Infrared (IR) space sensing missions of the future depend upon low mass components and highly capable imaging technologies. Limitations in visible imaging due to the earth's shadow drive the use of IR surveillance methods for a wide variety of applications for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) applications, and almost certainly in Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) missions. Utilization of IR sensors greatly expands and improves mission capabilities including target and target behavioral discrimination. Background IR emissions and electronic noise that is inherently present in Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) and surveillance optics bench designs prevents their use unless they are cooled to cryogenic temperatures. This paper describes the role of cryogenic coolers as an enabling technology for generic ISR and BMD missions and provides ISR and BMD mission and requirement planners with a brief glimpse of this critical technology implementation potential. The interaction between cryogenic refrigeration component performance and the IR sensor optics and FPA can be seen as not only mission enabling but also as mission performance enhancing when the refrigeration system is considered as part of an overall optimization problem.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    USAF Space Sensing Cryogenic Considerations


    Contributors:
    F. Roush (author)

    Publication date :

    2010


    Size :

    10 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    USAF in space

    Schriever, G.B.A. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1966


    USAF Space Weather Support

    British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995