Interferometric Faint Object Tracker (iFOT)

ABSTRACT: Optical Physics Company (OPC) demonstrated a technology opportunity for radiation hardened star trackers. In particular, OPC has been developing an interferometric star tracker (iST) concept under SBIR contracts funded by both the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). One application of the technology is in faint object detection and tracking. Additional development is necessary to advance technology maturity to TRL 6 and to transition the technology to a Navy customer. Current iST technology maturity is TRL 5. To advance towards TRL 6, OPC is proposing to design, build, test, and deliver a flight ready interferometric faint object tracker (iFOT). The iFOT design will be based on the device developed for a Navy sponsored SBIR Phase II contract, updated for higher efficiency and enhanced sensitivity. The flight ready iFOT will be interfaced to a computer for data acquisition allowing for image storage up to the hard drive capacity of the computer. BENEFIT: Department of Defense (DoD) space programs need continued development of radiation hardened star tracker technology. Radiation hardened star trackers provide attitude information to the spacecraft after many years in orbit. This is important for long lifetime of DoD space assets, ensuring mission utility by keeping satellites pointed correctly. Star trackers are commercially available; however these are either not radiation hardened or are built outside the United States. Star trackers from outside the US cannot be used on DoD satellites due to regulations. Therefore, AFRL/RV funded several SBIR efforts to build a radiation hardened star tracker in the US. OPC has been investing in star tracker technology development with the goal of becoming a star tracker device manufacturer. OPC is building three product lines around the technology. These product lines are: star trackers for spacecraft GN & C, sensors for ISR missions for tracking dim objects of interest, and GPS Independent Navigation and Guidance on airborne platforms.