Paper 13093-23
The LUVCamera: a high-performance, low-cost, UV/optical camera for the future of space astronomy
17 June 2024 • 13:00 - 13:20 Japan Standard Time | Room G414/415, North - 4F
Abstract
Astronomy-grade cameras with robust performance and heritage in the space environment have long been costly, substantially limiting capacity for space-based astronomy and creating a resource barrier to access. Additionally, ultraviolet observations have historically been limited by the low-sensitivity of most sensors in this wavelength range. The LUVCam program is designed to address both issues, providing a high-performance, low-cost, UV/optical camera system sufficiently capable to support a wide-array of space-based astronomy missions. LUVCam features a large format, low-noise, large pixel, and high quantum efficiency, commercial-off-the-shelf backside illuminated CMOS sensor, packaged with custom built readout electronics and thermomechanical structure. LUVCam is ITAR-free, and cheap to fabricate, opening up new opportunities for access to space telescopes. LUVCam has reached TRL 6, and has passed qualification testing for operation in low-earth orbit, with competitive performance from 200-900 nm. LUVCam is manifested for multiple near-term orbital missions, including a technology demonstration CubeSat, and a UV transient astronomy SmallSat.
Presenter
Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Canada), Univ. of Toronto (Canada)
Suresh Sivanandam will present on behalf of Aaron Tohuvavohu. Aaron Tohuvavohu is a PhD candidate in astrophysics at the University of Toronto. He uses astrophysical phenomena to better understand physics in extreme conditions, and designs new experiments, observational methodology, and analytic techniques to explore these systems.