Developing space instrumentation for exploring airless bodies in the mid-infrared in support of NASA's Lunar Trailblazer and ESA's Comet Interceptor

Thesis

This thesis describes work that supports the development of thermal instruments for two key space missions: NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer and ESA’s Comet Interceptor. The focus is on the Lunar Thermal Mapper (LTM), designed for accurate thermal mapping of the lunar surface, and the Modular InfraRed Molecules and Ices Sensor (MIRMIS), intended to study the volatile content of a dynamically new comet.

The work presented covers the optimisation of internal temperature measurements, calibration procedures, and overall radiometric performance of each instrument. For LTM, extensive testing and calibration ensure that the instrument meets stringent performance requirements, enabling precise temperature measurements and supporting accurate mineralogical assessments of the lunar surface. Key challenges include accounting for the thermal environment and improving calibration accuracy under light conditions. For MIRMIS, the work described within this thesis develops operational simulations to guide instrument design and ensure that it meets its scientific objectives during high-velocity flybys of comets. The simulation provides a comprehensive end-to-end model, linking operational parameters to scientific outputs. This simulation is crucial for enhancing the involvement of the scientific community in the development of the MIRMIS instrument, ensuring that its design and operations are fully aligned with the mission's scientific goals.

This research forms the foundation for future instrument operations, with applications covering mission scenarios of complex thermal environments, thus contributing significantly to the scientific success of both space missions.

Authors: Elkington, NJ

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-qo0kz0jn6
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: space instrumentation; lunar thermal mapper; comet interceptor; ESA; NASA
• Subjects: Physics; Space; Scientific satellites; Planetary science