Digital Imaging Space Camera (DISC) Design and Testing

A low-cost visible imaging camera was recently developed under internal funding at the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). The Digital Imaging Space Camera (DISC) is a radiation-hardened, 1-megapixel visible imager specifically designed as an enabling technology for small satellites. Key parameters of the baseline design are: customizable optics; maximum full-frame rate, 10.43 fps @ 1 ms integration time; power dissipation, \u3c 2 watts; size, 87 x 70 x 230 mm (3.5 x 2.75 x 9.0”); and total mechanical mass, ~0.6 kg. The baseline design was fabricated and tested at SDL and performance was characterized through optical, radiometric, electrical, and thermal performance tests. The baseline design is presented along with test results