UKSA TechDemoSat-1 Compact Modular Sounder (CMS)

2012

Project overview

The UK Space Agency TechDemoSat-1 will demonstrate the advanced capabilities of state-of-the-art small satellite technology for scientific and commercial applications. It is among the first missions to make use of the ground station facilities that are currently under construction at the UK's new Satellite Applications Catapult at Harwell, Oxfordshire. The mission concept has been industry-led - the culmination of several leading British space companies' and universities' efforts to demonstrate the UK's technical lead in space innovation. Leading the project, Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) will cooperate with the research and commercial partners providing the payloads in building, testing and operating the satellite.

Compact Modular Sounder

The Compact Modular Sounder (CMS) instrument is being provided by Oxford University's Planetary Group and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The CMS is a modular infrared remote sensing radiometer unit, designed to easily mix and match subsystems and fly multiple versions on multiple platforms at low cost by tailoring it to specific customer requirements once flight heritage has been proven.

The University of Reading are responsible for the design and fabrication of high precision narrow bandpass filters as well as long wave-pass edge filters which are used in the Compact Modular Sounder (CMS) instrument.

Delivered hardware

Description	Filter Type	Quantity	Wavelength Region	Substrate Material	Dimensions
Mid-IR Filters	Narrow bandpass filter	9 channels	6.0 - 10.8 µm	Germanium (Ge)	25.4 mm Dia x 0.8 mm T
Mid-IR Filters	Longwave-pass edge filters	1 channel	6.0 - 11.5 µm	Germanium (Ge)	25.4 mm Dia x 0.5 mm T