technology for the development of Heliophysics constellation missions, due to its superior performance at a relatively low cost. The MTIPS notional design, comprised of elements with flight heritage, is a dual-channel photometer that implements prior flight technology developments in thin film reflective coatings, compact (CubeSat-scale) electronics packaging, and high heritage photometric detectors. Specifically, MTIPS benefits from prior design and flight of the USAF CubeSat Tiny Ionospheric Photometer (i.e. high sensitivity CsI-based detector, CubeSat-scale high-voltage and readout electronics) and advances in narrowband VUV-coated optics. Proposed here is the execution of a technology maturation plan via a series of rigorous tests and photometric evaluations in relevant thermal/vacuum, launch vibration, and pre-launch humidity environments. In doing so, we will bring the integrated MTIPS prototype to a TRL 6 status at the conclusion of 2 years with sufficient system engineering, safety, and mission assurance documentation to satisfy full readiness for operational mission integration. The objective of Phase II research is to finalize the design of a SmallSat-compatible instrument, and then fabricate, assemble, test, and qualify a payload package for imaging the ionosphere and thermosphere in ultraviolet light for the purpose of deriving several key ionospheric and thermospheric environmental parameters. The Phase-I concept includes 3 channels measuring 135.6nm, LBH, and 130.4nm wavelengths. This permits imaging of UV airglow on the nightside disk at 135.6nm to derive TEC distribution and plasma bubbles at low and mid latitudes, along with auroral emissions at high latitudes. Dayside measurements of both 135.6nm and N2 LBH bands at 170nm provide disk measurements of thermospheric column O/N2 density ratio. As a community the needs/capabilities of different players have become aligned: development of small satellites and miniaturized instruments are aligned with NASA mission needs, while computational capabilities can handle large amounts of ionospheric/thermospheric data to produce a mission-applicable product, whether scientific research or operational missions. ASTRA will deliver 3 scanning photometers (one each operating at 130.4nm, 135.6nm and 170nm) with programmable scanning capabilities. Included will be a notional mission design and subordinate spacecraft design in a 27U bus with associated avionics. This is the prelude to inclusion of the MTIPS sensor in future NASA missions. (1) Combine and bring to fruition the high TRL CTIP and SIPS components, combined with the unique reflective filters into functional FUV photometers. ​​​​​​(2) Working with Cascade Optical to build a series of reflective filters at the selected wavelengths (3) Perform vibration and thermal vacuum testing of the photometer, bringing it to TRL 6. (4) Developing an OSSE (Observation System Simulation Experiment) for the photometer and developing detailed mission CONOPS.
Benefits: MTIPS addresses the NRC 2012 Decadal Strategy for Solar and Space Physics for “small space missions”. MTIPS VUV observations provide future constellations with a low SWaP, low cost sensor for global, multi-point, thermospheric and ionospheric observations of key dayside, auroral, and nightside geophysical regimes. The key parameters measured by MTIPs provide critical ionospheric, thermospheric and auroral space weather data. The auroral, ionospheric and thermospheric data provided by MTIPS makes it attractive to the US Air Force, US Navy, and the US Space Force. MTIPS obtains useful data from almost any Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission. MTIPS is highly relevant to planetary exploration, and especially Mars.