Hypersonic glide vehicles can glide several thousand kilometers through the Earth’s atmosphere at hypersonic Mach numbers. Their inherent characteristics make them difficult to detect by both ground-based and spacebased sensors. The Universitat der Bundeswehr M¨unchen aims to demonstrate the capability of the Multispectral Object Sensing by Artificial Intelligence-processed Cameras (MOSAIC) experiment to detect and track radiation signatures of hypersonic glide vehicles from Low Earth Orbit on-board the small-satellite ATHENE-1. The payload consists of a cryo-cooled mid-wave infrared sensor with a pixel count of more than 1MPx. The use of variable optics increases flexibility with regards to spatial and spectral resolution. Spectral filter selection is based on atmospheric simulations. A 25MPx color imager sensitive in the visible spectrum is implemented together with a fixed focal length lens for complementary cross validation of detection by postprocessing onground. Both imagers are processed on-board the satellite by a high-performance computer that accelerates artificial intelligence image processing methods. All components used are commercial-off-the-shelf components that are tested and modified for their application in space at the Universit¨at der Bundeswehr M¨unchen. Two test set-ups are developed to characterize the modulation transfer function of the optical systems. Besides an ISO 12233 approach in the visible spectrum, an infinite-conjugate back-illuminated set-up is implemented for the infrared system. This study outlines design drivers and their specific solution approaches for an early warning system for a small-satellite application. A brief analysis of the radiometric budget forms the basis for a further preliminary design. Finally, test set-ups for performance validation are outlined.      «

Hypersonic glide vehicles can glide several thousand kilometers through the Earth’s atmosphere at hypersonic Mach numbers. Their inherent characteristics make them difficult to detect by both ground-based and spacebased sensors. The Universitat der Bundeswehr M¨unchen aims to demonstrate the capability of the Multispectral Object Sensing by Artificial Intelligence-processed Cameras (MOSAIC) experiment to detect and track radiation signatures of hypersonic glide vehicles from Low Earth Orbit on-b...     »