Extremely Lightweight Infrared Payload (ELIP) System

To address the Army need for lightweight electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor payloads to be incorporated onto nano/microsatellites for the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) program, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a novel Extremely Lightweight Infrared Sensor Payload (ELIP) system. The proposed sensor is based on Fourier transform imaging spectrometry using high-speed EO switching and spectral tuning of thin monolithic polymer-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal modules. The innovations in the rapid EO tunable imaging Fourier transform spectrometer will enable the system to achieve a high resolution image at a fast sampling rate, with the capability of operating over a broad thermal IR band from 8 to 12 micrometers. They also enable a lightweight, low-cost, low-power, long-life and compact solution for the Army. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of ELIP by modeling and simulation and by fabricating and testing a laboratory prototype imaging sensor, to develop an initial design concept that could be incorporated into a common ORS satellite bus for nano/microsatellite and airborne platforms. In Phase II, POC plans to further refine the sensor design and develop a reliable, launch-ready, and flight-capable IR imaging sensor prototype for military in-theater ground target imaging, discrimination, and classification in the ORS program.