Development, fabrication, and assembly of the principal collimator of an electro-optical test bench for small and medium-size space cameras

• Grant number: 18/15303-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: July 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Cesar Celeste Ghizoni
• Grantee: Cesar Celeste Ghizoni
• Company: Opto Tecnologia Optrônica Ltda
• CNAE: Serviços de engenharia ; Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais
• City: São Carlos
• Pesquisadores principais: Daniel Moutin Segoria ; Paulo Rogério Berto ; Priscila França Guidini

Abstract

The research project presented by Opto Technology Optronic LTDA, "Opto", is closely linked to the national development and manufacture of aerospace cameras for terrestrial observation. The main objective is to improve the technology for design, manufacture, assembly and alignment of a testing station for multispectral electro-optical characterization of satellites, resulting in the manufacture of the main collimator and its essential components. This project constitutes an incremental innovation of the current state of the art of the company. The acquired technological knowledge will enable the assembly of a genuinely Brazilian testing station for the complete characterization of high resolution aerospace optical systems. The expected results, together with the availability of the company's infrastructure and counterpart resources, will provide an unparalleled opportunity for support the future projects of the Brazilian space program. Opto's experience in electro-optical test systems covers the company's areas of expertise: industrial, medical, defense and aerospace. Among the latter, the most relevant is related to the Optical Bench instrumentation for the national CBERs program, fully designed and built by Opto, MUX-GSE (Multispectral Camera / Ground Support Equipment). MUX-GSE was used for the evaluation and testing of components of the MUX and WFI refractive cameras at subsystem level and integrated with the CBERS space vehicle.The most important subsystem of a test bench for aerospace optical cameras is the main collimator. In this project, the peculiarity of the main collimator refers to the adequacy of its effective focal length and aperture for the largest possible range of functional parameters of the currently most used cameras and their consequent stable structural basis required for its correct operation. Opto, through its experience in developing and manufacturing optical products and optical componentes for aerospace and defense applications, is a company that has all the technical tools, support equipment, cleanroom infrastructure, optical and mechanical workshops, human resources and efficient project management methodology to fully support the execution of the research project. The management will be performed according to Opto's accumulated experience in other programs in the aerospace area. The execution and control phases of the project will be distributed as follows: Planning, Preliminary Project and Detailed Project including the Final Review. The highest expected results of the research project are: * Design of electro-optical test stands for multispectral reflective optical systems; * Domain of processes and procedures for integration and alignment of off-axis reflective optical systems; * Design of mechanical structures with thermoelastic stability and integration of reflective optical systems; * Manufacture of the main collimator and its essential components for performing electro-optical tests; * Maintenance and extension of the experience of the technical project team members; The technological gains foreseen for this project go beyond of simply increasing the aerospace company's portfolio. The domain of the manufacture processes of an electro-optical characterization test station for satellite cameras by a Brazilian company, besides the immediate return in the qualification of specialized personnel, guarantees to the country new opportunities within the Brazilian space program. Although this project will not reach the appropriate financial balance point, Opto understands that it will be well positioned in the future to compete for terrestrial observation satellite camera projects in Brazil. Opto bet on the continuity of the Brazilian space program focused on satellites. (AU)