Camera design for pico and nano satellite applications

Abstract: Small scale camera is now enviable as an attractive future candidate for the
low cost Pico and Nano satellites. These small satellites provided platform
for developing cost effective applications. Well designed camera hardware
with certain capabilities can support multiple on-board applications. Small
camera can be integrated as Star Sensor, Earth detector and can be used for
Remote Sensing applications. It could be used to be specific for Earth and
Moon observation missions. Space debris monitoring, inspection of nearby
space objects especially, nearby satellites and observation of Translucent
Lunar Phenomenon (TLP) are other important candidate applications for these
low cost satellite missions exploiting the use of a small camera. These
small
low cost satellites with camera can also be used for astronomical purposes.
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate these applications and design
and construct a camera for small satellites with the range from Pico to Nano
satellite, a camera that could support single as well as multiple
applications depending on application scenario with very little or no
modification in hardware design.

Project’s main task is to develop and construct the camera. This design
involved the design of imager or sensor board along with processing board. A
preliminary but related optics assessment associated to particular
application has been carried out. Feasibility and scale of camera related to
different mission driver’s tradeoffs e.g. optics, mass, power, spatial and
temporal resolution, memory, processing or application requirements, etc.
have been investigated. A suitable imaging sensor was selected and imaging
system have been constructed & tested as the outcome of this thesis.