The Ram Energy Distribution Detector (REDD) is a new CubeSat-compatible space science instrument that measures neutral wind characteristics in the upper atmosphere. Neutral gas interactions with plasma in the ionosphere/thermosphere are responsible for spacecraft drag, radio frequency disturbances such as scintillation, and other geophysical phenomena. REDD is designed to collect in-situ measurements within this region of the atmosphere where in-flight data collection using spacecraft has proven particularly challenging due to both the atmospheric density and the dominating presence of highly reactive atomic oxygen (AO). NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has a unique AO Facility (AOF) capable of simulating the conditions the sensor will encounter on orbit by creating a supersonic neutral beam of AO. Collimating the beam requires an intense magnetic field that creates significant interference for sensitive electronic devices. REDD is undergoing the final stages of validation testing in the AOF. In this presentation, we describe the LabVIEW-automated system design, the measured geometry and magnitude of the field and the specially designed mount and passive shielding that are utilized to mitigate the effects of the magnetic interference. / Master of Science / The Ram Energy Distribution Detector (REDD) is a new CubeSat-compatible space science instrument that measures winds in near-Earth space. Gas interactions with plasma in the upper regions of the atmosphere are responsible for spacecraft drag, radio wave disturbances, and other phenomena. REDD is designed to collect direct measurements within this region of the atmosphere where in-flight data collection using conventional spacecraft has proven particularly challenging. The environmental testing needed to demonstrate the sensor requires a specialized system located at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. To simulate the conditions the sensor will encounter on orbit within a laboratory requires exposing REDD to a supersonic beam of gas using NASA’s unique Atomic Oxygen Facility. Forming this gas into a beam requires an intense magnetic field that creates significant interference for sensors such as REDD. Testing in this facility requires a specially-designed sensor mount and magnetic shielding system. REDD is undergoing the final stages of validation testing in the Atomic Oxygen Facility. In this presentation, we describe the computer software-automated system for testing the sensor, the shape and strength of the magnetic field, the specially designed sensor mount, and magnetic shielding that are used to mitigate the effects of the interference.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/78711 |
| Date | 16 August 2017 |
| Creators | Williams, Jon A. |
| Contributors | Electrical and Computer Engineering, Earle, Gregory D., Scales, Wayne A., Bailey, Scott M. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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